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Old 05-30-2006, 03:18 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Effectiveness of condoms against pregnancy?

Hey guys

I was wondering if anyone had an accurate description of the effectiveness of condoms against pregnancy? That is, condoms by themselves, without any other means of birth control.

My girlfriend and I have been having sex for about 10 months now, and the only birth control we use is a condom. However, I also pull-out everytime. I'm still a bit concerned that she'll get pregnant, though, and at the end of every month I end up sweating bullets.

I know that there are varying circumstances which can alter the effectiveness of condoms, but taking these things (ripping, etc) out of the equation, exactly how effective are condoms?
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Last edited by Tex; 05-30-2006 at 03:20 PM..
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Old 05-30-2006, 03:34 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. But remember the rule of independent events: every time you have sex with a condom, there is a 2% chance of pregnancy.

The effectiveness of condoms decreases if they aren't used correctly. As with most forms of birth control, human error is a huge factor. However, the more often you use condoms and use them correctly, the more you reduce the risk of human error being a factor. Practice of use makes perfect, after all.

However, I would recommend doubling up on your birth control methods, not only as a safety net but for your own peace of mind. Most folks in family planning recommend using a hormonal method and a barrier method (ie birth control pills plus condoms). There are a wide variety of hormonal methods to choose from--from rings to patches to pills, and there are also a variety of synthetic hormones to choose from. However, if a hormonal method is not practical for your significant other, then examine other barrier methods (diaphragm, cervical cap) or the copper-T IUD.
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Old 05-30-2006, 05:39 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Um, I don't believe the effectiveness of birth control measures is calculated in the fashion mentioned above. If it were then the average condom using college student would have several children by graduation.

I believe it is the risk of getting pregnant over a one year period using that particular method, or something to that effect.

I do know that condoms are extremely effective if used properly, but that most people end up becoming somewhat complacent (god knows I do when I have to use those horrible things) and start taking shortcuts or doing things that increase the risk of pregnancy.
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Old 05-30-2006, 06:05 PM   #4 (permalink)
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My best friend had an accident (condom-only) baby 3 years ago. He was married and had some money saved up, so it wasn't the end of the world, but it can happen. I'm not sure if the condom ripped, or leaked out around the edges or what. I don't think they knew about it until a few weeks after the fact and they are against abortion, so they got a new baby.

You should get some tips on what to do with the condom from Tom Leykis on 97.1 fm out there in LA.
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Old 05-30-2006, 08:59 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg700
Um, I don't believe the effectiveness of birth control measures is calculated in the fashion mentioned above. If it were then the average condom using college student would have several children by graduation.

I believe it is the risk of getting pregnant over a one year period using that particular method, or something to that effect.

I do know that condoms are extremely effective if used properly, but that most people end up becoming somewhat complacent (god knows I do when I have to use those horrible things) and start taking shortcuts or doing things that increase the risk of pregnancy.
yes all the stats I've seen have been for a year long period.

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/pub...t/fscondom.htm

Quote:


* In one year, only two of every 100 couples who use condoms consistently and correctly will experience an unintended pregnancy—two pregnancies arising from an estimated 8,300 acts of sexual intercourse, for a 0.02 percent per-condom pregnancy rate.[3]
* In one year with perfect use (meaning couples use condoms consistently and correctly at every act of sex), 98 percent of women relying on male condoms will remain pregnancy free. With typical use, 85 percent relying on male condoms will remain pregnancy free.[3]
* In one year with perfect use, 95 percent of women relying on the female condom will remain pregnancy free. With typical use, 79 percent relying on female condoms will remain pregnancy free.[3]
* By comparison, only 15 percent of women using no method of contraception in a year will remain pregnancy free.[3]
I'm sure you can find more and even original sources if you're interested.
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Old 05-30-2006, 11:08 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Thank you for posting that information, aKula.

Tex: As for the "pulling out" method of withdrawing a penis with a condom on it just prior to orgasm, the only thing it will do is protect you if the force of your orgasm can tear open the condom- literally if the orgasm itself breaks the condom (which pretty much doesn't happen). If there is a tear pre-orgasm, when you're having sex, your precome (which does contain sperm) can still leak out of the tear and cause pregnancy, regardless of whether or not the orgasm happens inside the vagina. Is the risk lower if you pull out so the bulk of the semen released at orgasm doesn't get into the vagina? Sure. It only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg, though, and if the tear was in the condom during sex, whether yo uwithdraw or not might not have saved you anyway. If your girlfriend can tolerate it (some women have have a reaction to it), a condom with spermicide on it is also a very good idea to help add another line of protection.

The best thing you can do is make sure there is plenty of lubrication. Be sure to use a "condom safe" water-based lubricant, as oil-based lubricant can break down the latex in condoms. Any kind of dryness can cause a tear in the condom. If you suddenly notice that the area has dried considerably, and the condom seems to bunch up in places due to the dryness, it is better to remove it and continue with a new condom, making sure to lubricate the area well before continuing. This will help decrease the chance of a tear. Lube is your friend, use is generously and often if you find drying out to be a problem.

Last edited by analog; 05-30-2006 at 11:32 PM..
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Old 05-31-2006, 06:05 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by analog
Tex: As for the "pulling out" method of withdrawing a penis with a condom on it just prior to orgasm, the only thing it will do is protect you if the force of your orgasm can tear open the condom- literally if the orgasm itself breaks the condom (which pretty much doesn't happen).
Just to addend this statement - when you put the condom on, there's supposed to be some loose space at the front for the ejaculate to collect. If you experience slippage, and that space is removed, it could break; you should get a different size or brand.
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Old 05-31-2006, 07:45 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by analog
It only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg, though, and if the tear was in the condom during sex, whether yo uwithdraw or not might not have saved you anyway.
No arguments on the rest of your post - but I wanted to note that no, it doesn't just take one sperm to fertilize an egg. Actually, several need to make it to the egg to help break down the "jelly coating" around the egg so that one sperm can get through that barrier and fuse with the egg. Ah, semantics.
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Old 06-04-2006, 07:41 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
* In one year, only two of every 100 couples who use condoms consistently and correctly will experience an unintended pregnancy—two pregnancies arising from an estimated 8,300 acts of sexual intercourse, for a 0.02 percent per-condom pregnancy rate.[3]
"8300 acts of sexual intercourse" in a year? I must be reading it wrong, because to me, that means having sex 22 times a day...
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Old 06-04-2006, 08:06 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteKoopa
"8300 acts of sexual intercourse" in a year? I must be reading it wrong, because to me, that means having sex 22 times a day...
divided among 100 couples ...
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Old 06-05-2006, 12:09 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct
divided among 100 couples ...
So somewhere out there there are 99 couples that between them have sex only twice a day?
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Old 06-07-2006, 01:26 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by analog
Thank you for posting that information, aKula.

Tex: As for the "pulling out" method of withdrawing a penis with a condom on it just prior to orgasm, the only thing it will do is protect you if the force of your orgasm can tear open the condom- literally if the orgasm itself breaks the condom (which pretty much doesn't happen). If there is a tear pre-orgasm, when you're having sex, your precome (which does contain sperm) can still leak out of the tear and cause pregnancy, regardless of whether or not the orgasm happens inside the vagina. Is the risk lower if you pull out so the bulk of the semen released at orgasm doesn't get into the vagina? Sure. It only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg, though, and if the tear was in the condom during sex, whether yo uwithdraw or not might not have saved you anyway. If your girlfriend can tolerate it (some women have have a reaction to it), a condom with spermicide on it is also a very good idea to help add another line of protection.

The best thing you can do is make sure there is plenty of lubrication. Be sure to use a "condom safe" water-based lubricant, as oil-based lubricant can break down the latex in condoms. Any kind of dryness can cause a tear in the condom. If you suddenly notice that the area has dried considerably, and the condom seems to bunch up in places due to the dryness, it is better to remove it and continue with a new condom, making sure to lubricate the area well before continuing. This will help decrease the chance of a tear. Lube is your friend, use is generously and often if you find drying out to be a problem.
this man speaks the truth, but


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

"CONCLUSIONS: Preejaculatory fluid secreted at the tip of the urethra from Cowper's gland during sexual stimulation did not contain sperm and therefore cannot be responsible for pregnancies during coitus interruptus."


though some studies have found sperm in low dosages in pre-cum. they think it is residual from the last ejaculation though
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Old 06-07-2006, 02:43 PM   #13 (permalink)
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I think it's pretty hard to break a condom. The next time you have one sitting around hold onto it around the top of a faucet and turn it on and just let it go and see how long it'll last before breaking. That thing gets pretty big without springing a leak. Impressively so, if you ask me.

I'd say Condoms are a highly effective method of birth control considering how many people out there have sex regularly with them, and how few end up knocked up.
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Old 06-08-2006, 01:16 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silentmonkey
this man speaks the truth, but


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

"CONCLUSIONS: Preejaculatory fluid secreted at the tip of the urethra from Cowper's gland during sexual stimulation did not contain sperm and therefore cannot be responsible for pregnancies during coitus interruptus."


though some studies have found sperm in low dosages in pre-cum. they think it is residual from the last ejaculation though

I've seen studies like this... the issue is they're always small sample sizes, like this one was (like 10 people tops?)... but the real problems are...

1. Better safe than sorry

2. The "pulling out" method (not wearing a condom, and attempting to withdraw the penis just prior to ejaculation) is bad for many, many reasons- only one of which is the possible presence of sperm in precum. The others stem from the fact that many times, a man can have a miniature ejaculation or a small spasm without feeling the onset, which can cause some sperm to come out, or get into the urethra, where it will slowly leak out. He can also not feel the onset of orgasm fast enough and not "pull out" in time, or be in a position (when not expecting to have an orgasm) where it's impossible to "pull out" quickly, like if the woman is on top of the man and he quickly, unexpectedly begins to orgasm. Also, if the man has had an orgasm and then the couple resumes intercourse, there is no guarantee that all of the sperm that was in the urethra has been evacuated, even if measures are taken to attempt to do so.

The bottom line is, there are too many unreliable factors which create a combination of risks are FAR too high for any medical professional to assert any opinion other than "pulling out doesn't work." It's just a bad idea.

Last edited by analog; 06-08-2006 at 01:19 AM..
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Old 06-13-2006, 06:54 PM   #15 (permalink)
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A womans point of view...
Its not just the mans job.
If you are worried that badly perhaps she could/should/would get on the pill? Perhaps the ring? The shot?
Just a thought. Doubling up cant hurt and if the condom does break (gods forbid) you are still covered. *smile*
Happy humping! (this last statement was intended for funny haha value please dont take it as anything but the intended use... taking offense could result in pegnancy)
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