First of all, you have to know that, if you have heterosexual intercourse, condoms are up to 98% effective in preventing pregnancies 1, as long as they are used properly. In addition, among the benefits of the condom, protection against STDs stands out, since it is the only contraceptive method that reduces the risk of contagion of a sexually transmitted disease.
Putting on a condom correctly reduces the risk of STD transmission between 80 and 90% 2. Notice that we always point out that you have to know how to use the condom correctly because improper use explains why the condom can fail without breaking.
Reasons why the condom can fail without breaking
Surely the first thing that comes to mind when you think about condom failures is that it breaks. But why does the condom break?
Breakage can occur in an expired or poorly maintained condom, for example, if you have left it out in the sun or in your bag for a long time, but also if there is excessive friction or too much tension when you choose an excessively small condom.
However, a broken condom is not the only cause that increases the risk of condom failure. There are other reasons why the prophylactic may not be effective, and they are all related to improper use:
Penetration before putting the condom on
During sexual intercourse, before ejaculation, the penis can secrete the so-called precum, which may contain sperm. Bearing this in mind, unwanted pregnancies can occur if the relationship is heterosexual or STDs can be transmitted without the condom breaking.
Unprotected contact with this fluid increases the risk of all this happening, even if you decide to put on a condom later.
Do not remove the condom while the penis is erect
If you want to continue having sex after you have ejaculated, keep in mind that if the erection goes down, the condom will come off, so that your body fluids will come into contact with those of your partner(s).
It is a very common situation in which the condom can fail without breaking.
Not choosing the size properly
A condom size that is not yours explains why the condom can fail. A condom that is too loose can slip off during sex or get stuck inside your vagina or anus, putting you at unnecessary risk.
To avoid this, it is important to know what size condom to use and choose the right one according to your type of penis, which will offer you greater comfort without compromising protection.
Not knowing how to put the condom on correctly
If the condom is not securely attached to the base of the penis, it could slip off during sex and eventually come off. Doubts about the placement of the condom? Check our article How to put on a condom step by step and discover the proper way to do it.
Using the same condom twice
There are many people who think that there is no problem in reusing a condom that they have already used, but the truth is that this is a risky practice.
Once you have used the condom, it has been exposed to bodily fluids, so it should be thrown away immediately.
Can a pregnancy occur without the condom breaking?
Yes, there can be a pregnancy without the condom breaking. For correct use, avoid the errors that we have explained in the previous section, as well as those that cause the condom to break. Remember that condoms that are expired, poorly maintained, or subjected to excessive friction can also break, which explains why the condom can fail.
Can I get an STD without the condom breaking?
The answer is yes, it is possible that you contract an STD due to improper use of condoms.
In these cases, in addition to using the condom correctly, it is very important that you follow other precautions, such as avoiding sharing sex toys that have not been protected by a condom, unprotected oral or anal sex, or sharing objects where there may be blood residue.
Remember that the condom is a safe method but, like any other method, if misused it could fail and, therefore, you would be at risk.
