Two-Thirds of Australian Women Report Sex Without Condoms Due to Availability, Study Finds
A new study reveals that a majority of Australian women have engaged in sexual activity without a condom, primarily because one was not readily available, highlighting issues of convenience and societal judgment.
A recent study indicates that 66.6 percent of Australian women have had sex without a condom due to a lack of availability. The research, commissioned by sexual wellness brand Moments, surveyed 1,111 Australian women aged 18 to 45.
Findings from the Moments Sexual Health Study 2026 suggest that nearly half of respondents, 48.1 percent, admitted to this occurring more than once. A significant concern highlighted by the study is the perception that women face greater judgment than men for carrying condoms, with nearly two-thirds of participants holding this belief.
While 46.5 percent of women surveyed believe that protection during sex is a shared responsibility, the study revealed a disconnect between this belief and actual practice. Only 21.2 percent reported that condom provision was a shared effort in their most recent sexual encounter or relationship.
"There is a twenty-five point gap between what women believe about shared responsibility and what actually happens," stated Christina Zafirov, Brand & Marketing Manager at Moments Wellness. "Nearly half think it should be equal. One in five says it was. In the space between those two numbers sits a decision about her body that got made by default, by whoever remembered."
Reasons cited for women not carrying protection included the assumption that their partner would have one (29.5 percent) and a desire not to appear as though they were expecting sex (21.1 percent). Embarrassment if someone saw them with a condom was also a factor for 18.7 percent of respondents. The study noted that while women may feel comfortable discussing condoms with a partner, they can still feel scrutinized in public.
According to the study, 63.76 percent of respondents felt women are judged more harshly than men for carrying condoms. When describing women seen with condoms, respondents were more likely to use terms like someone who "sleeps around" (38.63 percent), compared to describing men with terms like "prepared" (43.86 percent) or "responsible" (39.71 percent).
Furthermore, the study raised concerns about sexual health education, with 22.8 percent of respondents relying on other forms of contraception. When asked which methods protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), only 77.5 percent correctly identified condoms, while 22.6 percent were misinformed, and 26.2 percent incorrectly included the contraceptive pill.
Moments aims to shift societal perceptions through its 'Women Carry Condoms Too' campaign, which runs through September for Sexual Health Month. The campaign promotes the idea of preparedness, suggesting a simple mantra: "Phone. Keys. Condom." The brand emphasizes that being prepared ensures that if both individuals wish to have sex, the necessary protection is available, reducing unnecessary risks.
The Moments Sexual Health Study 2026 surveyed 1,111 Australian women aged 18 to 45. Comparisons were drawn from previous waves of the study conducted in 2017 and 2021. The full findings are available on the Moments Wellness website.