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Is using a condom almost 100% safe?
Hi,
I was looking at stuff online and was really surprised to find all this conflicting information on the effectiveness of condoms. My girlfriend doesn't take the pill so I've been using condoms.
She's not goin on the pill since she's from another country and only here temporarily. I only use the latex ones too.
So if I use non-outdated condoms, and put it on correctly and at the end it doesn't tare or anything and after inspecting it before throwing it away I see that no semen is leaking out somehow then shouldn't the chances of her getting pregnant be close to zero?! I hope so anyway...
I'd like to hear what others think about this.
Thanks a bunch-
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Condoms used properly are supposed to be 98% effective. With "typical use," they're 85% effective. "Typical use" involves things like not using a condom every time there's genital contact, not using them at all (the whole "well, it's just one time, what'll it hurt" thing), not putting it on properly, etc. And of course, there's always the risk it'll break or slip off. But as long as you're doing everything right, they should be pretty effective.
Even so, like another answer said, it's always best to have a backup plan. Whether it involves adding in another form of birth control, getting some Plan B ahead of time, or whatever. That way, if you ever DO have a mishap, you'll be less freaked out because you'll already have it covered and know what to do.
(For comparison, a couple not using any birth control at all is 85-90% likely to get pregnant within a year. So even using condoms poorly, they're still pretty helpful when you think about it.)
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All the advice you've gotten here so far is very good.
I just wanted to add:
The one thing you missed on your checklist for condoms is correct storage. Incorrect storage is a large part of the reason condoms break. Latex is pretty temperature sensitive.
That means you should store them anywhere in direct sunlight, or near a heat source or AC. They absolutely should NEVER be kept in a pocket, wallet or glove compartment, were they easily get over-heated, freeze, and generally crinkled and crushed.
The final thing to NOT do, is don't rip a condom wrapper open by twisting the whole thing. You risk starting a tear or otherwise weakening the condom. Rip the edge rather than twisting the whole package.
Finally, have a backup plan!
The as-accurate-as-possible-from-dozens-of-studies-looking-at-thousands-of-condoms is that condoms are 98% effective when used properly. That remaining 2% is partly unavoidable human error (we none of us are perfect all the time), and factory error. Two things that we can minimize, but never completely avoid.
So have a backup plan.
Always, always, always, have a backup plan. Even if you were using the pill, condoms and an anti-fertility voodoo doll, every couple should have talked about the 'What If' involved in sex. So have that conversation about Plan B, about abortions, and everyone else around the possibility of pregnancy. It's important you know where your partner stands and that she knows where you stand, and what is accessible and legal for your age in the place where you live.
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Its a known fact that condoms are pretty much the only way to prevent pregnancy other than the other forms of birth control. Although condoms are highly effective,they arent 100% effective due to some mishaps that can occur. Obviously you know the possible mishaps and seem to be taking them very cautiously. So i guess the answer is no they arent 100% effective,but your ordeal sounds to me like you are making them almost 100% effective..so keep up the cautiousness and youl be just fine! (:
xoxo,taylor.
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In a high school parenting/child development class we learned that if condoms are used 100% correctly, there's only a 2% chance of pregnancy.
That class was 6 years ago...
So, I'm assuming that's still the case.
If it doesn't tare, there are no leaks, etc, then things should work out.
However, there's always that one-two percent chance that it doesn't work. Be prepared for that to happen. People shouldn't have sex unless they're prepared for any/all consequences!
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