Curious Condom

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2006
Curious Condom
3
Sat, 03-18-2006 - 1:38pm
Can anything come through a condom while your doing it or does it have to be broken for something to come out?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2005
Sat, 03-18-2006 - 4:36pm

If "things" (meaning sperm) could come thru a condom, there wouldn't be much point in using them. However, it would only take a pinhole, and that wouldn't be visible to the naked eye. And if a condom is old, or has been stored wrong, it CAN break or tear.

They should be stored in a cool dark place, NOT in a wallet, and NOT in a car glove compartment. Heat from the sun, and or the body can deteriorate the latex. There are also "sell by" dates on them, and you shouldn't use them if the date has passed.

Also, if you don't want to get pregnant, condoms are only about 85% effective. IF you're 20 years old, then you should get on birth control of some kind, that is nearly 100% effective. Also, if you're sexually active, you should see your gyno once a year starting NOW. You can talk to the doctor about all the kinds of b/c that are available for women, and what would be best for you. Then you wouldn't have to worry about condoms breaking or coming off.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Sat, 03-18-2006 - 8:23pm

>> condoms are only about 85% effective <<

When used correctly, condoms are virtually 100% effective. The oft-reported 85% number refers to couples who use condoms exclusively and take chances on occasion either because they thought it was a "safe" time (fertility-wise) or because they simply ran out of condoms and were too horny to wait.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2005
Sun, 03-19-2006 - 11:36am
Of course! If you factor in "human error" on ANYTHING, it won't be 100% Even the "pill", which would be 100% effective if taken properly is rated at only 97 or 98% effective, because women don't always take them correctly. Forget one or two, or take a few 10 or 12 hours late, and that person's PERSONAL effectiveness rate will go down to 50% probably!