Conception among prostitutes in Yoshiwara area is on the increase. Seventy-one per cent have conceived, and 62.5% have had abortions since becoming prostitutes. Comparing this rate with 45.3%, that is for the whole of Tokyo, it is very high. Thus birth control, of venereal disease has become a great problem in Yoshiwara.
As a preventive we have always advise, does not satisfy the male customers and chemical contraceptives are scarcely used. So, since the end of 1954 we have been prescribing Ben and ring, etc., devices which are used by women which are not so troublesome and are useful contraceptives. They have been used only by those who apply for them being not yet permitted by the Minister of Health and Welfare.
When people contract Venereal Disease, especially Gonorrhea, a week of antibiotic therapy with mycillin, aureomycin, etc., with the Ben still in situ is ineffective. After removal of the Ben, therapy is effective in three days. It appears that gonococcei remain trapped between the Ben and the cervix.
In our view, therefore, pipe-form Ben is not a suitable contraceptive device for prostitutes.
