Condoms are a highly effective form of contraception when used correctly and can prevent unplanned pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV. But they do break sometimes, and it’s important to know what to do if this happens.
There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk if a condom breaks during anal or vaginal sex:
Stop the Intercourse
A condom breaks during sex and suddenly you’re at risk of pregnancy and STIs. Luckily, there are steps you can take right away to mitigate the risks.
When a condom slips or breaks, the first thing you need to do is stop having sex and withdraw your penis. This can be difficult, but it’s important to keep your focus and stay calm to minimize the chance of exposing yourself to infectious organisms.
During oral, anal, or vaginal sex, the transmission of bacteria and viruses is most common when a condom breaks. If a condom rips during these sex types, you may be at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Accidents happen, especially in a moment of passion. A condom worn incorrectly, handled roughly, or past its expiration date may break or slip off during sex.
It’s also possible to get pregnant from precum, the clear liquid secreted by the penis prior to orgasm. The risk of getting pregnant from precum is lower than that of a sperm entering the uterus, but it’s still worth taking immediate action. If you’re not already on birth control, consider using emergency contraception such as the morning-after pill or ella. It’s also a good idea to see your doctor or nurse practitioner as soon as possible to discuss whether you should receive post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.
Withdraw the Penis
There are a few things you should do if your condom breaks during or after sex. First, assess the situation. Did the break happen before or after ejaculation? It is possible to get pregnant or contract sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if the condom breaks during intercourse and you’re not careful. However, if you’ve made sure the condom is on properly and that there are no air bubbles trapped inside – and your partner hasn’t pre-ejaculated – then it should be safe to continue.
If you’re not sure if the condom broke during or after sex, then stop and withdraw. Don’t yank it off; be gentle so you don’t break the latex or cause an infection. Then, gently try to retrieve any semen or sperm that has leaked out. It’s possible you won’t be able to retrieve all of it. You can also try to expel the semen with water or other liquids like mouthwash.
Once you’ve pulled out the condom, it’s time to decide what to do next. You’ll probably need to take emergency contraception if the condom broke before or during sex, or if your partner didn’t use protection. There are different options, such as Plan B or ella or the copper IUD, depending on your age and menstrual cycle, so it’s important to discuss these with your physician.
Dispose of the Condom
When a condom breaks or slips off during sex, you might worry about an unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection. However, it’s important to remember that accidents happen. Condoms that are worn incorrectly, handled roughly or used past their expiration date can break or slip during sex.
If your condom rips during sex, you should assess the situation to determine whether it broke before or after you and your partner had ejaculation. In either case, you should immediately stop the intercourse and expel any semen from the penis or vagina.
You should then dispose of the condom. This is best done in a trash can or designated disposal bin that is out of sight from others (ie, not on the street or near a woodland area). Do not flush used condoms down the toilet. This can cause blockages in sewer systems and lead to costly repairs. Condoms that aren’t disposed of properly can also pollute water bodies and harm marine life.
If you are worried about STIs, you should get tested as soon as possible after the condom breaks. However, it’s important to note that most STIs have a window period before they start showing symptoms, so you might not know you have an infection until you get tested after the symptomatic period has passed. It’s also a good idea to use the right size condom when using lubricant and change it frequently, even between uses.
Expel Semen
Condoms are a great way to prevent pregnancy and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) during oral, anal, and vaginal sex. However, even when used correctly, condoms can break. If this happens, it’s important to take fast action.
Depending on whether the condom broke before or after ejaculation, different precautions will need to be taken. In both cases, the first step is to immediately stop having sex and dispose of the condom. Then, both partners can go to the bathroom and rinse off their penis with water (but don’t douche or wash the rectum). This will help reduce the risk of infection.
Also, both partners should try to expel as much semen as possible from the anus and cervix. Using an external (“male”) condom, which is placed on the penis, can make this easier. Also, using lubrication can help. But it’s important to use water-based lubrication instead of oil-based. The chemicals in oil-based lube can weaken latex and cause condoms to break.
The good news is that most condom breakages occur because the condoms are not used correctly or they’re too old. To avoid this, it’s important to always check the expiration date of your condoms and to store them away from heat, light, and sharp objects like scissors or teeth. In addition, it’s a good idea to avoid using multiple condoms at the same time.
