Internet Info 1994 March/Internet Info CD-ROM (Walnut Creek) (March 1994).iso/answers/alt/sex/faq/part4

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From: [e-mail] (David Johnson)
Newsgroups: alt.sex,alt.answers,news.answers
Subject: [alt.sex] FAQ (4/4)
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Date: 15 Feb 1994 04:50:50 GMT
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Summary: frequently asked questions for alt.sex
Keywords: Parts c7-3 to End.
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Archive-name: alt-sex/faq/part4
Last-modified: 14 Feb 1994

c7-3.     The major sexually transmitted disease (STDs) and their
          symptoms (Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Genital Herpes, AIDS,
          Pubic Lice (Crabs), Nonspecific Urethritis (NSU),
          Hepatitis B are covered.)

From: [e-mail] (Michael Raymond Feely)
Date: 13 Oct 91 01:35:57 GMT

All information is courtesy of "On Sex and Human Loving", Masters
and Johnson Copyright 1985. All typos are mine, but sadly, this
newsreader doesn't have a spell checker on it. Further info on
the development times and the percentage of asymptomatic cases of
AIDS would be appreciated...

Gonorrhea
---------

Transmission:       Intercourse, fellatio, anal sex, cunnilingus,
                    kissing (infrequently) Women run a roughly
                    50% chance of contracting the disease after
                    one session of intercourse, men 20-25%.

MALE Symptoms:      Yellowish discharge from the penis. Painful,
                    frequent urination. Symptoms develop from two
                    to thirty days after infection. Roughly 10%
                    of men have no symptoms.
                    Later stages of the infection may move into
                    the prostate, seminal vesicles, and
                    epididymis, causing severe pain and fever.
                    Untreated, gonorrhea can lead to sterility in
                    a small minority of cases.

UPDATE:             Traditionally, gonorrhea in the male was
                    thought to be a symptomatic disease as
                    described above. More recently it has been
                    recognized that a significant number of males
                    have asymptomatic gonorrhea. As asymptomatic
                    infections can lead to the same complications
                    as symptomatic infections and can be
                    transmitted in the same way, it is important
                    for men to realize that an exposure needs to
                    be investigated whether or not there are
                    symptoms. Also, a complication of gonorrhea
                    not mentioned above is septic arthritis
                    (infected joint). While the infection itself
                    is easy to treat, this can severely damage
                    the involved joint (often the knee) leading
                    to a permanent disability.

FEMALE Symptoms:    Under half of women with gonorrhea show no
                    symptoms, or symptoms so mild they are
                    commonly ignored. Early symptoms include
                    increased vaginal discharge, irritation of
                    the external genitals, pain or burning on
                    urination and abnormal menstrual bleeding.
                    Women who are untreated may develop severe
                    complications. The infection will usually
                    spread to the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and
                    ovaries, causing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
                    (PID). PID, though not only caused by
                    gonorrhea, is the most common cause of female
                    infertility. Early symptoms of PID are lower
                    abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and
                    pain during intercourse.

Syphilis
--------

Transmission:       Nominally sexual contact, but can be
                    transmitted by blood transfusion or from an
                    infected pregnant woman to her fetus.

Symptoms:

PRIMARY STAGE:      A chancre sore develops at the site of
                    infection from two to four weeks after
                    infection has occurred. The chancre is
                    painless 75% of the time. The chancre starts
                    as a dull red spot, turns into a pimple,
                    which ulcerates, forming a round or oval sore
                    with a red rim. The sore heals in 4-6 weeks -
                    however, the infection is still present. The
                    chancre is usually found on the genitals or
                    anus, but can appear on any part of the skin.

SECOND STAGE:       One week to six months after the chancre
                    heals. Pale red or pinkish rash appears
                    (often on palms or soles) fever, sore throat,
                    headaches, joint pains, poor appetite, weight
                    loss, hair loss. Moist sores may appear
                    around the genitals or anus and are highly
                    infectious. Symptoms usually last three to
                    six months, but can come and go.

LATENT STAGE:       No apparent symptoms, and the carrier is no
                    longer contagious. However, the organism is
                    insinuating itself into the host's tissues.
                    50 to 70 percent of carriers pass the rest of
                    their lives without the disease leaving this
                    stage. The reminder pass into Third Stage
                    syphilis.

THIRD STAGE:        Serious heart problems, eye problems, brain
                    and spinal cord damage, with a high
                    probability of paralysis, insanity, blindness
                    or death.

From: (anonymous)

While all of the symptoms mentioned are possible (as well as
others), it usually manifests with a limited number of these
symptoms at any one time (often just one). In the past, syphilis
was known as the great imitator because it could resemble almost
any known illness (It was said that "To know syphilis was to know
medicine.") Modern diagnostic techniques now make this a much
simpler disease to diagnose, especially in the early stages. The
statement in the FAQ that later stages of syphilis are not
curable is IMHO wrong. There is some controversy on this point in
treating advanced neurosyphilis, but I believe this represents
difficulties in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment in the
short term in these patients. I believe patients who are not
successfully treated represent treatment failures not incurable
disease. Having said this, let me point out that damage by the
disease prior to treatment is not reversible, although it is
often treatable.

Genital Herpes
--------------

Transmission:       Generally by sexual contact. Direct contact
                    with infected genitals can cause transmission
                    via intercourse, rubbing genitals together,
                    oral genital contact, anal sex, or oral anal
                    contact. In addition, normally protected
                    areas of skin can become infected if there is
                    a cut, rash, sore. Herpes viruses can be
                    spread in some instances by kissing, if one
                    participant has the infection sited in or
                    near the mouth.

Symptoms:           Herpes is marked by clusters of small,
                    painful blisters on the genitals. After a few
                    days, the blisters burst, leaving small
                    ulcers. In men, the blisters usually appear
                    on the penis, but can appear in the urethra
                    or rectum.
                    In women, they usually appear on the labia,
                    but can appear on the cervix and anal area.
                    First outbreaks are accompanied by fever,
                    headache, and muscle soreness for two or more
                    consecutive days in 39% of men and 68% of
                    women. Other relatively common symptoms
                    include painful urination discharge from the
                    urethra or vagina, and tender, swollen lymph
                    nodes in the groin. These symptoms tend to
                    disappear within two weeks. Aseptic
                    meningitis occurs in 8 percent of cases, eye
                    infections in 1% of cases, and infection of
                    the cervix in 88% of infected women. Skin
                    lesions last on average 16.5 days in men,
                    19.7 in women. Secondary symptoms are most
                    prominent in the first four days and then
                    gradually diminish.

Recurrence:         None in 10% of cases. Frequency for the
                    remaining population is from once a month to
                    once every few years. The majority of
                    sufferers do not have repeat attacks after a
                    few years. Most repeat attacks are less
                    severe than the initial attack.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
-----------------------------------------

Transmission:       Sexual contact, sharing IV needles, blood
                    transfusion (Note that blood is now routinely
                    screened for HIV) Note also that the HIV
                    virus is significantly less likely to be
                    transmitted than the gonorrhea or syphilis
                    bacteria.

Symptoms:           No single pattern exists. Most common
                    symptoms are progressive, inexplicable weight
                    loss, persistent fever, swollen lymph nodes,
                    and reddish purple coin sized spots on the
                    skin (These spots are Kaposi's sarcoma, a
                    form of cancer) When symptoms appear, they
                    may remain unchanged for months, or may be
                    followed by any one of a number of
                    opportunistic infections. Typically these
                    include pneumocystis carinii, an unusual form
                    of pneumonia, fungal infections,
                    tuberculosis, and various herpes forms.
                    Treatment may fend off these infections,
                    however the typical course is for one
                    overwhelming infection to follow another
                    until the victim succumbs due to the immune
                    system's failure to return to a normal state,
                    and hence, the opportunistic infection's
                    relative freedom to wreak havoc on the
                    victim's systems. It is possible for AIDS to
                    be asymptomatic for prolonged periods of time
                    while still being contagious.

                    On the significance of symptoms of HIV
                    separate from infections:

                    While most AIDS patients do eventually die
                    of/with various opportunistic infections, the
                    significance of the chronic wasting can not
                    be ignored. In the early days of AIDS, there
                    were patients that by current definitions
                    clearly had AIDS, but were never classified
                    as such since they died of the "dwindles"
                    before acquiring an opportunistic infection
                    that would have made that diagnosis.
                    Also, there has been much discussion of the
                    minimal time until HIV seroconversion. It
                    should be noted that patients with advanced
                    HIV disease can become "HIV negative" as they
                    lose the ability to make antibodies to HIV
                    (this does not represent an improvement in
                    the condition). A final comment on HIV: the
                    opportunistic infections encountered in HIV
                    infection are generally acquired common
                    environmental pathogens or acquired from the
                    host themselves. This is why HIV wards do not
                    serve to infect all occupants with all
                    diseases present.

Pubic Lice (Crabs)
------------------

Transmission:       Nominally through sexual contact, however
                    they may be picked up through use of sheets,
                    towels or clothing used by an infected
                    person.

Symptoms:           Intense itching, usually felt mostly at
                    night. Some victims have no symptoms, others
                    may develop an allergic rash.

Nonspecific Urethritis (NSU)
----------------------------

(Most commonly - Chlamydia trachomatous and T. mycoplasma)

Transmission:       Some cases are allergic or chemical
                    reactions, and are not transmitted per se.
                    Others are through sexual contact.

Symptoms:           Similar to gonorrhea but usually milder.
                    Urethral discharge is generally thin and
                    clear. Some cases are asymptomatic.

Also:               This can also precipitate a condition called
                    Reiter's syndrome in susceptible persons.

The Facts on Hepatitis B
------------------------

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B, a potentially deadly, sexually transmitted disease,
is not selective about who it infects: anyone can get hepatitis
B. Yet, even though it affects the lives of hundreds of thousands
in the United States, most people know very little about this
serious disease.

The hepatitis B virus has been spreading rapidly in the United
States, with 14 Americans dying each day from hepatitis B-related
illnesses. Chances are you know at least one person with
hepatitis B because one in 20 Americans has been infected with
the virus.

Why is Hepatitis B Called a Sexually Transmitted Disease?

Hepatitis B is not commonly thought of as a sexually transmitted
disease. The fact is that it is commonly spread through sex, just
like AIDS, syphilis, herpes and gonorrhea. The number of
Americans who have contracted hepatitis B through sex has almost
doubled in the last decade.

Who Can get Hepatitis B?

Because it is extremely contagious--100 times more contagious
than AIDS--anyone can get hepatitis B. But you are in even
greater danger if:

o    you have had more than one sexual partner in the last six
     months
o    you have had unprotected sex (without a condom)
o    you or your partner have ever been diagnosed with a sexually
     transmitted disease (such as herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis,
     chlamydia, genital warts or AIDS)
o    you or your partner have had sexual contact with someone who
     has had hepatitis B, or someone who is in one of the
     categories listed above

What Are the Symptoms?

About half of those who get hepatitis B will suffer from an
inflammation of the liver, called acute hepatitis. Many people
with hepatitis B mistake the symptoms for other illnesses, such
as the flu, while others are more seriously affected and may miss
school or work for months. Some of the symptoms caused by
hepatitis B are:

o    mild, flu-like illness
o    skin rashes and arthritis
o    nausea
o    vomiting
o    loss of appetite
o    malaise
o    abdominal pain
o    jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)

What Happens if I Get Hepatitis B?

Those who become chronically infected with hepatitis B have
substantially higher risk of developing liver cancer than the
general population. But even if you don't get liver cancer, the
effects of hepatitis B infection can be so severe that you may
not be able to go to school or work for several months.

Then there are those who don't even know they have hepatitis B.
We call them the "silent carriers". This group of symptomless
carriers can pass the disease on to countless others unknowingly
(and may eventually get very ill themselves).

NOTE: THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE FOR HEPATITIS B although there is a
vaccine. Ask a physician for more information.

After May 1, you can call 1-800-HEP-B-873 for referral to a
physician near you who can answer questions.

Because the transmission of different STDs are not independent,
persons who acquire _any_ STD are at considerably greater risk
(epidemiologically) of acquiring other STDs. Persons diagnosed
with one STD should be examined for other STDs at that time
(Multiple infections are possible!!!). Persons who have ever had
a STD (except lice, "crabs") should be aware of whatever was done
that led them to acquire that STD.

It is now recommended that all children receive the vaccine. It
has been shown to be effective and is administered in 3 doses.
The current version is made using recombinant DNA techniques and
does NOT carry the potential for infection with other diseases,
as previous vaccines did. Currently, any adult with potential
occupational exposure to HB are suggested to receive the vaccine
(for example, health care workers, ambulance personnel). However,
there is a movement towards vaccinating all individuals [as is
economically possible] since the vaccine is very safe [no known
serious adverse reactions] and HB can be potentially fatal.

------------------------------------------

c7-4.     What are venereal warts? treatment?

From: [e-mail]

Venereal warts: incurable, but treatable

It's unfortunate that these viral infections can't be cured and I
don't even know if the treatment is sufficient, but I guess
there's nothing that can be done about it. I would like to stress
that unprotected sex with a new partner REGARDLESS of whether or
not there are any signs of warts is strongly discouraged.

There are a few treatments out there: liquid nitrogen, electro-
cauterization, laser cauterization, topical creams and liquids.

Liquid nitrogen:         can be painful, but not from the
                         treatment itself. In order for the warts
                         to stop re-appearing, your body must
                         first recognize the problem and form
                         antibodies against it. As long as the
                         antibodies keep the virus from
                         advancing, they will be less likely to
                         show up. Also, this prevents the virus
                         from spreading SOMEWHAT. It's like a flu
                         virus. If no physical symptoms show up,
                         you are unlikely to spread it. However,
                         like the flu, if symptoms do occur and
                         warts show up, it shows that your body's
                         defenses have let down their guard
                         temporarily and let that virus advance.
                         To get your immune system to concentrate
                         on the area, you must first damage the
                         skin in some way, such as liquid
                         nitrogen. This is the painful part: in
                         addition to freezing the warts, you must
                         burn the surrounding skin area to get
                         your T-cells to concentrate on the area.
                         This helps your body to control the
                         virus.

Electrocauterization:    same thing, but instead of freezing
                         them, it burns them off electrically and
                         cauterizes ("seals") the skin so that no
                         open wounds are present. First the
                         immediate infected area is numbed (small
                         needle prick and pain is over) and then
                         they are burned off. Pretty simple and
                         more preferable to liquid nitrogen.

Laser:                   haven't heard much about this, but I
                         would assume that it is more costly than
                         electro or liquid nitro. Probably uses
                         the same technique as electro, but with
                         more precision and less pain.

Topical creams:          Painless, greaseless, topical creams can
                         be helpful for some cases. EFUDEX 5% is
                         probably at the top of the treatment
                         cream list at this time. Supposedly
                         works within 1 month and acts to kill
                         the foreign tissue. I don't know if the
                         rate of recurrence is higher for creams
                         or cauterization, but that rate is
                         definitely present and depends on how
                         well your body first reacts to the
                         virus. If more antibodies are made and
                         you don't have much stress in your life,
                         you should be ok. More stress on the
                         body or other illnesses can cause the
                         virus to pop right back up again. You
                         only have one immune system, and your
                         body is host to many viruses. It's
                         difficult to fight all of them at the
                         same time.

Liquids:                 In addition to the cream mentioned
                         above, there are liquids that can be
                         injected into the area which act as
                         acids and dissolve the warts. The cream
                         mentioned above is recommended for warts
                         inside the urethra or vagina where you
                         can still see them. A cystoscopy
                         (lighted microscope inserted into the
                         urethra) is recommended to make sure
                         there are no others deeper inside. There
                         are liquids for getting at these deeper-
                         located warts.

                         Podophyllin (po-DAH-fill-in) is usually
                         injected into the urethra and basically
                         works to make the virus regress and
                         dissolve the existing warts.

                         Trichloroacetic acid is much more
                         painful and powerful in cases of
                         urethral blockage. Not recommended for
                         general treatment.

                         Thiotepa (thi-uh-TEE-puh) is another one
                         used for basically the same purpose.
                         These, however, are only used where the
                         warts can't be seen, so after the
                         cystoscopy, your doctor will probably
                         recommend one of these anyways.

As I said, there is no cure; the virus is still present even
though there may be no physical signs. I'm still not sure as to
the general scope of the rates of recurrence, but as far as I
know, there is definitely a possibility of recurrence. Consult a
UROLOGIST at first signs of any infections, don't wait for the
symptoms to go away. Almost every STD has symptoms that
eventually fade out, but that doesn't mean that your body has
conquered it. It may come back in other areas and cause
significant problems.

=================================================================

Category 8.    Contraception

c8-1.     What are the various methods of contraception? and
          their effectiveness rates? and their associated risks
          if any?

From: [e-mail] (William Burris)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1992 21:51:38 GMT

                   % of women experiencing an
                   accidental pregnancy in the
                        first year of use
      ----------------------------------------------------
                    Lowest                        Lowest
Method              Expected       Typical        Reported
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chance                   85             85        43.1

Spermicides              3              21        0.0

Periodic abstinence                     20
  Calender               9                        14.4
  Ovulation Method       3                        10.5
  Symptothermal          2                        12.6
  Postovulation          1                         2.0

Withdrawal               4              18         6.7

Cervical Cap             6              18         8.0

Sponge
   Parous women          9              28        27.7
   Nulliparous women     6              18        13.9

Diaphragm                6              18         2.1

Condom                   2              12         4.2

IUD
  Progestasert           2.0             3         1.9
  Copper T 380A          0.8             3         0.5

Pill
  Combined               0.1             3         0.0
  Progestogen only       0.5             3         1.1

Injectable progestogen
     DMPA                0.3            0.3        0.0
     NET                 0.4            0.4        0.0

Implants
  NORPLANT (6 capsules)  0.04           0.04       0.0
  NORPLANT (2 rods)      0.03           0.03       0.0

Female sterilization     0.2            0.4        0.0

Male sterilization       0.1            0.15       0.0

                   Associated Risk statistics

Activity                        Chance of Death in a Year
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Risks for men and women of all ages who participate in:
     Motorcycling                       1 in 1,000
     Automobile driving                 1 in 6,000
     Power boating                      1 in 6,000
     Rock climbing                      1 in 7,500
     Playing football                   1 in 25,000
     Canoeing                           1 in 100,000

Risks for women aged 15 to 44 years:
     Using Tampons                      1 in 350,000
     Having sexual intercourse (PID)    1 in 50,000

Preventing pregnancy:
     Using birth control pills
          nonsmoker                     1 in 63,000
          smoker                        1 in 16,000
     Using IUDs                         1 in 100,000
     Using diaphragm, condom or spermicide   NONE
     Using fertility awareness methods  NONE
     Undergoing sterilization:
          Laparoscopic tubal ligation   1 in 67,000
          Hysterectomy                  1 in 1,600
          Vasectomy                     1 in 300,000

Continuing pregnancy                    1 in 14,300

Terminating Pregnancy:
     Illegal abortion                   1 in 3,000
     Legal abortion
          Before 9 weeks                1 in 500,000
          Between 9-12 weeks            1 in 67,000
          Between 13-15 weeks           1 in 23,000
          After 15 weeks                1 in 8,700

The source is the 1990-1992, 15th Revised Edition of
Contraceptive Technology. Authored by too many doctors to cite.
However, this book is used by millions of doctors around the
world as an authority on contraception. Its authors gather their
sources from data published by several different statistic
gathering organizations (such as the Centres for Disease Control)
and then compile and interpret it in their book.
Happy Reading.

-----

From: [e-mail] (Michael Raymond Feely)
Date: 1 Oct 91 20:52:32 GMT

Nominally, the failure rates for contraceptive methods are
expressed as "number of pregnancies per one hundred user couples
per year" Thus of one hundred couples who used condoms as a birth
control method, two experienced unwanted pregnancies in one year.

Below are reproduced the failure rates for typical contraceptive
methods. My source for this is the tome "Sex A User's Manual"
published by The Diagram Group. (Berkeley Publishing Group, New
York c 1981) The list of credited contributors includes Toni
Bellefield, Medical Information Officer, Family Planning
Information Service, and D.B. Garrioch, MD, MRCOG, Senior
Registrar in Gynecology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London.

Actual failure rate -         number of pregnancies per 100
                              couples per year of use, includes
                              conception due to user's failing to
                              use the method properly, as well as
                              through method failures.

Theoretical failure rate -    number of pregnancies expected per
                              100 couples per year of use,
                              allowing only for failure of the
                              method to function when used
                              properly. Condoms breaking for no
                              apparent reason, etc, are method
                              failures.

I = less than 1
X = expected failure rate, one X per pregnancy
x = actual failure rate minus expected rate, one x per pregnancy

I                             Tubal Ligation (E 0.04/A 0.04)
I                             Vasectomy (E 0.15/A 0.15)
XXXxx                         IUD (E 1-3/A 5)
Ixxxxxxxxxx                   Combined Pill (E 1-1.5/A 5-10)
Ixxxxxxxxxx                   Minipill (E 1-1.5/A5-10)
XXXxxxxxxx                    Condoms (E 3/A 10)
XXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxx             Cap & Spermicide (E 3/A17)
                              (Rates for diaphragm are probably
                              somewhat lower)
XXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxx          Rhythm (temp) (E 7/A 20)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxx         Rhythm (calendar) (E 13 /A 21)
XXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx     Rhythm (mucous) (E 2/A25)
XXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx     Spermicides (E 3/A 20-25)
XXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx     Withdrawal (E 9/A20-25)

It is to be noted that this data is rather old, and therefore
omits one crucial form of birth control currently available - the
low dose pill. Low dose birth control pills are a more
sophisticated development of the combined pill, and function in
essentially the same way, but do not require as high an overall
dose of hormones per month, thus reducing side effects
considerably. Low dose pills may also be taken right up til
menopause, whereas it is recommended that the combined or mini
pills be discontinued around age 40-45.

The rate I remember for "No birth control" was somewhere on the
order of 80%, however, that is for a statistical sample over
time, not for "one fuck".

>I believe some women also have strong allergic reactions to
>spermicides. I would (personally) say they are a poor choice.

Independently, they are, but bear in mind that spermicides are
absolutely necessary to the functioning of some forms of birth
control - even a well fitted diaphragm is pretty much useless
without spermicidal jelly.

DIAPHRAGM
---------
(from: [e-mail])

Has a failure rate of 2% (i.e. out of 100 women who primarily use
the diaphragm, two become pregnant). Always use spermicide; both
partners _must_ learn how to place it properly. It has few
associated risks; it cannot become 'lost' because the vagina is
only a few inches long. Can 'slip' and press against the rectum;
this can be uncomfortable. Also, some men can feel the diaphragm
during intercourse. Some women have recurrent yeast infections
when using the diaphragm.

The average diaphragm costs about 20-30 dollars, but it must
first be sized and fitted by a gynecologist, so there is the cost
of a doctor's fee. Must be replaced every two years to ensure
correct fit and product lifespan. A tube of Gynol II costs around
11 dollars and is good for 24 doses of spermicide.

The major disadvantage to the diaphragm is that it must be used
one of two ways; either it is inserted before any sort of sexual
play, in which case the taste of spermicide can become an issue
if the couple wishes to engage in oral sex, or is inserted after
oral sex but before intercourse, which can be considered a major
interruption of play and may lead to not using it all.
(SOURCE: "The New Our Bodies, Ourselves" The Boston Women's
Health Book Collective, 1984. Pgs 225-228.)

A personal observation: Omaha and I rely on the diaphragm as our
primary birth control. As mentioned, she does have recurrent
yeast infection, but we both agree this is a minimal compared to
the intense, suicidal depression that came when she mixed birth
control pills and her epilepsy medication.

We are both fond of oral sex, so we use the diaphragm in the
latter way described in paragraph three. We have never failed to
used it; insertion of the diaphragm has become a major part of
our play, a way of saying "I love you, I care about you, I _will_
be responsible with your body" during lovemaking.

The diaphragm, it _must_ be remembered, is _not_ an effective
method of STD control; only a condom can do that. The diaphragm
is a reproduction control method for primary partners only!

------------------------------------------

c8-2.     What kinds of condoms are there?

(from: Steven Sharp, [e-mail])

This is a posting of information about types of condoms which are
significantly larger or smaller than average. I got it out of a
book called "The Condom Book" or something similarly imaginative.

One thing that was apparent from reading through the descriptions
was that advertising on size (or for that matter thickness or
ribbing or whatever) is often misleading. A brand which is
claimed to be smaller than average frequently isn't outside the
normal variation. There may also be differences in size based on
variations in manufacturing and these figures were probably based
on single samples. Different size measurements for different
styles of the same brand may indicate such variations or be an
attempt to provide some size variation, in which case getting the
precise style named is important. All measurements are flat and
don't take into account elasticity, which might influence comfort
when worn. Typical condom flat widths range from 2" to 2-1/8"
(meaning two and one eighth, not two minus an eight). All the
condoms listed here are both lubricated and reservoir ended.
Company names are listed in parentheses. Extra words which may
appear in the name on some packages are listed in square
brackets. It is possible I've copied some numbers wrong (and
other disclaimer noises).

Slimmer condoms
---------------
Bikini (Barnetts):                      slightly less than 2" by
                                        7-1/4", packaged in that
                                        frustrating plastic
                                        wrapper

[Sheik] Fetherlite (Schmid):            1-7/8" by 7-1/2"

Hugger (Circle):                        1-7/8" by 7-1/8"

Slims (Circle):                         1-7/8" by 7-3/4"

Mentor (Mentor):                        2" by 8", not smaller,
                                        but has adhesive inside
                                        to prevent slippage,
                                        rather expensive though

Wider condoms
-------------
Excita (Schmid):                        2-1/4" by 8-1/4", Excita
                                        Extra has spermicide

[Lifestyle] [Horizon] Nuda (Ansel):     2-5/8" head, 2-1/8"
                                        shaft, by 8-1/8"

[Ramses] NuForm (Schmid):               2-1/2" upper, 2+" lower,
                                        by 8-1/4, has benzocaine
                                        anaesthetic

Rough Rider (Ansel):                    2-1/2" by 8" thick but
                                        doesn't block sensations,
                                        raised studs

Sheik Ribbed (Schmid):                  2-1/4", forgot to note
                                        length

(Note wide variation in Sheik. Elite with spermicide and
Lubricated (with benzocaine?) are both 2-1/8". Fetherlite is
1-7/8".)

Trojan-Enz Lubricated (Carter-Wallace): 2-1/4" by 8"

Longer condoms
--------------
Man-form Lubricated (Protex):           2" by 8-3/4" long
                                        packaged in that
                                        frustrating plastic
                                        wrapper

[Trojan] Naturalube (Carter-Wallace):   2" by 8-5/8"

=================================================================

Category 9.    Myths

A. You can't get pregnant...
   1. if it's the first time your having sex.
   2. if she doesn't reach orgasm.
   3. before she has her FIRST period.
   4. doing it standing up.
   5. douching with Coke (or any other soft drink) right
      afterwards.
   6. if you piss afterwards.
   7. from anal sex.

B. Masturbation causes...
   1. blindness.
   2. hair to grow on your palms.

C. No one ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, *ever*, EVER, *EVER*
   makes an irrelevant post to alt.sex.

D. People read the FAQ file first, before asking the net about
   something.

E. Alt.sex is a bboard read by only 10 000 people.

F. Sex is evil.

G. Women can't enjoy sex.

=================================================================

Appendix 1.    List of Contributors

(NOTE:    If you find something you've written which is not
          attributed properly, tell me!)

The first contributor has to be Tony Chen. Thank you Tony.
[e-mail] (Arthur Bernard Byrne)
[e-mail] (Alan Coopersmith)
[e-mail] (Bronwyn J S Hoon)
[e-mail] (William Burris)
(Carole Ashmore)
[e-mail] (Christopher L. Wood)
[e-mail] (Anne Duvall)
[e-mail] (Edward L. Stauff)
[e-mail] (Elf Sternberg)
[e-mail] (The Bedroom Commando)
[e-mail] (Peter L. Hurd)
[e-mail] (Ian Ballantyne)
[e-mail] (The Iconoclast)
[e-mail] (Rebecca Radnor)
[e-mail] (Jonathan I. Kamens)
[e-mail] (Klaus Ole Kristiansen)
[e-mail] (Atomic Playboy)
[e-mail] (Loredich)
[e-mail] (Jim Markley)
[e-mail]
[e-mail] (Michael Raymond Feely)
[e-mail] (Peter A. Merel)
[e-mail] (Raymond Peck)
[e-mail] (Steven Sharp)
[e-mail] (Sorc Kirishi)
[e-mail] (Sharon Tsou)
(The Contrivor)
[e-mail] (Tom McDonald)
[e-mail] (Travis Lee Winfrey)
[e-mail] (Christopher K. Howard)

=END OF FAQ FILE=================================================