No type of condom prevents pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) 100% of the time. For better protection from pregnancy, many couples use condoms along with another method of birth control, like birth control pills or an IUD.
Condoms are the best way to protect you from most STDs. They must be used correctly — every time you have sex. But even then, they won't protect against infections that can spread from a sore on the skin (such as during a genital herpes outbreak) if it's not covered by a condom.
To use a condom correctly:
If a condom breaks or slips off and you are worried about pregnancy, call your health care provider or pharmacist to discuss emergency contraception. And both partners should be tested for STDs.
While condoms aren't perfect, if you're going to have sex, they are the best way to protect yourself, even if you are using another form of birth control.
Reviewed by: Lonna P. Gordon, MD
Date Reviewed: Dec 2, 2020
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