Can't find failure stats on this combo..

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Can't find failure stats on this combo..
4
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 10:28am
Hello!

I am looking online for failure stats of COMBINED male condom with spermicide. I found oodles of stats for male condom alone, and for spermicide alone, but I'd really like to know what the failure rate is for "perfect" use (we're pretty darn careful) of condoms with spermicide.

I have a heart murmur and have had serious problems on hormonal birth control before, thus don't want to risk taking it anymore.

Also, if we were to adopt a 3rd barrier method (diaphragm or cap) in addition to the condoms & spermicide, would that really help our odds or would it be more trouble than it's worth? Should we maybe look into NFP as an additional insurance? I think we'd be capable of going a few days without sex if it meant NOT biting my nails off every time my period is two days late!

We are reluctant to go with anything more permanent (like an IUD) because we do hope to start a family (maybe finish, one may be my limit!) in a couple of years, and I just turned 30.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Sun, 06-06-2004 - 12:21am
I read once in a health book, that with a condom and spermicide, the stats on pregnancy were only 2-5%, which means this is a very good form of birth control to use, like almost 98% effective, i would continue using this.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 06-06-2004 - 4:50pm
Hi frickyfrack, welcome!

According to Contraceptive technology 17th ed. (1998) p. 216, the perfect use effectiveness for condoms is 97% and perfect use effectiveness for spermicide is 94%. If you take 94% of the 3% failure rate for condoms you are way less than a 1% failure rate for the combination of condoms and spermicide, assuming both methods are used correctly and for every act of IC.

I use a cervical cap as my primary method of contraception and love it! Only you can say if using a third barrier method would provide you peace of mind. In theory three methods, all used correctly would be better than two but we are already below 1% with condoms and spermicide. Personally, I think three methods is overkill to the point that using them all would be so much trouble that you would be tempted to take risks, and that would be very counter productive.

NFP and the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) can be very effective if all the rules are followed all the time. It takes charting your fertility signs for a number of cycles before you begin to know what your body is or isn’t doing. NFP/FAM is unforgiving of errors or risk taking and takes considerable dedication and discipline to use it correctly. Personally, I don’t have a lifestyle that lends itself to accurate charting so NFP/FAM isn’t for me. If you have the discipline and interest then charting your cycles can be very empowering… knowing when you are going to ovulate… If you are interested, a super book on the subject is Toni Weschler’s Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 10:29pm
I was just wondering what counts as using a condom "perfectly"? Is it considered perfect use as long as the condom doesn't break?? Just wondering......
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 11:48pm
Hi estakia,

A condom doesn't have to break to fail but much of the problem is user failure. Perfect use of condoms means using a condom correctly and for every act of IC. Put the condom on before there is any contact between genitals. No penetration-withdrawal-and-then-put-the-condom-on nonsense! And, he should hold the rim during withdrawal so that it doesn't slip off or the contents spill.

some dos and don’ts about using condoms correctly.

• Don’t store condoms in wallets or cars where they are subject to pressure and heat.

• Don’t use the condoms if the use-by date has expired.

• Do be careful opening the packet not to damage the condom.

• Do squeeze the air out of the tip (before you roll it all the way on to him) to prevent blow-out.

• Do be careful that your nails don’t snag or cut the latex.

• Do use a water base lubricant, such as Astroglide or KY Liquid if you need additional lube.

• Don’t use an oil base lube such as Vaseline as petroleum will weaken the latex very quickly.

• Do have him withdraw while still erect, while holding the condom at the base of his shaft as he withdraws to prevent it slipping off and spilling.

• Don’t get any of his fluids on you hands and then touch your genitals.

You with me here?

      Jill