HOW WELL DOES A CONDOM WORK?

HOW WELL DOES A CONDOM WORK?

If a condom is used regularly and correctly, it should prevent pregnancy 97% of the time, and prevent the spread of most STDs. The actual effectiveness among users, however, is only 80 - 90%. This is due to:

• Break in condom due to manufacturing problems (rare)
• Failure to use a condom during each act of intercourse
• Occasional tear of a condom during intercourse
• Semen spilling from a condom during withdrawal
• Waiting too long to put a condom on the penis (penis comes into contact with vagina before condom is on)

Condoms that contain spermicides may slightly further reduce the risk of pregnancy. However, they are no more likely to reduce the risk of HIV or STDs than condoms lubricated with other substances.

Condoms are available without a prescription and are inexpensive. You can buy them at most drugstores, in vending machines in some restrooms, by mail order, and at certain health care clinics.

DISADVANTAGES

• Allergic reactions to latex condoms are rare, but they do occur. (Changing to condoms made of polyurethane or animal membranes may help.)
• Friction of the condom may reduce stimulation of the clitorus and lubrication, making intercourse less enjoyable or even uncomfortable. (Lubricated condoms may reduce this problem.)
• Intercourse also may be less pleasurable because the man must pull out his penis right after ejaculation.
• Since the condom must be put on when the penis is erect, but before contact is made between the penis and vagina, there is usually a brief interruption during foreplay. Many couples solve the problem by making the process of placing the condom on the penis part of foreplay.
• The woman is not aware of warm fluid entering her body (important to some women, not to others).