Getting Pregnant While Using Condoms? Causes and Prevention

G

In reality, many couples use condoms during intercourse, but pregnancy still occurs. Let’s explore with AVAKids the details of whether using condoms can still lead to pregnancy and some precautions for safe contraception in the article below!

Probability of pregnancy when using condoms

Can you get pregnant while using a condom?

Condoms work by preventing direct contact and the exchange of semen or vaginal fluids between men and women during sexual intercourse. If used correctly, according to instructions, condoms can prevent pregnancy up to 98%. Therefore, wearing a condom during intercourse can still result in pregnancy, and this possibility increases if you don’t use it correctly.

Probability of pregnancy when using a condom

The contraceptive effectiveness of condoms depends not only on the type of condom but also on other factors such as product quality, usage method, and storage. Specifically, the pregnancy prevention rate of condoms is statistically as follows:

  • For men: When used correctly, the contraceptive effectiveness can reach up to 98%, but this number drops to only 82% if used incorrectly.
  • For women: The pregnancy prevention rate reaches 95% when used correctly and drops sharply to only 21% if used incorrectly.
Box of 12 Durex Performa Condoms 52 mm

Box of 12 Durex Performa Condoms 52 mm

Pregnancy rate without using condoms

The pregnancy rate without using condoms depends on many factors, including the menstrual cycle, the timing of intercourse within the cycle, and other contraceptive methods you may be using.

If no contraception is used, the average pregnancy rate within a year is about 85%. If intercourse occurs during ovulation, this rate will be higher.

Reasons for pregnancy despite condom use

Low-quality condoms

Using low-quality condoms is a significant cause of unintended pregnancy. Even when using contraception, low-quality products are more prone to tearing, increasing the risk of pregnancy. Simultaneously, it renders safe sex ineffective.

Incorrect condom usage

Durex Jeans Condoms 52.5 mm
Collapse

Incorrect condom usage also increases the likelihood of unintended pregnancy. The product is typically designed to fit snugly on the penis with a lubricating gel to facilitate proper application and maximize its protective effect.

Furthermore, some individuals attempt to enhance contraceptive effectiveness by wearing two condoms simultaneously. In reality, this is not the correct method and increases the risk of pregnancy. Doing so can cause the condoms to tear, allowing sperm to enter the fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg as usual.

Reusing condoms

Manufacturers always advise that the protective effect of a condom during sexual intercourse is only guaranteed for the first use. Reusing a condom poses a risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy.

Doctors even suggest that reuse is more dangerous than not using a condom during sex. Therefore, to ensure safety for both yourself and your partner, avoid this practice.

Using condoms at the wrong time

Using a condom at the wrong time, such as not wearing it from the beginning of intercourse but putting it on just before ejaculation, significantly increases the risk of pregnancy. In this case, the probability of pregnancy is very high because pre-ejaculate containing sperm may have already come into contact with the vagina, allowing fertilization to occur.

Box of 12 Durex Fetherlite Ultima Condoms 52 mm

Box of 12 Durex Fetherlite Ultima Condoms 52 mm

Using the wrong condom size

Using the wrong size condom, whether too tight or too loose, can increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Condoms that are too tight are prone to tearing during intercourse, while condoms that are too loose can slip off, failing to prevent sperm from meeting the egg.

Therefore, choosing a condom that fits the penis size is crucial. Carefully review the size information on the product packaging or consult with experts to select the most suitable condom.

Using expired condoms

Using expired condoms is a serious mistake that can lead to unintended pregnancy. Expired condoms often degrade in quality, lose elasticity, and are more prone to tearing, no longer providing safe protection during sexual intercourse.

Always check the expiration date on the product packaging before use. Don’t use expired condoms out of frugality, as the consequences can affect your reproductive health and plans.

Using incompatible lubricants

Not all lubricants are safe and compatible for use with condoms. Some oil-based lubricants can weaken the latex structure, making condoms more susceptible to tearing during intercourse.

Prioritize water-based lubricants, as they are compatible with condoms and safe for sensitive areas.

Not using lubricant

Durex Invisible Condoms 52 mm
Collapse

Many people believe that using lubricant is unnecessary and even uncomfortable. However, not using lubricant, especially when the vagina is dry, increases friction during intercourse, making condoms more prone to tearing.

Using a water-based lubricant not only enhances pleasure but also reduces friction, minimizing the risk of condom tears and ensuring your safety.

Carelessly tearing the condom wrapper

Carelessly tearing the condom wrapper with sharp objects like teeth or scissors can create small tears on the condom surface that are difficult to detect with the naked eye. This inadvertently creates opportunities for sperm to leak out, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Be careful when tearing open a condom wrapper. Use your hands to gently tear along the designated notch on the packaging. Inspect the condom carefully before use to ensure there are no tears.

Blowing into the condom before putting it on

Many people have the habit of blowing into a condom before putting it on to check for holes or to create space for comfort. However, this is a harmful mistake that can reduce the condom’s contraceptive effectiveness.

Blowing into a condom can inadvertently overstretch it, making it more prone to tearing during intercourse. Moreover, our breath contains bacteria and yeast that can adhere to the inside of the condom, increasing the risk of vaginal infections for the partner.

Instead of blowing, gently squeeze the tip of the condom to expel air before putting it on. This creates space for the penis tip and ensures a snug fit for optimal protection.

How to use a condom

Choose the right condom size

Buying the wrong size condom is a cause of pregnancy despite condom use. Therefore, you need to choose quality condoms like Durex or Olo condoms with the right size for your penis. Using a tight condom can easily lead to breakage, tearing, and leakage of fluid into the vagina. Conversely, if the condom is too loose, it can slip off during intercourse.

Box of 3 Durex Invisible Condoms 52 mm

Box of 3 Durex Invisible Condoms 52 mm

Steps for correct condom usage

Step 1: Open the condom according to the instructions on the packaging

When you purchase the product, read the instructions and check the expiration date. The packaging should be clear, undamaged, and unwrinkled. Then, open the condom pouch; avoid opening it in the middle and follow the instructions on the packaging to minimize the risk of tearing.

Open the condom according to instructions

Open the condom according to instructions

Step 2: Put the condom on the penis

First, place the condom on the tip of the erect penis. If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin before applying the condom. Next, squeeze out all the air from the tip of the condom and roll it down to cover the entire penis. Remember to put on the condom before intercourse because sperm can be present in pre-ejaculate even before ejaculation.

Put the condom on

Put the condom on the penis

Step 3: Remove the condom correctly

Men should hold the base of the condom firmly when withdrawing from the vagina. Hastily removing it while still in contact with the vagina can cause a small amount of semen to spill out, leading to pregnancy. Hold the condom in place, carefully grasp the rim, and slowly withdraw from the vagina. Finally, remove the condom, tie it up, and dispose of it in a trash can.

Do not reuse condoms

 

Durex Fetherlite Ultima Condoms 52 mm

 

Collapse

A condom should only be used once, regardless of the duration of use. Reusing a condom increases the risk of pregnancy and the potential for genital infections and the transmission of dangerous sexually transmitted diseases.

Store in a cool, dry, and private place

Condoms should be stored in a cool, dry, and private place, away from direct sunlight. The ideal temperature for storing condoms is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. Men should not store condoms in their wallets, as this is a confined space prone to friction and pressure, which can cause punctures or tears.

Box of 12 Durex Kingtex Condoms 49 mm

Box of 12 Durex Kingtex Condoms 49 mm

Contraceptive methods other than condoms

You can use medical methods for effective contraception. These include daily birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), contraceptive patches, contraceptive implants, diaphragms, etc. However, consult with a medical professional before using these methods.

Additionally, if you and your partner are certain you don’t want children in the future, you can consider sterilization. Men can undergo a vasectomy, and women can have a tubal ligation. These are safe, permanent methods that do not negatively impact health or psychology.

Furthermore, you can use natural family planning methods like the withdrawal method and tracking your menstrual cycle. However, these methods carry higher risks, are less effective at preventing pregnancy, and can even increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Box of 10 Durex Invisible Condoms 51 - 54 mm safe

Box of 10 Durex Invisible Condoms 51 – 54 mm safe

Do pregnant women need to use condoms during intercourse?

Although pregnant women cannot get pregnant again, using condoms during sexual intercourse remains important for the following reasons:

  • Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting STIs, and if infected, it can severely affect both the mother and the fetus.
  • Protection against vaginal infections: Hormonal changes during pregnancy alter the vaginal environment, making it more susceptible to infections. Condoms help minimize this risk.

Reference

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/scared-of-getting-pregnant-using-condoms