Are condoms the only effective way of preventing sexually transmitted infections?

Besides completely avoiding sex, condoms and femidoms are the only effective method of preventing STIs. Other contraceptive methods, such as the diaphragm or the pill, do not prevent the spread of STIs, only help prevent pregnancy. Condoms protect against STIs by cutting off most skin to skin and bodily fluids contact during sex. However, condoms and femidoms are only effective at preventing skin to skin contact on parts of the body they are covering, so any sores not covered by the condom can spread the infection to your partner.