Types of condoms

Published: 07 April 2009
  • Condoms of different sizes, thicker condoms and rubberless condoms are all available.

Using condoms is not totally safe sex. Remember that according to the statistics above, they stop 85 to 90% of STIs (with the exception of contagious viruses like herpes and HPV which can be spread via the fingers). Experience with birth control shows that over a period of a year about 6% of women who use condoms as their sole form of contraception will get pregnant. Although this is not all down to condom failure – a proportion of the pregnancies are no doubt due to failure to use condoms every time – this is still quite a high failure rate. Moreover, it is important to bear in mind that whilst condoms are required to provide protection during one week of each month in order to prevent pregnancy (the week during which a woman is ovulating), a condom must provide protection on each and every occasion of sexual intercourse if it is to be a reliable form of protection against HIV infection and other STIs.

In general, condoms provide an effective barrier against HIV and other STIs, and given that so many people practise penetrative sex as part of their sex lives, it is important that they are used properly. They are still the most effective barrier to HIV transmission during sexual intercourse.

In this section, we outline how to use condoms and lubricants most effectively, which cuts down on the already small risk of something going wrong.

Which condom is safest? Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this question. There is no national watchdog agency overseeing the safety of all condoms sold in the UK. There is no independent comparative sampling and testing of condoms as actually sold in packets. And it is not illegal to market condoms which don't measure up to the British Standard BS EN600, which lays down requirements for good quality condoms.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.