Condoms

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How effective is it

Theoretically, if the condom were used consistently and correctly, it should prevent pregnancy 97% of the time. The actual effectiveness among users, however, is only between 80% and 90%. This difference is due to:

• the occasional rupture of a condom during intercourse
• semen spilling from a condom during withdrawal
• delayed placement of a condom on the penis (penis comes into contact with vagina before condom is on)
• rupture due to manufacturing defects (rare)
• failure to use a condom during each act of intercourse

For the same reasons, the actual effectiveness of the condom against the transmission of STDs also drops.

It should be noted that only latex and polyurethane condoms, but not those made of natural animal membranes, effectively prevent the spread of viral infections such as HIV.

Lubricated condoms that have the spermicide (sperm-destroying agent) nonoxynol-9 added to the lubrication, may decrease the possibility of pregnancy and STD transmission (nonoxynol-9 also kills many STD viruses including HIV). The addition of spermicide to the lubricant is an extra precaution taken in case a small amount of semen does escape from the opening of the condom. Using these condoms alone is not as effective as using a condom along with a separate spermicide.