National Condom Day – falling on Valentine’s Day - should be marked in the diary as the date to take responsibility for your sexual health, according to leading sexual and reproductive healthcare organisation, Marie Stopes International.

“There are some things that no Valentine deserves to be given – including a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or an unplanned pregnancy,” Ms Jill Michelson, Acting CEO of Marie Stopes International, said.

National Condom Day was established by Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia to encourage all sexually active people to use condoms in order to curtail the spread of STIs.

The use of condoms when engaging in sexual activity can significantly reduce the risk of STI transmission by as much as 85%.

“National Condom Day should not only encourage people to use condoms, but also remind people to have regular sexual health check-ups and look after their sexual health,” said Ms Michelson.

The condom can be traced back to Ancient Egypt. The oldest illustration of a condom was found in Egypt and dates back more than 3,000 years. Mass production of condoms began in 1844 when Charles Goodyear patented the vulcanisation of rubber. Today condoms are widely available, with between 6 and 9 billion male condoms and 12 million female condoms being distributed worldwide. The condom remains popular in Australia also – both as a contraceptive method and for protection against STIs.

Findings of a recently commissioned study by Marie Stopes International, Australian Men's Attitudes to Contraception and Vasectomy, found that 69% of men surveyed use condoms. Condom usage was highest among 18-29 year olds at 80%. Of concern, however, was the finding that nearly a quarter of men (24%) surveyed use unreliable methods of contraception, including the withdrawal and rhythm methods.

In spite of their popularity STIs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are continuing to rise, particularly among young people aged 15-29. According to Ms Michelson, “Chlamydia is now the most frequently reported infection in Australia, with 41,138 notified cases in 2005, an increase of 13.6% over 2004 rates.”

“At a time when STI rates are increasing and unplanned pregnancies are a major issue, it is concerning that men (and women) are still using unreliable methods of contraception. Condoms are the only form of contraception to help prevent both STIs and pregnancy,” said Ms Michelson.

“We urge sexually active people to think about both their own sexual health and that of their Valentine on National Condom Day by wearing a condom when having sex,” she said.