Some condoms not strong enough

60 million consumers carried out tests on 18 references of condoms. The resistance of some disappoints …

Ahead of World AIDS Day, which will take place on December 1, 60 million consumers put male condoms to the test. The magazine carried out tests on eighteen references of this method of contraception, which is also the only way to limit the risk of contracting a disease or a sexually transmitted infection during penetration. Four condoms have poor results.

60 million consumers evaluated the risk of condoms breaking and bursting, before and after passing them in an oven to assess stability over time. "A tensile test" was first produced, explains Benjamin Douriez, author of the article and editor-in-chief of the magazine, to Franceinfo. This involves stretching the condom until it breaks. Then the burst was tested. "There, we inflate the condom, gradually, to measure when, at what pressure, it will burst. Knowing that there are standards that frame this pressure at the bursting, which defines, in a way, the resistance condom ", he specifies.

Of the eighteen models tested, four posed a problem: the Contact by Manix, the Invisible by Soft, the Classic by Pharmactiv and the Get out covered, a reference reimbursable by health insurance. "Holes were found on the first of them", precise 60 million consumers. "You should know that you cannot necessarily trust a brand, since for example the Manix brand, pinned for one of its models, has another reference which has passed our tests well", indicates Benjamin Douriez.

So, how do you choose the right condoms? The European CE mark is mandatory, but some condoms may also display the NF mark, which is not mandatory. However, it is more demanding, and the manufacturers submit their products to it themselves. However, "The NF-marked condoms in our selection do not all come out on top. Chance of sampling or the impact of poor storage? In any case, it would be good if the verification procedures which ensure the quality of these devices are more reliable ", emphasizes the magazine. He still recommends choosing condoms that bear the NF mark, or the Swiss OK mark.

60 million consumers notes two other problems in his study. Some models that claim to be "ultra-thin" are as thick as the "thin", like the Contact by Manix and the Invisible by Soft. Another problem: latex-free condoms, essential for people with allergies or intolerance, are often more expensive. The three models tested in the study did not show a resistance problem, but "they are difficult to find at less than 1 euro per condom, when you buy them in boxes of 10. It is about twice as expensive as the average price of a latex condom", reports Benjamin Douriez.

Contraception becomes free for children under 15

Video by Loïcia Fouillen

Also read: 5 things you may not have known about condoms

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