Using Male and Female Condoms Together
No, male and female condoms should NOT be used together simultaneously during the same sexual act. While neither the CDC nor ACOG guidelines explicitly address concurrent use of both condom types, the established evidence on condom mechanics and failure rates makes this practice inadvisable.
Why Simultaneous Use Is Not Recommended
Friction between the two condom materials increases the risk of breakage or displacement for both barriers, which would eliminate protection rather than enhance it 1, 2.
Condom failure typically results from incorrect or inconsistent use rather than material defects, with breakage rates of only 2 per 100 condoms when used properly 1, 3.
The female condom already has a higher slippage rate (5.6%) compared to male condoms (1.1%), and adding friction from a second barrier would likely worsen this 2.
The Correct Approach: Choose One Method
Use either a male condom OR a female condom for each sexual act—never both simultaneously.
When to Use Male Condoms
- Male latex condoms provide the strongest documented protection against STIs, including HIV, based on multiple cohort studies of serodiscordant couples 1, 3.
- They are generally easier to access, lower cost, and have lower failure rates when used correctly 4.
- Protection against HIV ranges from 60-95% in heterosexual serodiscordant partners, with most recent data showing 80% effectiveness 5.
When to Use Female Condoms
- Female condoms should be considered when male condoms cannot be used appropriately, as they provide a female-controlled barrier option 1, 6.
- Laboratory studies demonstrate they are effective mechanical barriers to viruses, including HIV, though clinical data are more limited 1.
- Female condoms have higher pregnancy failure rates (26% estimated 12-month failure rate) compared to male condoms, reflecting challenges with consistent and correct use 1.
Critical Success Factors for Either Method
- Apply the condom before any genital contact and use a new condom for each sexual act 3.
- Use only water-based lubricants (K-Y Jelly, Astroglide, AquaLube) with latex condoms, as oil-based lubricants weaken latex and increase failure risk 1.
- Experience significantly improves success rates: combined failure rates for female condoms drop from 20% at first use to 1.2% after 15+ uses 2.
Common Pitfall to Avoid
The misconception that "double bagging" provides extra protection is dangerous—using two condoms together creates friction that dramatically increases the likelihood both will fail, leaving you with no protection at all 1, 2.