If your condom breaks, it's important to know what to do to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
There are certain standards that condoms are designed to follow, but despite this, they can sometimes break if the product is the wrong size, has been stored incorrectly, or if it has been used incorrectly.
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HOW TO KNOW IF A CONDOM HAS BROKEN?
When a condom breaks, sometimes you can tell right away. Other times, you may not realize it until after sex is over.
There are different ways to tell if a condom has broken before, during, and after sex:
- Before sex, you may notice that the skin of the penis protrudes from the opening when you put it on;
- During sex, a tight, uncomfortable condom may suddenly feel comfortable – this can happen if a condom that is smaller than the required size suddenly breaks;
- During sex, you may notice that the sensitivity of your penis has suddenly improved, often becoming wetter or warmer;
- During sex, you may feel a ring-like tightening just below the head of the penis (glans) – this can happen if the condom has torn and pulled in and rolled up behind the head;
- after sex you may see a visible tear;
- After sex, you may also see semen leaking from the tip of the condom or elsewhere.
Not only can the outer ("male") condom that you put on your penis break, but also the inner ("female") condom that you insert into your vagina.
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HOW TO CHECK?
If you are unsure whether the condom has broken or not, take it to the bathroom and fill it with water to the top. If the condom has broken somewhere, you will see a small stream of water.
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IF THE CONDOM BROKE, WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
If the condom breaks during sex, stop intercourse immediately and remove it carefully without pulling.
Then you and your partner will need to determine two things:
- The degree of the tear : a large tear, a smaller hole, or a tear at the base of the condom? This not only informs how much risk the receiving partner has of getting pregnant or catching an STI, but also how high the risk is for the active partner for STIs such as herpes, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Degree of contact with semen : This includes not only contact with semen after ejaculation, but also pre-ejaculate that may flow from the penis during sexual arousal.
These things can help each partner understand what to do.
For the passive partner
If the condom breaks after ejaculation, there is obviously more contact with semen. In such cases, try to remove as much semen as possible from the vagina or rectum. You can try squatting or sitting on the toilet and pressing on your lower abdomen, simulating a bowel movement. After that, gently wash your anus or vagina with soap and water. You should do the same even if you have not ejaculated.
What not to do: Don't scrub your vagina or anus, don't douche, or use harsh cleansers or disinfectants. These can damage delicate tissues and remove protective mucus, making it easier for STIs to enter your body.
For an active partner
Immediately wash the penis, scrotum, and groin area with warm, soapy water. You can also force yourself to urinate, which some studies suggest may reduce the risk of STIs, such as gonorrhea, by flushing bacteria out of the urethra.
Urination is less beneficial for women due to the larger area of exposed mucosal tissue and the shorter length of the urethra.
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UNWANTED PREGNANCY
If a condom breaks and you are not using other forms of contraception, such as oral contraceptives, an unintended pregnancy can occur. Although the risk may be lower if ejaculation does not occur or the condom break is relatively small, there are still steps you can take to reduce the chance of pregnancy.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is a form of birth control after sexual intercourse. It comes in two forms:
- Copper intrauterine device (IUD): A T-shaped device placed in the uterus to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg (sold under the names Paragard, Mirena, and others).
- Morning-after pills.
Emergency contraception can be started within five days (120 hours) of unprotected sex, although some pills work best when taken three days after sex (72 hours).
When to take a pregnancy test
Even if you used emergency contraception, you can still take a pregnancy test to make sure you didn't accidentally get pregnant. You should wait at least three weeks after the condom accidentally broke before taking a home pregnancy test.
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STIs
A broken condom puts you and your partner at risk of contracting any number of STIs. HIV is the main concern, partly because it is incurable and also because infections can be prevented if immediate action is taken.
If you believe you have exchanged bodily fluids (such as semen, vaginal fluids, or anal secretions) and you are unsure about your HIV status or that of your partner, contact your nearest clinic or emergency room immediately with your partner.
They will help you assess your risk factors for HIV infection, offer a rapid HIV test to check if you have the disease, and decide if you need a 28-day course of treatment, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) , to reduce your risk of HIV infection.
How soon should you get tested for STIs?
There are other STIs you should get tested for. However, you will have to wait before getting tested because STIs have a window period during which the virus or bacteria is not detectable.
Many of these tests detect immune proteins called antibodies that are produced in response to an STI. It can sometimes take weeks for the body to produce enough antibodies to be detected by current-generation tests.
Common STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, can usually be detected in a blood test after two to three weeks. Combination HIV tests usually allow for a reliable diagnosis within 18 to 45 days.
What are the signs of an STI?
Symptoms of STIs can vary depending on the type of infection, but there are some common signs to look out for if you think you may have been exposed to an STI:
- unusual discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus;
- pain when urinating;
- rashes, blisters, lesions, or ulcers on the genitals or anus;
- skin growths or warts on the genitals or anus;
- abnormal vaginal bleeding;
- unusual itching of the genitals or anus.
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WHY DO CONDOMS BREAK?
While it is possible that an error occurred during manufacturing, a more likely cause of a condom breaking is user error, which involves improper use or storage.
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MOST COMMON MISTAKES
- Using an expired condom.
- Exposing a condom to excessive heat (for example, in a purse, glove compartment, or windowsill).
- Roughly opening a condom package with teeth or scissors.
- Putting on a condom with the wrong side out (which causes excessive stretching of the latex or rubber).
- Using a condom that is too small.
- Using an oil-based lubricant on a latex condom (which damages the latex).
- Not using lubricant at all (which creates additional friction).
- Wearing two condoms (so-called "double-packing", which creates additional friction).
- Using a condom twice.
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HOW TO PREVENT A CONDOM FROM BREAKING
Once you understand why a condom breaks, you can take steps to prevent it from happening again.
- Check the expiration date of condoms and dispose of expired ones.
- Store condoms in a cool, dry drawer or cupboard out of direct sunlight.
- Open the condom carefully.
- Learn how to put on a condom correctly.
- Learn how to correctly determine the size of the condom you need.
- Use the right lubricant for the type of condom you are using.
- Never reuse condoms.
Author of the article Sergiy Fedorkiv for drugstore.org.ua