A couple uses condoms consistently and correctly. The 'perfect use' failure rate of male condoms in the first year is approximately:

• A 12 per 100 women-years
• B 2 per 100 women-years ✓
• C 18 per 100 women-years
• D 5 per 100 women-years

Explanation

Pearl Index (perfect use) for male condoms is approximately 2 per 100 women-years — meaning 2 unintended pregnancies per 100 couples using condoms correctly and consistently for one year. The 'typical use' failure rate is much higher at 12–18 per 100 women-years due to inconsistent or incorrect use. For context: combined OCP perfect use failure = 0.3/100 WY; typical use = 9/100 WY. Cu-IUD failure = 0.6/100 WY.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.