How effective is a condom?

[EveryoneLoves09876]

I know this sounds so silly and like I'm a teenager (I'm not!) I've been on oral contraceptives for many years and for a variety of personal reasons decided to come off them. I feel so much better mentally now I have. We use condoms as I want the least invasive form of contraception possible that still feels safe. I've read a few things about people getting pregnant on them and how they're not actually that effective, which seems crazy to me. Any thoughts?

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If you've found this page in search of condoms that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best condoms useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

They are extremely effective if used properly.

They also have the advantage that if they rip or burst (which they barely ever do) you know about it at the time, so you can take emergency contraception.

DH and I have used them for 20 years without any unwanted pregnancies or even pregnancy scares.

98% Effective apparently.

Hopefully more effective than the morning after pill anyway. 🙄

Used them for 20 years' and no pregnancy. Taken the MAP twice for broken condoms over the years.

Use them right and they'll rarely fail. Your partner needs to take responsibility for right fit, for example my better half needs large condoms (total stealth brag ). Buy a reputable brand and shag as much as you'd like.

How effective is that @borntohula?

That's good. I wonder if people don't use them properly.

Well, that's all we've been using for 17 years now. And I am from a family of Myrtle the Fertile Turtles. . .

No more kids other than the two we planned.

I've had the MAP twice for a potential whoopsy.

And I am from a family of Myrtle the Fertile Turtles. . .

Me too.

OP, the MAP is the only form of contraception that's ever failed for me so I'm just bitter. It's prob very effective in most cases.

Me too.

Stand downwind of the dirty washing and we're pregnant. . .

Been using conforms for a year and all fine. They’ve come a long way since I last used them and I started using them too because I’ve come off hormonal contraception. Their effectivity rate is very good when used correctly. I think a lot of the failure rate comes from inexperience using them and doing it wrong.

OP, the MAP is the only form of contraception that's ever failed for me

Me too!

And I am super bitter about it.

Stand downwind of the dirty washing and we're pregnant. . .

In my experience condoms + alcohol = significantly reduced effectiveness due to user error.

Excellent if coupled with a face mask and latex gloves.

When they don't break and are used correctly they are very very effective. We get a fair number of breaks a year though which, depending on the point at which it happens, means needing the MAP. We normally notice early enough to not worry about it, but about every 18 months I find myself heading for the pharmacy. DD1 is the (very welcome!) result of a condom breaking at a critical point in a location where I couldn't get the MAP within the 72hr window. We use them currently as I'm fed up of messing my body up with daily hormones. I've done my time. DH has said he wants and will get the snip (even less keen on more kids than me), but has been slow in getting around to it 😔

Used them for 8 years, 3 of those years were with the pill aswell. Only one pregnancy (now my son) and could probably put that down to user error I guess? Although obviously didn't know at the time. So I think pretty reliable.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but how on earth could they be used incorrectly? Surely it’s a case of putting it on, having sex and then taking it off and disposing of it?!

I've only ever used them with dh. 3 planned pregnancies and was pregnant first time every time with each. So in 10 years, that's pretty effective.

I got pregnant through a condom once. Used correctly, nothing happened to it so a warning to take other action. This was 25 years ago so maybe they've improved or something. I think I was just very unlucky as well.

My dad says that they don't work

Usually best to combine with withdrawal, I once had one slip off inside and had to get MAP at the time.

Turnedouttoes There are a number of ways they can be used incorrectly. Off the top of my head:
DH has on more than one occasion tried to put it on the wrong way up (usually when he's had a few). He could then potentially leave sperm on the outside if he simply flipped it over and used it any way.
I also remember one BF many years ago who went off for a loo visit part way through and thought nothing of trying to reuse the same condom upon return. Nope.
Then add in men who need a different size from the standard and people who don't realise you mustn't use oils around latex.

Actual effectiveness of male and female condoms is as low as 80%, ie: 20% failure rate.

Yes, this of course includes those people who sometimes or always use them incorrectly. It does however include many who have been using the method maybe long term with no apparent tears in the condom. Sperm are small, tears can be microscopic!

I work in unplanned pregnancy services. The most common method of contraception being used at the time of an unplanned pregnancy is condoms ( rather than none, or more reliable methods).
Totally anyone’s choice - but don’t then be surprised if you conceive. There’s a reason the multiple other methods of contraception were invented - condoms alone are better than nothing, but very far of the most effective method.

Far off, sorry