Condom use can speed up regression of HPV-associated lesions.

A study of over 100 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN, a precursor of cervical cancer) and their male sexual partners indicates that consistent condom use can speed up regression of HPV-associated lesions and infection. The CIN regression rate at two-year follow-up was 53% for the 64 women in the condom-use group compared with 35% for the 61 women in the non-condom group. The rates of HPV clearance were 23% and 4% respectively. Of two types of penile lesions in the partners, flat ones regressed faster in the condom-use group, with median regression time shortening from 13.9 months to 7.4 months, whereas there was no difference found for papular lesions. Thus it appears that condom use promotes regression of CIN lesions, clearance of HPV in women, and regression of flat penile lesions in men, presumably by blocking repeated transmission and re-infection between partners. (1,2)

(1.) Bleeker MC, Hogewoning CJ, Voorhorst FJ, et al. Condom use promotes regression of human papillomavirus-associated penile lesions in male sexual partners of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. International Journal of Cancer 2003; 107(5):804-10.

(2.) Hogewoning CJ, Bleeker MC, van den Brule AJ, et al. Condom use promotes regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and clearance of human papillomavirus: a randomised clinical trial. International Journal of Cancer 2003 ;107(5): 811-16.