The failure rate of condoms for birth control varies depending on whether they are used perfectly or typically.
Understanding Condom Effectiveness
Condom effectiveness is often described in two ways: perfect use and typical use.
- Perfect Use: This refers to consistent and correct use of condoms every single time during sexual activity.
- Typical Use: This reflects how condoms are actually used in real-life situations, which may include inconsistent or incorrect use.
Condom Failure Rates
| Usage Type | Effectiveness | Failure Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Use | 98% | 2% |
| Typical Use | 87% | 13% |
Failure Rate Explained
According to the reference, if condoms are used perfectly every time, they are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, because people aren't perfect, the typical use effectiveness is around 87%. This means that about 13 out of 100 people who rely solely on condoms for birth control may become pregnant each year.
