Condoms are an extremely popular method of contraception, widely used by countless people due to their numerous benefits. Still, anyone who has ever used one has certainly asked the question, “Exactly how effective are condoms?”
The short answer is – they are usually very effective. But this topic requires a closer look.
The Basics
The term condom can actually refer to two different types of products: the male condom and the female (or internal) condom. Since the first association with the term condom is the former variety, this article will focus on them. Therefore, when we say “condom”, we are referring to the male condom.
The condom is a thin pouch (or sheath) worn over the penis during sexual intercourse. Usually, they are made of latex, but plastic (polyurethane, polyisoprene, or nitrile) can also be used. Additionally, there are also “lambskin” condoms, as well as condoms made from other natural membranes, but these are not as popular.
The condom is a pretty straightforward method of contraception. It is a barrier which stops semen from entering the vagina, thereby preventing pregnancy. This also makes it effective against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
The Effectiveness
Under ideal circumstances, condoms prevent pregnancy 98% of the time. But since the circumstances aren’t always ideal, there are factors which can reduce their effectiveness (more on this later). As you can see, this is a very high percentage. As high as it may be, though, it is not 100%, meaning there is still a chance of pregnancy even if you correctly use condoms during every intercourse.
In addition, condoms also provide protection against STDs for both partners. This sets them apart from other methods of contraception. They can greatly reduce the risk of contracting HIV, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, herpes, etc.
This is because a condom can stop you from being exposed to bodily fluids and can also prevent skin-to-skin contact. Still, condoms cannot guarantee complete safety, meaning all STDs require immediate medical attention. As an additional note, condoms made from natural membranes are not nearly as effective against STDs – this is one of the main reasons synthetic condoms are more popular (the other is the price).
What Reduces Their Effectiveness?
As we said, a condom can be 98% effective. But this isn’t always the case, and it is important to pay attention to the following factors as they can make condoms ineffective.
1. Putting a Condom On Improperly
It is generally easy to put on a condom. You place it on the tip of the penis while it is erect. Depending on the shape of the condom, you may or may not need to squeeze the tip to get rid of air. Then, you roll the condom all the way down.
However, a condom may be inside-out. This will make it impossible to roll it down. If this happens, immediately throw it out and get a new one – do not try to flip it over.
2. Putting a Condom On Too Late
It is very important to put the condom on before any sexual contact. This is because a condom does its job even before the climax.
3. The Condom Coming Off During Intercourse
In the heat of the moment, the condom may slip off. This is why condoms come in various shapes and sizes, and it is important to find the one which provides the best fit. The biggest risk of the condom coming off is after the climax, so this is when you need to pay the most attention.
4. The Condom Tearing
While a condom is thick enough to do its job, it is still pretty thin overall. This means there is a chance it’ll break or tear. If this happens, it is usually because some external factors have jeopardized its integrity.
So, be careful when you take the condom out of its packet. Take care not to nick it with your fingernails or any jewelry you may be wearing. Also, don’t use your teeth for this.
If you plan to use a lubricant, stick to water-based products. This is because oil-based lubricants can damage and weaken latex condoms. Certain creams can have a similar effect, so make sure not to put them on your skin before intercourse.
5. Expiration Date and Reuse
Condoms have an expiration date so it’s important to check this. Also, all condoms are single-use products, meaning you should never try to reuse them.
The Benefits of Condoms
As mentioned, condoms are very popular. The main reason for this is because they can prevent unwanted pregnancy and protect against STDs. But there are other factors as well.
The price is a big one – while there are many different brands with varying prices, condoms are generally inexpensive. In fact, it is not uncommon for clinics and medical centers to sometimes give them away for free in order to discourage unprotected intercourse.
Closely connected to this is their availability. You don’t need any sort of a prescription to get them. You can simply buy them in any pharmacy and quite a few stores.
Finally, condoms work immediately and don’t require any particular advance planning. As long as you have one on hand, you are prepared.
The Disadvantages of Condoms
There aren’t many entries in this category but we’ll mention a few. For one, we’ve already mentioned that condoms aren’t 100% effective. You can interpret this as a disadvantage, but no form of contraception is effective without fail when it comes to both pregnancy and STDs.
Secondly, not everyone enjoys using them, and there are people who believe they get in the way of intimacy. It is not difficult to understand why some people might feel this way, but the safety condoms provide is a worthy tradeoff.
Lastly, there are people who are allergic to latex, meaning they won’t react well to most condoms. However, you can get around this by going for one of the other materials we mentioned near the beginning of the article.
Final Words
In the end, it is not enough to just provide a figure as the answer to the question “How effective are condoms?” Yes, they can prevent pregnancy 98 times out of 100, but that’s if you take all the necessary precautions and use them exactly as intended. This is not difficult, but it will require some effort.
Still, their combination of effectiveness, ease-of-use, and availability is outstanding, and it is why condoms are one of the first associations people have when they think about contraception.
References:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/male-condoms
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom
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