How safe are condoms?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2002
How safe are condoms?
2
Sun, 02-26-2006 - 6:18pm
My boyfriend and I just began having sex last night and we used a condom. After talking with him today, he told me he does not feel safe using condoms because he doesn't trust that they will work. He said he's afriad they'll break, or leak and I will get pregnant. I do not want to go on birth control right now and I want to know what others have learned from using condoms to prevent pregnancy. Are there any condoms that have worked better, or ones that have a tendency to break? Any input anyone has on this topic would be greatly appreciated :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-24-2005
Sun, 02-26-2006 - 6:37pm

Under normal, recommended usage (which is often described on the box), a reputable condom should be virtually

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2005
Sun, 02-26-2006 - 8:03pm

No one single method of birthcontrol works 100% to prevent pregnancies.

I've never had a condom break or slip off during intercourse. I feel that a lot of that has to do with wearing the correct size. I usually reach down and check just before the critical moment.

Use a water-based lubricant with latex condoms. An oil-based lube such as vaseline or certain other oils can damage a latex condom in 10 seconds. Watch out for "massage oils", they are usually not for use with latex.

If your boyfriend is slightly thicker than most, I suggest the DUREX "Avanti" urethane condom which is 40 times tougher than a latex one and urethane conducts body heat very well so they feel very intimate. A condom provides good protection from STDs and is more-spontaneous than hormonal birthcontrol.