Inconsistent use, however, offers little more protection than not using them. Latex condoms, used with or without spermicide, offer greater protection against HIV and other STDs than do natural membrane condoms. Color, shape, size, and other qualities don't affect reliability. The FTC regulates latex condoms as medical devices and governs their manufacture according to stringent national standards. Condoms made in the United States undergo strict quality testing throughout the manufacturing process.
Every condom is tested electronically for defects before it's even packaged.
Random samplings of millions of these condoms have been found to be 99.7 percent defect-free.