Consumer Reports Ranks Planned Parenthood Condoms Low

07/24/2014 17:31

 https://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/1339521.html

 

Consumer Reports Ranks Planned Parenthood Condoms Low

 
Updated: Fri 7:20 PM, Jan 07, 2005
 

Consumer Reports claims two out of the three types of condoms offered free by Planned Parenthood, have poor ratings in terms of strength and reliability.

Critics suggest that the agency distributes the condoms, knowing they will fail, which leads to unwanted pregnancies and new customers.

Debbie McCall of Planned Parenthood of Bryan disagrees.

"No, that is not true. We are not handing out defective condoms to bring in more business, that is so wrong," said McCall.

Consumer Reports air-burst tested 23 condoms of different brands and types. The test fills a condom with air and lab workers then log the length of time it takes to burst. The worst two performers are distributed by Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood's argument is that the air-burst test is unrealistic and the better test is one for safety, using water to test for seepage.

"It's the water pressure of it and the fluid, you don't want the fluid to seep out. I hate to say that, but that's what it's all about," said McCall.

David Bereit with Coalition for Life has a different opinion.

"If they have an ounce of integrity, I hope they do the right thing and I hope they educate the community and withdraw those condoms that are on the market right now," said Bereit.

Since the ratings, Planned Parenthood has resubmitted its condoms for independent testing. The agency says all received excellent results. Also, all condoms including the ones tested by Consumer Reports are FDA approved.

Gynecologist Dr. Betty Acker said that's all that matters.

"If they're all expectable, if they're all going to prevent against micro-bacteria up to this size or sperm up to this size, I don't care which one is which, as long as they pass their safety and they do what they're supposed to do," said Acker.

Planned Parenthood will continue distributing its condoms, but says education is the key to preventing unwanted pregnancies.