THE USE OF PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN AS A CRITERION FOR CONDOM EFFECTIVENESS

A series of articles recently published in the Journal reported on the use of pre- and postcoital levels of prostatespecific antigen (PSA) in vaginal fluid as a criterion for the effectiveness of condoms. The authors of course emphasized and interpreted the absence of PSA in the vagina as proof of the good quality of condoms as well as the reliability of mechanical contraception. However the referenced articles do not deal with female PSA (refer to Zaviacic and Ablin and the references therein) that as by the male prostate is generated by the female prostate. Moreover there is no mention of either a possibility of the presence of PSA in the vagina of a healthy woman or the significance of the female prostate and a woman’s sexual life in this possible vaginal PSA positivity. (excerpt)