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(reply to dt1230)

According to the Advocates for Youth (a very informative and credible sex-education site), "Several studies clearly show that condom breakage rates in this country are less than 2%. Most of the breakage and slippage likely is due to incorrect use rather than poor condom quality… Latex condoms are highly effective for pregnancy prevention, but only when they are used properly." In fact, "High failure rates [of condoms] in some studies occur because many people lie about contraceptive use to shift the responsibility for an unintended pregnancy to a “faulty” contraceptive, according to the Truth About Condoms: Planned Parenthood site.

This is why it is important to know how to correctly put on a condom, use a condom, and make sure the condom has not deteriorated (from sun or heat), and is not past its expiration date.

I'm wondering what motivated you ask this question (especially in the third person). Did you recently read a forwarded email or hear a friend talk about "holes in condoms", as these rumors do re-surface from time to time.

Another important distinction is the use of latex condoms (which you most likely are referring to) versus other materials (polyurethane or lambskin), as the "natural-membrane condoms have naturally occurring pores that are small enough to prevent passage of sperm but large enough to allow passage of viruses in laboratory studies". [Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)].

This is interesting to note, as even condoms that DO have small pores naturally contain holes that are not permeable to sperm (the sperm is too big to pass through the condom), but some viruses are smaller than sperm and may be able to travel through the pores of the condom. So, in essence, these natural-membrane condoms are for birth control only, and not STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) prevention.

Lastly, you can click on the link below for a similar Q&A to your's, as well as information on how to use a condom consistently and correctly: Go Ask Alice: Common Reasons for Condom Failure.

Does this answer your question?

September 6, 2009 - 1:20pm

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