Do Women Really Buy 40% of Condoms? The Truth

You've probably heard it before: women buy four out of every 10 condoms sold. It sounds empowering, progressive, and like a sign that attitudes about sexual health have evolved. There's just one problem—it's not true.

Current market data from 2024-2025 paints a very different picture. Men account for roughly 89.59% of condom purchases, while women represent only about 10.41% of buyers. That's closer to one out of every 10 condoms, not four.

Where Did the 40% Myth Come From?

The origins of this statistic are murky at best. No verifiable research or sales data supports the 40% claim. It's likely a case of wishful thinking becoming "fact" through repetition—the kind of statistic that sounds right because we want it to be true.

What makes this myth particularly sticky is its appeal. It suggests gender equality in sexual responsibility, which is obviously a good thing. But repeating false statistics doesn't advance that cause—it obscures the real barriers women still face.

The Real Numbers Tell a Different Story

While women aren't buying 40% of condoms, the situation isn't entirely bleak. The women's segment of the condom market is experiencing faster growth than the men's segment, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 9.89%. Design improvements, better marketing, and empowerment messaging are gradually shifting attitudes.

Still, the current reality reveals ongoing stigma. About 25% of U.S. women prefer someone else purchase their condoms, compared to just 8% of men. Social anxiety and embarrassment remain significant barriers, sometimes leading to unprotected sex or reliance solely on hormonal contraception.

Why the Gender Gap Persists

Sexual health has historically been framed as taboo for women, creating shame around purchasing sex-related products. Despite decades of progress, these cultural attitudes linger. Women report feeling judged at checkout counters, worrying about being perceived as "promiscuous" for taking responsibility for their sexual health.

The consequences extend beyond hurt feelings. When barriers to condom access exist—whether psychological or social—people make riskier choices. Research shows that gender-neutral condom promotion increases usage by 10-15% among both men and women, proving that shared responsibility benefits everyone.

Interestingly, 60.2 million women in the U.S. have used condoms with a partner, and among sexually experienced teens ages 15-19, a whopping 95.4% had used a condom at least once. So women are using condoms at high rates—they're just not always the ones buying them.

The Bottom Line

No, women don't buy 40% of condoms. But the real story is more nuanced than a single statistic. While current purchasing rates are low, they're climbing. Cultural attitudes are slowly shifting. And the conversation about shared sexual responsibility is happening more openly than ever before.

The myth of the 40% statistic might have come from good intentions, but accuracy matters. Understanding the real numbers helps us address the actual barriers women face—and that's a better path toward genuine equality in sexual health.