5 Condom Mistakes That Jeopardize Your Protection

Here’s a not-so-sexy fact: Condoms are 98 percent effective at protecting against pregnancy — when used perfectly. In real life, thanks to human error, it drops down to 85 percent effective, according to Planned Parenthood.

While there are other types of birth control options that are highly effective with a much lower chance of human error (such as the IUD and the implant), these options cannot protect against sexually transmitted infections. That’s what makes the condom so powerful. However, your condom is only as effective as how you use it. In this video, learn common mistakes that can increase your risk of an unwanted pregnancy or STI.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

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