Edited by Adrian Mindel. £19.95; Pp 230. London: BMJ Books, 2000. ISBN 9780727912671

Considering we inquire about or promote the use of condoms with each and every patient we see in GU/HIV clinics, it's extraordinary how little we know about them. “Penis protectors” have come a long way since they were used in battle, cast to size, and made from goat bladder, although “natural” condoms can still be obtained today from the caeca of New Zealand lambs. Thanks to Charles Goodyear, the birth control movement, and the HIV epidemic the condom has enjoyed a renaissance and with more stringent quality control and legal standards, has become a life saving device. The chapter on latex condom manufacture was fascinating and gives almost enough detail to allow you to try it at home!

Each year 8–10 billion condoms are used worldwide although an estimated 15 billion are required to protect adequately against HIV/STDs. The chapter outlining the effectiveness of condoms in preventing STIs was clearly set out with an excellent summary table outlining data and references. There was a fascinating chapter on how the commercial sector has risen to the challenge of global condom distribution through social marketing. By using pre-existing infrastructure, supplies to Africa have increased from 45.8 million in 1987 to 264.5 million in 1990. In Thailand by targeting commercial sex workers through “the 100% condom programme” usage rates have increased from 14% in 1982–9 to 93% in 1993 with STI cases in government clinics dropping from 237 000 to 39 000. In the chapter on condoms and commercial sex there was a fabulous table summarising different condom usage rates by CSWs in developing countries.

The condom should probably receive more credit as a contraceptive device. Failure rates diminish with increasing experience and it may be a suitable long term option for some women when combined with knowledge of fertile days and progesterone only emergency contraception. There were interesting discussions on the use of condoms for anal sex, the pros and cons of non-latex condoms, female condoms (becoming increasingly popular, especially in Zimbabwe), and recent developments in spermicides and virucides.

In summary, condoms are highly effective, cheap, and largely free of side effects. This book left me with a renewed belief that they should be promoted at every opportunity and efforts to make them universally available should continue unabated. I would highly recommend this book to anyone working in the field of sexual health.