The condom is actually a simple and an incredible invention that has made a huge difference in many lives around the globe. In the recent statistics, over a 15 billion of condoms are used in a year all across the globe by human beings; that is just a lot of safe sex. Although these condoms aren’t 100 percent perfect, they are the best rubber tools that we have for prevention of unwanted sexual diseases as well as unplanned pregnancies. Condoms are the commended contraceptives for safe sex; however, you need to know how to use them well so as to attain maximum benefits and reduce the chances of pregnancy. 

What Affects the Chances of Getting Pregnant with a Condom?

There are some chances that you can get pregnant with a condom, but it’s unlikely. Researchers and medical experts put the figures of condom contraceptive use efficiency at about 97 to 98 percent. The following explains the factors that affect the chances of pregnancy while using a condom:

1. Effectiveness of Condoms

The 98 percent effectiveness of using condoms means that about 2% to 3% of those 15 billion condoms used break in the middle of sexual intercourse. This interpretation is essential in giving the person using the condom better odds than simply having 2% chance of being pregnant every time is having sex using a condom.

2. Incorrect Use

Most people will usually perceive condom usage as easy, but the truth of the matter is that it’s not as easy as said. Most people rarely do the right thing every time they use condoms. According to statistics, perfect use of condoms is 98 percent effective. Usage is divided into perfect usage and typical use, and the difference between the two lies on the user error or omission, i.e. not leaving space at the tip for semen.

3. Situational and Personal Factors

98 % is the average effectiveness for most individuals; however, this effectiveness is not just obvious since achieving pregnancy depends on numerous factors, which are even unrelated to condom usage. Most of these factors are difficult and impossible to calculate, or in simple words your mileage may vary.

What Are the Chances of Getting Pregnant If the Condom Breaks?

1. Why Do Condoms Break?

There are several reasons which may lead to breaking of a condom, and they include:

• Very old. Modern condom packs have a date after which the condom may be regarded as expired.
• Not enough lubrication. Additional lubrication will always be required for rectal sex as well as vaginal sex in some cases. The lubricant used should be water-soluble, i.e., KY jelly.
• Improper or poor storage. Extensive exposure of latex condoms to heat damages them, thus they are not supposed to be kept at a hot place, i.e., car glove compartment or even a wallet.
• Wrong kind of lubrication. Those lubricants which contain oil such as Vaseline, vegetable oils shouldn’t be used especially with latex condoms because they reduce the strength of the rubber.
• Partner too tight. In this case, you can use an extra strength condom and use more lubricant.
• Too small. You can try a larger size.

2. What Are the Chances of Getting Pregnant in Case Condom Breaks?

What are the chances of getting pregnant with a condom malfunction? Condoms will often break when there is much friction during sex or if the condoms have been exposed to heat as well as when the condoms are nearing their expiry date or use date. However, use of additional water-based lubricant swith condoms can reduce the risk of breaking or bursting.

There is no exact percentage on chances of getting pregnant if the condom breaks. In addition, if your partner is on any other contraception, i.e., a pill or an Implanon, the chances of pregnancy are slim. However, it’s usually advisable to use condoms together with other methods of contraception in order to avoid unintended pregnancies.

The chances also depend on the stage at which a woman was in her menstrual cycle; usually women are fertile between the eleventh and fifteenth day of their cycle. In case a condom breaks, the woman has 72 hours to take the morning after pill if she opts for, which reduces the chance or likelihood of getting pregnant. It is usually available over the counter in most pharmacies.

Lastly, if a condom breaks during intercourse, you’d better go for a checkup in a medical health care center so that the doctor can check for any bacterial infection, i.e., chlamydia.

How to Use Condoms Correctly

Most of the male condom packs come with directions or instructions, which are supposed to be followed carefully. You should not be carried away and try to rush things which might increase the chances of getting pregnant with a condom. Here are some standard guides or instructions:

• Take out the condom from the pack and avoid catching it with your nails.
• You don’t have to blow it as this could weaken the condom.
• Squeeze out air from the “teat” located at the end of the condom.
• Roll the condom on to your erect penis and this should only be done when the penis is erect.
• Roll the condom down till it reaches the base of the penis and ensure its firm.
• Some men experience condom collapse (loosing of erection) when rolling the condom. You can ask your partner to do it while massaging you simultaneously, if this is the case.
• Soon after you have climaxed, hold the condom firmly on the penis and then remove it from the vagina. You should take care that no fluid is spilled out.
• Take off the condom from the penis and wrap it in a tissue or paper and dispose it in a bin.
• If you wish to have sex the same day, you can clean your penis and use a new condom.
• Don’t ever try to reuse a condom.

You can watch this humorous and informational video to make sure you are using condoms properly: