Effectiveness

Condoms can be very effective in preventing pregnancy when used consistently and correctly. The pregnancy rate for couples who use condoms every time they have intercourse is estimated to be 3% per first year of use.

Condoms also help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs or STIs). During sexual intercourse, condoms can stop the sexual transmission of many diseases, including gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV/AIDS and trichomoniasis (refer to your Communicable Diseases Module).