Many women living with AIDS have been infected through heterosexual sex. The first line of defense against AIDS in heterosexual sex, as well as gay sex, is to insist on the use of a condom. 

Women have sometimes been confused about whether it was appropriate for them to plan to have sex, by carrying condoms.  Under the outdated "good" and "bad" girl view, "good" girls do not plan for sex.  To protect their own health, all women need to become "sensible" women and plan for sex. 

Women can take charge of their own protection by using a female condom, a product which merits much more media attention and publicity than it has thus far received.