[grantbachman]

I would sign up for this procedure in a heartbeat, but it still doesn't get around the (albeit not perfect) STD protection condoms can provide. If this takes off, people probably won't wear condoms most of the time, and the number of people being diagnosed with STD's will skyrocket.

[matwood]

If this takes off, people probably won't wear condoms most of the time, and the number of people being diagnosed with STD's will skyrocket.

I don't understand this thinking. To me condoms have always been about STD protection and not pregnancy prevention. I'd like to think for most people this idea will not change. I mean if you barely know a girl and she tells you that she's on the pill so you don't need a condom that should be a giant, screaming in your ear red flag to put your clothes back on and run home. I don't see how this will be any different if a guy tells a girl the same thing.

[hucker]

I'm just curious, where do you live? I live and attend university in Norway, and I must say, I don't think I know anyone that uses condoms on regular basis. Every girl I know uses an IUD or is on the pill, and most people I know get checked regularly. I know Norway is the "world leader" in one night stands [1], and has one of the most well educated populations in the world. Still, condom use is abysmally low. I wonder why this is? Every time I go to the states, I'm reminded how different the "average american youth" views the condom.

[1] http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article633160.ece

[matwood]

The US. Keep in mind I went to college over ~10 years ago.

From college on most women I know were on some form of birth control to the point where I assumed most women are. Post high school, condoms were never about stopping pregnancy but avoiding STDs.

[colanderman]

Most people in the States have never heard of IUDs sadly. That leaves condoms as the primary hormone-free contraception option.

[grantbachman]

I think for most people it's about pregnancy prevention and not STD prevention. Ask any college kid why he wears a condom, he'll tell you it's because he doesn't want kids right now, not because he's afraid of getting STD's. Although I agree STD prevention is a great ancillary benefit, and it's why I'd still wear one even after an operation like this. But tell a 20 something college kid he won't have to worry about unwanted pregnancies if he get's this operation, the first thing out of his mouth will be an exuberant declaration of how he won't have to worry about buying condoms anymore.

[hoprocker]

Could be. The question you suggest is then: do we keep this off the market to protect humanity from itself? Should we retract oral contraception on the same grounds? There are many inferences that could be hand-waved here, but, fundamentally, RISUG increases the range of options related to reproductive choice, no more.

[grantbachman]

No, I'm not suggesting that at all, merely stating an observation. As long as people know the operation doesn't protect you from contracting STD's, that's good enough for me. It's their choice whether to still use a condom or not. In my opinion it can't get to market fast enough! Even if it doesn't end up being 100% effective, it's another layer of protection.

[hoprocker]

Education is always important, agreed.

[city41]

This seems targeted as an alternative to a vasectomy, which also does not prevent STDs.

[grantbachman]

If the operation was cheap enough, I'm betting the younger generation will use it as an alternative to condoms, then get it reversed when they're ready. I'd get it done as soon as it came to the US, and I'm only 22. One less thing to worry about.