Chicago
One interesting aside on protection...
Some people suggest that the infection rate among some sex workers may be lower because they are better about using protection...haven't seen actual data to support that idea, though.
The female condom (when used correctly) MAY provide a bit more protection from skin based diseases like Herpes because of the larger coverage area. While I've never seen any sort of studies on this, the theory is at least sound. (Please note that I say "a bit more protection" and not total protection. Unless you're saran wrapping from the thighs up to several inches above the genitals, herpes transmission is still a risk. 
) Since FC use is pretty rare outside of the companionship realm in the US-I've never seen female condoms used by civvies, except in situations where a lady or gent knows/has been introduced to them by way of a companion-one could infer that ladies who use FCs may indeed have a lower risk. Again, we're running on logic here, rather than actual studies, but food for thought, nonetheless. As for the other STD baddies, a number of studies do indeed support that companions (including street level providers) have a lower rate than civilian ladies. If ever we needed proof in the power of the condom...
Some people suggest that the infection rate among some sex workers may be lower because they are better about using protection...haven't seen actual data to support that idea, though.
The female condom (when used correctly) MAY provide a bit more protection from skin based diseases like Herpes because of the larger coverage area. While I've never seen any sort of studies on this, the theory is at least sound. (Please note that I say "a bit more protection" and not total protection. Unless you're saran wrapping from the thighs up to several inches above the genitals, herpes transmission is still a risk. ) Since FC use is pretty rare outside of the companionship realm in the US-I've never seen female condoms used by civvies, except in situations where a lady or gent knows/has been introduced to them by way of a companion-one could infer that ladies who use FCs may indeed have a lower risk. Again, we're running on logic here, rather than actual studies, but food for thought, nonetheless.