how effective is a condom?

Question

do they protect alot from pregnancy?
i dont want to start the pill
so i want to know if just using condoms will be fine enough.

Answer 1

Very effective, if you use them right!! That means putting them on before any genital contact, putting them on right, withdrawing once the guy has come and making sure none spills out the bottom. Not using two at once, not using them with lubricants that could make them break, not using them past the expiry date and not storing them in a hot place. You can take the morning after pill if it breaks.

Do all that and you'll be fine unless they have a microscopic hole or something. The stats that are 85% effective etc include people who use them wrong, re-use them, and forget them totally!

Answer 2

From the Petite Amie Experts:
www.petiteamie.com

Over the course of 1 year, 15 out of 100 typical couples who rely on male condoms alone to prevent pregnancy will have an accidental pregnancy. The use of the female condom is a little less reliable and 21 out of 100 couples will have an unintended pregnancy.
Of course, these are average figures and the chance of getting pregnant depends on whether you use this method correctly and every time you have sex. In fact studies show that, although it's possible for condoms to break or slip during intercourse, the most common reason that condoms "fail" is that the couple fails to use one at all.

Answer 3

Most condoms have effective rates of 90%+ when used correctly every time.

Obviously the only "sure" way to avoid pregnancy is abstinence, but condoms do protect a great deal against pregnancy. The pill is higher in effectiveness though.

Answer 4

Condoms are not the greatest way, at all. There are a lot of methods for birth control besides the pill--IUD's, the shot, the patch, the ring... have you looking into these?

I suggest that if you're only using a condom that you're having sex with someone you'd be comfortable having a baby with. You should regardless, but ESPECIALLY while using a condom. I wouldn't trust them as my birth control method...

Answer 5

i took child developement for 2years and we went over a semester of birthcontrol and ill recape everything you need to know.
Condoms are usually made of latex or polyurethane. If possible you should use a latex condom, as they are slightly more reliable, and in most countries they are most readily available.

Latex condoms can only be used with water based lubricants, not oil based lubricants such as Vaseline or cold cream as they break down the latex. A small number of people have an allergic reaction to latex and can use polyurethane condoms instead.

Polyurethane condoms are made of a type of plastic. They are thinner than latex condoms, and so they increase sensitivity and are more agreeable in feel and appearance to some users. They are more expensive than latex condoms and slightly less flexible so more lubrication may be needed. However both oil and water based lubricants can be used with them.

It's not clear whether latex or polyurethane condoms are stronger – there are studies suggesting that either is less likely to break. With both types however, the likelihood of breakages is very small if used correctly.

The lubrication on condoms also varies. Some condoms are not lubricated at all, some are lubricated with a silicone substance, and some condoms have a water-based lubricant. The lubrication on condoms aims to make the condom easier to put on and more comfortable to use. It can also help prevent condom breakage.

Condoms that have been properly tested and approved carry the British Standard Kite Mark or the EEC Standard Mark (CE). In the USA, condoms should be FDA approved, and elsewhere in the world, they should be ISO approved. To find out more about condom testing see our Condoms history, effectiveness and testing page.

Condoms have an expiration (Exp) or manufacture (MFG) date on the box or individual package that tells you when it is safe to use the condom until. It's important to check this when you use a condom. You should also make sure the package and the condom appear to be in good condition.

Condoms can deteriorate if not stored properly as they are affected by both heat and light. So it's best not to use a condom that has been stored in your back pocket, your wallet, or the glove compartment of your car. If a condom feels sticky or very dry you shouldn't use it as the packaging has probably been damaged.



If a condom breaks during sexual intercourse, then pull out quickly and replace the condom. Whilst you are having sex, check the condom from time to time, to make sure it hasn't split or slipped off. If the condom has broken and you feel that semen has come out of the condom during sex, you should consider getting emergency contraception such as the morning after pill.

used properly, a condom is very effective at reducing the risk of being infected with HIV during sexual intercourse. Using a condom also provides protection against other sexually transmitted diseases, and protection against pregnancy. In the laboratory, latex condoms are very effective at blocking transmission of HIV because the pores in latex condoms are too small to allow the virus to pass through. However, outside of the laboratory condoms are less effective because people do not always use condoms properly.

Condoms are the only contraceptive that help prevent both pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV) when used properly and consistently.
Condoms are one of the most reliable methods of birth control when use properly and consistently.
Condoms have none of the medical side-effects of some other birth control methods may have.
Condoms are available in various shapes, colours, flavours, textures and sizes - to increase the fun of making love with condoms.
Condoms are widely available in pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores. You don't need a prescription or have to visit a doctor.
Condoms make sex less messy.
Condoms are user friendly. With a little practice, they can also add confidence to the enjoyment of sex.
Condoms are only needed when you are having sex unlike some other contraceptives which require you to take or have them all of the time.

at anytime i ever used a condom the proper way without being on birthcontrol i never EVEr got pregnate but you still have that chance of beocming pregnate

Answer 6

you'll do fine but make sure he uses two of them i honestly dont think a pill will stop you from getting pregnant cause if you miss one then you miss another and there you have it its possible you can get pregnant just by missing one pill so i think a condom is effective enough

Answer 7

if you use a Trojan condom that is new and isn't ripped or has no holes in it, usually 95 to 99% effective. use with care.

Answer 8

Reliability about 85%, and this is partly due to people not using them properly or not putting them on right.

Pill is more reliable, as long as you remember to take it!

I would recommend using both to be safe.

Answer 9

some condoms i believe are 99.9% effective