How effective is the male condom against pregnancy?
If women use the male condom every time they have sexual intercourse and follow instructions every time, it is 98% effective. This means that if 100 women use the male condom all the time and always use it perfectly, 2 women will become pregnant in a year.
It’s obvious that the male condom is most effective against pregnancy when it is used all the time and always used correctly. If women use the male condom, but do not use it perfectly, it is 82% effective. This means that if 100 women use the male condom, but do not use it perfectly every time, at least 18 women will become pregnant in a year.
When used all of the time and when used correctly, condoms are very good at preventing pregnancy. Most condom failures are because of improper use. Using out-of-date condoms is another reason that condoms break. Always make sure you have a prescription for Emergency Contraception (Plan B) or know where to buy it from a pharmacy over-the-counter.
How effective is the condom against STDs?
The answer to this question partly depends on which type of condom used. Latex condoms provide excellent protection against some STDs. Polyurethane condoms provide some protection against STDs, although it is still not clear just how much. Remember, lambskin condoms, or natural condoms, don’t protect against STDs. The pores are too large to protect against the small particles that cause some STDs.
The answer to this question also depends on which type of STD. Latex condoms protect against only certain types of STDs. STDs can be spread by sexual activity in a few different ways. They are effective against STDs that travel in bodily fluids (blood or semen), such as the HIV/AIDS virus, hepatitis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Condoms are much less effective against STDs that are caused by organisms that live in sores on the genitals, such as syphilis. STDs such as herpes and human papillomavirus (also known as genital warts) that occur on the genital skin can get passed from one partner to another even if a condom is used. Condoms still lessen your chance of a STD.
Most importantly, the effectiveness of a condom against STDs depends on whether the condom is stored correctly, and is used correctly and all of the time.
Latex and polyurethane condoms are not 100% effective in preventing STDs, so your best protection. is not to have sex. If you make a decision to have sex, condoms are your best protection. You can also lessen your chance of getting an STD by having sex with only one person who does not have an STD and who is not having sex with anyone else.