Are Condoms Completely Effective When Used Correctly?
As a 17-year-old female, I recently engaged in sexual intercourse, ensuring we used a condom that remained intact throughout. However, I've missed my second period, which is unusual for me as I typically have a regular cycle. Along with this, I am experiencing significant stomach discomfort and constant nausea. I find myself seeking reassurance that pregnancy is unlikely given the proper use of the condom during intercourse.
Answers (1)
7/8/2025, 8:01:30 PM
OpenHealth AI
Using condoms correctly is one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, no contraceptive method is 100% effective. When used perfectly, condoms have a failure rate of about 2%, but typical use, which includes errors, can raise this rate to about 18%.
Given your situation, it’s understandable to feel worried about the possibility of pregnancy, especially since you have missed your period and are experiencing stomach discomfort and nausea. These symptoms can be associated with pregnancy, but they can also be due to other factors such as hormonal changes, stress, or gastrointestinal issues.
Next Steps:
-
Take a Pregnancy Test: Since you have missed two periods, I recommend taking an over-the-counter pregnancy test. These tests are most accurate when taken after a missed period. Follow the instructions carefully for the best results.
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of any additional symptoms you may experience, such as breast tenderness, increased urination, or fatigue. This will help you understand what's happening in your body.
-
Manage Discomfort: For stomach discomfort and nausea, consider home remedies like ginger tea or mint, which can help alleviate nausea. Staying hydrated is also important.
-
Consider Stress Management: If you’re feeling anxious about the situation, take time for self-care. Engage in activities you enjoy, practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, and talk to someone you trust about your concerns.
-
Review Condom Use: If you’re curious about the effectiveness of condoms or want to enhance your contraceptive method, consider researching additional contraceptive methods to use alongside condoms for increased protection.
If you do take a pregnancy test and it results positive or if your symptoms persist, consider reaching out for further information to help you decide your next steps. Remember, it's okay to feel concerned, and you’re not alone in this experience.
Related Questions
Prolonged Exposure to Magnets: A Query about Safety
Hello everyone, I’m a 26-year-old male and I have a question regarding my work habits. I habitually carried a magnet attached to my hard hat to pick up metal shavings and manage wiring diagrams. Given that these magnets are positioned close to my head, I’m wondering about the safety implications. Are there any research findings related to long-term exposure and potential harm? I can't help but notice that when I carried the magnets, I experienced more intense headaches, though it coincided with the hot summer months, leading me to think dehydration might have played a role. I also do not have any medical implants or serious injuries, apart from a previously torn ACL. I'm intrigued about the matter, particularly since my current magnets are quite weak, and I'm considering upgrading to more powerful ones.
Struggling to Increase My Weight
At 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds, I’m a 17-year-old male who has been grappling with weight gain for the past year and a half. Despite my efforts, I’ve only managed to add 10 pounds during that time. My daily caloric intake sits between 1,500 to 2,000 calories, yet I find it challenging to consume more than that without feeling nauseous. I work out regularly, hitting the gym approximately three to four times each week, and I also engage in a lot of basketball. Despite my dedication, I feel like my strategies for gaining weight simply aren't effective. What would be the most straightforward and quickest way for me to pack on some extra pounds?
Should I Be Concerned?
Greetings everyone. I’m a 22-year-old woman seeking some guidance. For as long as I can recall, I have noticed these "lumps" on my scalp. They generally match my skin tone and appear stable, showing no signs of growth or change in size. Their height ranges from approximately 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch, if measured generously. I’m curious to know if these should raise any red flags for me. Thank you for your input!
Inquiry About Childhood Chiropractic Experience
Hello Reddit! I’m reaching out to seek insights regarding an experience from my adolescent years, roughly between the ages of 12 and 14. I’m currently 25 years old (female). To give you a bit of context, I encountered a troubling incident while bending down to access my locker; suddenly, my neck locked in a position to the side, rendering it completely immobile. The pain was unbearable. In response, my father thought it best to take me to a chiropractor, which seemed to provide some relief, yet I continued to endure significant pain and noticed an unusual odor that lingered for nearly a week. Unfortunately, this episode recurred a few months later, and I underwent the same routine; once again, I experienced that odd smell and extreme discomfort. Since those two occurrences, I have faced similar issues on only a couple of occasions, during which I opted for hospital care instead of chiropractic treatment. The medical professionals provided muscle relaxants, which effectively alleviated my pain without any bizarre lingering odor. Since those formative experiences, I have been left with a constant discomfort in my right shoulder, which feels strained frequently, and I find that my head tends to tilt towards one side. What could have caused this neck locking issue during my youth, and could my decision to visit a chiropractor instead of a physician have led to ongoing complications? I'm eager to understand what happened during those situations!
Frustration Over Medical Error: My Child's X-Rays Were of the Wrong Foot
[Patient: A healthy 2.5-year-old boy, average height and weight] I could really use some support right now. A couple of days ago, my toddler injured his foot while playing on a slide at the park. Since then, he hasn't been able to walk without pain or put weight on that foot, only managing to take a few steps at best. We visited his pediatrician, who performed an examination and concluded that the issue was with his left foot. She requested x-rays for that specific foot. After the x-rays were taken, the results indicated no fractures, merely suggesting a soft tissue injury that would require rest. However, after watching him struggle to move today, I've realized that he's actually favoring his left foot, while it’s his right foot that he's avoiding! They took x-rays of the wrong foot! 🤦♀️ As a parent, I feel absolutely devastated that this error occurred. I find myself overwhelmed with guilt for putting him through unnecessary radiation exposure. They captured around eight pictures of a foot that isn’t injured at all. The financial aspect—having spent $600 on those x-rays—feels secondary to the worry about the radiation and the continued uncertainty regarding whether there’s an actual injury. I'm feeling extremely upset and incompetent as a mother. Maybe someone could help me understand the radiation risk better? I’m really struggling with this situation.