For the second year in a row, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the rates of infection for the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis—have steadily increased, to an estimated 19 million total cases in 2007. Compared with 2006 rates, gonorrhea was up by 5.5 percent and syphilis 12 percent. The CDC cited increased use of the drug methamphetamine, insufficient funds for public health initiatives, lack of access to STD testing and unprotected sex with multiple partners as contributing factors. Condoms significantly decrease transmission risk.
Proper condom use every time one engages in sexual intercourse can decrease the risk of contracting STDs.
