Condoms - Effective Prevention of Pregnancy

Condoms - Effective Prevention of Pregnancy

There are various types of birth control available to couples wanting to avoid pregnancy. Of all of these methods only condoms offer a high degree of protection against infection by HIV and other STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) at the same time as providing highly effective prevention of unwanted pregnancy.

But just how effective are condoms at preventing pregnancy, and what are some of the factors that have a bearing on their effectivenesss?

Effectiveness of Condoms in Preventing Unintended or Unwanted Pregnancy

When determining condom effectiveness, it is important to recognize that, as with all methods of contraception, the effectivness of condoms decreases when they are not used correctly. According to one large study, "In one year, only two of every 100 couples who use condoms consistently and correctly will experience an unintended pregnancy - two pregnancies arising from an estimated 8,300 acts of sexual intercourse, for a 0.02 percent per-condom pregnancy rate."

Other studies that do not measure for incorrect use, but only for "regular use", indicate that the pregnancy rate may be as high as 15% of couples. But this number is skewed because it includes improper use. The main reason that condoms sometimes fail to prevent pregnancy is incorrect or inconsistent use, not the failure of the condom itself.

These studies just ask women how often they have become pregnant when their partners use condoms. But the "failure rate" derived from these statistics includes cases of incorrect usage, tearing due to mishandling of the condom or rough sexual practices, or even where the couple did not use a condom every time they had sex.

So it is worth repeating. When condoms are used consistently and correctly they have a very high prevention rate -- between 97% and 99%. But they must be used "consistently and correctly" in order to be this effective.

Ways to Prevent Condom "Failure"

Here is what you must do to insure you are getting the best protection possible from condoms:

• Use a condom every time you have sex.
• The condom must be applied as soon as erection occurs and before any sexual contact (vaginal, anal or oral).
• Be sure not to tear the condom with teeth or fingernails.
• Do not use oil-based lubricants such as petroleum jelly (vaseline), cold cream, hand lotion or baby oil, since it can weaken the latex.
• Withdraw from the partner immediately after ejaculation, holding the condom firmly to keep it from slipping off.

Some other Condom Considerations

• When you buy condoms, read the label. Tests have shown that latex condoms are more likely to give you the added side benefit of preventing the passage of STDs. High quality condoms will be in a package that says the condoms are effective in preventing disease. If the package doesn't say anything about preventing disease, the condoms may not provide the protection you want, even though they may be the most expensive ones you can buy.
• Novelty condoms (flavored, textured, etc.) are intended primarily for sexual stimulation, not protection. Again, read the label. If it does not say anything about either disease prevention or pregnancy prevention on the package, then it will not be as effective a barrier against pregnancy and disease.
• For proper protection, a condom must unroll to cover the entire penis. Condoms which do not cover the entire penis will not give you maximum protection. This is another good reason to read the label carefully.
• Female condoms, while reasonably effective, are not quite as good as male condoms.
• Although using spermicide by itself (without a condom) is not a very effective way to prevent pregnancy, using condoms that have spermicide added increases their effectiveness.
• Condoms available from vending machines are not always of top quality. Look for brand names, and read the label carefully.
• Bright sunlight and heat can weaken the latex, so store them away from sunlight and in a cool place.

Where should I buy condoms?

If you are buying online, make sure the online store carries a broad range of name brand condoms, contains helpful information about condoms, and is reachable by phone so you can talk to a real person. The best advice is to buy from an established source that deals only in name brand products.

For more information about condoms and convenient ordering of all brand name condoms visit the #1 online source of condoms in the UK

Myths about Buying Condoms Online

Myths about Buying Condoms Online

There are many myths that surround buying condoms online. The fact of the matter is that this is a great way to get what you want, without having to go to the store. It is a shame to think that the many myths surrounding this scare off a lot of potential buyers. Luckily, if you know what these myths are, you will be able to avoid letting them hinder your ability to buy online.

One of the biggest myths about buying condoms online is that they will not be as effective or reliable. In other words, when you buy online you are going to get stuck with an inferior product. As you can imagine, this is a silly myth that holds no weight. The condoms that you buy online are the same ones that you would get at a local drug store. The only difference is that they are shipped to your house as opposed to being picked up at the store.

And as far as shipping is concerned, you should know that most online condom stores will ship to you in a discreet package. In other words, nobody will know what is inside the package that you receive. It is a myth that the package will be marked in a way that will indicate that condoms are included. So if you are worried about this problem, you can forget about it.

Finally, online condom stores know that you need your order as fast as possible. For this reason, they take great pride in shipping every order as quickly as possible. It is a myth that it will take you weeks on end to get your condoms in the mail. If you are worried about this, check on the standard delivery time with the store that you are considering buying from.

All in all, when you know the myths surrounding buying condoms online you can avoid them with no trouble at all. And this will definitely work out to your advantage since there are so many benefits of buying online.

Durex avanti condoms: 5 Reasons why "Durex Avanti" is the new buzzword

Durex avanti condoms: 5 Reasons why "Durex Avanti" is the new buzzword

The Durex Avanti condom is an interesting development. The condom really hasn't changed all that much in a long time. I had never realized how much I dislike latex until these came along. It's a whole new ballgame now.

I was a Trojan man for a long time, mostly just because they were readily available, and I figured they were the best out there. Several months ago I tried out a Durex condom, just to see if it was really any different. I definitely thought it was more natural feeling, but not really much different. A few weeks ago I saw an ad for non-latex condoms. I ordered a 3-pack, as well as several other styles. The Avanti's were the only condoms that really stood out from the rest. It was like a completely new experience. Just the fact that heat transfer is increased was enough to make it feels like I wasn't even wearing a condom.

Here are a few reasons why polyurethane condoms are better than latex condoms:

1. The feel of polyurethane is much more natural than latex. They're super-thin and offer extraordinary sensitivity.

2. They're completely odorless. Durex Avanti condoms aren't made of latex, so the don't have that pungent odor.

3. They are non-allergenic. Obviously anyone with a latex allergy won't have any problem using these condoms.

4. The increased heat transfer of the material really makes a difference in the experience. It's a much more pleasing sensation, and barely feels like you're wearing a condom.

5. They are made from a unique polyurethane material that is double the strength of natural latex.

If that's not enough reason to try something new, I don't know what is.