Everywhere I find on the internet says that condoms, when used properly and don’t break, are only 98% effective.
That means if you have sex once a week you’re just as well off as having no protection once a year.
Are 2% of condoms randomly selected to have holes poked in them?
What’s going on?
In: Biology
First of all, those number assume perfect use, which seldom happens. But the more important question is effective against what? If we’re talking HIV protection, it’s closer to 80% in vaginal intercourse. By anal we’re talking 70%.
Protection against smear infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea is between 25% and 50%. I won’t even mention HPV.
That’s why no matter how great you condom use is, regular STI testing is important. Many infections are symptomless and you can carry them and pass them on for months or years without knowing.
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