First things first: don’t panic. Don’t worry, condom breakage is common, and there are ways to prevent it, as well as things to do after the fact to help keep your chances of pregnancy or contracting an STI low.
Condoms aren’t perfect (they aren’t even 100% effective), so yes, sometimes they break. According to several Pharmacists we spoke to, it’s usually due to friction, which is an issue because sex is like…80% friction when you think about it. Obviously, there’s nothing you can do about that, but the situation could be made worse if you aren’t using the right lubrication, or if there isn’t a sufficient amount of lube.
According to experts there are steps you can take, however, to reduce your risk of breakage.
Check the expiration date
Yup, condoms expire, so make sure you are checking the date before you use it. The expiration date is usually printed on the packaging so make a pattern of checking for it every time.
Store your condoms correctly
You have to worry about how you’re storing your condoms too. Make sure that they’re stored in a room temperature environment. That means don’t keep an emergency condom in your car because the heat will pretty much render it useless, and keeping them in a really cold place won’t work either.
Only use one
You’ve probably heard this before, but I’m going to reiterate it. Don’t wear two condoms—it won’t provide twice the coverage. In actuality, that friction between two layered condoms can increase the risk of breakage. So you’ll end up doing more harm than good.
Choose the right lubricant
Do not use oil based lubrication. People will use Vaseline as a cheaper method of lubrication, but it can actually wear down the condom. You can also run into issues if you aren’t using enough lubrication. Try something water-based and be liberal with the use of it.
Will you feel it if the condom breaks?
If you feel it during intercourse, you should stop, but sometimes it’s much harder to tell. It depends on the person and the context of the intercourse. While the person wearing the condom may feel it, the receiver might not. And it’s possible that neither partner will realize that the condom broke until after intercourse, post-ejaculation. Of course, at that point, you’re possibly already at a higher risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. So then it’s important to take steps to reduce your risks.
If the condom breaks during intercourse, stop immediately. Don’t panick. First and foremost, keep calm. Freaking out won’t solve anything. Take a moment to assess the situation. Did the condom break completely, or is it just a small tear? The extent of the damage can determine your next steps. Remember, a clear head is your best friend right now.
Gentlemen, carefully withdraw and make sure to remove the broken condom. Ladies, you might want to check if any pieces of the condom are left inside. It’s important to do this gently to avoid any discomfort or further issues.
Go to a primary care physician to figure out your risk of pregnancy or STIs.
As far as preventing an unwanted pregnancy, you can ask all your options with your doctor, so if you are unsure what to do after a condom breaks, go talk to your doctor and they will be able to help you out depending on your situation.
Most importantly, if a condom does break and you’re not sure what to do, don’t be worried because doctors are here to support you.
