According to the CDC, although condoms used consistently and correctly can reduce the risk of pregnancy and STIs, they do not offer complete protection. 1 The CDC states, “Abstaining from vaginal, anal, or oral sex [is] the only way to completely avoid STIs.”2
When condoms are used consistently (i.e., every time) and correctly (including putting the condom on before intercourse begins), they may:
- Reduce the risk of acquiring genital herpes by only about 30%3 (since it can be passed from the infected skin of one person to the uninfected person and condoms do not cover all the skin of the genital area).
- Reduce the risk for genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-associated diseases (e.g., genital warts and cervical cancer). There is more protection for the areas covered by the condom (condoms do not cover all the skin of the genital area) but even the covered areas are not fully protected.4
It is estimated that male condoms have a typical 13% fail rate, resulting in pregnancy.5
A few common factors that influence proper condom use and effectiveness:
- Incomplete Use: Incomplete condom use is defined as not using a condom during the entire sexual act, including late application and early removal. Late application is when intercourse begins before condom application. Early removal refers to taking the condom off followed by unprotected intercourse. Occurrence of incomplete condom use can range from 20.0% to 60.0%.6
- Breakage: A review of 15 studies found rates of condom breakage as high as 40%.7
As cited in our Medical Institute STD Online Course Workbook, other common errors of male condom use include:
- Starting sex before condom was unrolled to the base of the penis
- Not leaving airless space at the tip of the condom
- Putting the condom on incorrectly
- (including inside out or flipping it over)
- Condom withdrawal errors
- Condom re-use
- Incorrect storage
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) “Condoms and STDs: fact sheet for public health personnel” , 2014
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). How to prevent stis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/sti/prevention/index.html
3ibid.
4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-b). About genital HPV infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/about-genital-hpv-infection.html
5“Contraceptive Effectiveness in the United States | Guttmacher Institute.” www.guttmacher.org, 1 Apr.2020, www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/contraceptive-effectiveness-united-states.
6Fitch JT, Stine C, Hager WD, Mann J, Adam MB, McIlhaney J. Condom effectiveness: factors that influencerisk reduction.Sex Transm Dis. 2002;29(12):811-817.
7Ibid.