International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Any rise in the number of people using condoms is good news, according to the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Official figures released this week indicated that contraceptive sheaths are now equally as popular as the pill among UK women, a trend which may be reflected in other countries.

This is the first time that the condom has been reported as being used at a level equal to that of the birth control pill.

Commenting on the statistics, Victoria Sheard, deputy head of policy at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said it was positive news that more people are considering using condoms.

She added: "Condoms obviously provide that double protection against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy.

"What we would say is that it is really important that people have the discussion with their partner about what kind of contraception is most appropriate for them – whether that's the condom, or the pill or one of the other options."

According to the Office for National Statistics, 75 per cent of all women in the UK are using contraception.