What reasons do condoms break for? And what are the chances?

Answer 1

Most condoms made by major manufacturers are good quality, and breakage/leakage rates are carefully monitored in manufacturing. The latex CAN degrade by age---which is why they have expiration dates---and excessive heat/temperatures can also ruin the rubber, which is why keeping them in the glove compartment of your car is a Real Bad Idea.

From what I understand, the fastest way known to ruin a condom is to use a non-compatible lubricant with it. If you use anything with a petroleum base, like Vaseline, it will literally MELT.

Also, I checked a general reference (Guide to Getting it On, by Paul Joannides, 4th edition; Goofy Foot Press---probably the best, and certainly funniest, general sexuality book)---he mentioned a researcher (p. 578: Paul Voeller; no other citation listed) found that hand creams of ALL types and body powders will seriously weaken and destroy condoms. "Almost any type of hand cream will weaken a latex rubber by 90% in less than 60 seconds, especially those that contain mineral oil."

Moral of the story: USE ONLY lubricants that are marked as LATEX-COMPATIBLE.

There's also a reference that condoms may burst if you don't squeeze the air out of the tip before rolling it into place down the penile shaft. I've only had one condom break during intercourse (very horrifying experience; thank goodness for the morning-after pill!)---no idea why it broke, BUT if I was having prolonged intercourse, I'd pause and check to make sure the rubber was still intact.

I've heard that condom failure rates are based upon use for conventional vaginal intercourse, and there are anecdotal stories that **they may be slightly more likely to break** during anal intercourse, but have no hard data concerning this. (You're on your own for the chances in general; maybe check the Planned Parenthood site?)

From what I understand, most "contraceptive failures" on condom usage are associated not with breakage, but with failing to put the thing on early enough (before ANY penetration occurs), or with not hanging onto it during withdrawal, and the condom slipping off.

In summary: Buy nationally-known brands; check expiration dates; keep them at room temperature; use only LATEX-COMPATABLE lubricants; check the condom if you're having prolonged or really energetic sex. And always use a fresh new condom, each time, every time, whenever you're having penetrative intercourse, to reduce the chances of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

1. if they are old they can break from being too dry or weakened by the lube or spermicide on them.

2. they can also break if they are too small - always be sure the guy is using the correct size (to point though, too big and it can slip off and be hard to retrieve - not pleasant)

3. if you don't leave a "collection pocket" at the top, it can burst from the sudden "fill".

In these three situations, your chances are high if you don't follow the "rules". To be more safe, try lambskin condoms. They are more expensive, but worth the extra for safety and pregnancy prevention.

Answer 3

A condom could break if there is not enough lubrication or if the condom is latex and you use vaseline as a lubricant it could break. Another way is if you put two condoms on at once, that would cause a hole in the latex.

Answer 4

it depends on the brand of the condom, it only happened to me twice in all my years, but when they broke i was trying to reach her stomach with force! :) and the chances are slim

Answer 5

When you put them on wrong or use them pass their expiration date. Chances are less when you sure them right.