Oops! The condom broke when you were having romantic Valentine’s Day sex. Well, it has been known to happen. All the love in the air probably turned it into a sweaty situation, but, worry not. While it is not an ideal situation, it is also not the end of the world. We are already impressed that you take safe sex seriously and would like to offer a practical guide for what to do when your condom breaks.
Here are some steps to take if your episode of passion is interrupted by a condom mishap:
Stop Right Away
If a condom breaks during sex, it is important to stop immediately and remove the broken condom. A condom is a barrier method of contraception and prevents the contact of bodily fluids and skin. When torn, it can no longer stop the transmission of sperm and infections, which can lead to an unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). That is why it is crucial to stop sex and remove the condom. It is not fun to end sex abruptly, especially if you are having a good time, but taking the time to assess the situation and doing what’s needed goes a long way in keeping you safe.
Wash Up
The next thing to do is wash up. If a condom breaks during sexual activity, it’s important to wash your genital area to reduce the risk of infection. Water and gentle soap help to remove any semen, vaginal fluid, or other bodily fluids that may have come into contact with the skin, which can help to reduce the risk of STIs. While washing is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of STIs, it is not a guarantee. For this reason, you need to take some other steps as well.
Get Health Care
If you can get pregnant but don’t want to, and a condom was your only method of contraception, then you should consider getting an emergency contraceptive. An emergency contraceptive is a method used after sex to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of emergency contraceptives: the emergency contraceptive pill and an intrauterine device. Depending on your location, you can get an emergency contraceptive pill from a pharmacy, even without a prescription. However, to get an intrauterine device, you will have to go to a doctor.
Aside from getting an emergency contraceptive, it is also useful to contact a health-care provider to discuss the risk of STIs. In the case of a condom accident, they can provide information and advice on the best course of action, including getting tested and starting any necessary treatment such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV after possible exposure, for instance.
Test for STIs
Even if you do not have symptoms, consider getting tested for STIs because many STIs are asymptomatic. This means you could be infected and not even know it. Timely testing can lead to early detection, which makes it easier to treat STIs and also reduce the risk of long-term health problems. Getting tested for STIs has many benefits, especially in the event of condom breakage. But it is important for two main reasons: your peace of mind and your partner’s well-being. By getting tested and treated for STIs, you can be sure of your health status and reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to your partner.
Prevent Future Accidents
What’s the point of a mistake or an accident if you don’t learn from it? To prevent this from happening again, be careful with condoms. Make sure to check the expiration date before buying and using a condom as expired condoms are more likely to break. Also, choose the right size for your needs. Using a condom that is too small or too large can increase the risk of breakage. It is equally important to store condoms properly. Keep them in a cool, dry place and away from direct heat and sunlight to prevent damage to the condom. Needless to say, use a new condom every time you have sex and follow the instructions on the packaging for how to put them on and use them. For extra support, use plenty of lubricant which will reduce friction and increase the strength and effectiveness of the condom.
Take a Pregnancy Test
There will always be a chance of getting pregnant if a condom breaks during sex. So, it is recommended to take a pregnancy test. A pregnancy test can provide reliable and accurate results about whether you are pregnant or not, and taking one soon after a condom breaks can help you make informed decisions about your next steps. It’s important to remember that the timeframe for taking a pregnancy test will vary from individual to individual and from situation to situation. But, it’s generally recommended to wait until your menstruation is late. If your menstrual cycle is irregular, then it is advised to wait for around two weeks to get an accurate result.
Dealing with an Unintended Pregnancy
If you do get pregnant as a result of a condom breakage but don’t want to keep the pregnancy, you can have a safe abortion. An abortion is a medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy. There are two types of abortion: medical abortion and surgical abortion. A medical abortion involves taking medication to end the pregnancy. A surgical abortion involves a minor procedure to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. It’s important to note that abortion laws and access to abortion services vary by country and region, so it’s important to seek information and guidance from a qualified health-care provider about the options available to you. At safe2choose, we do just that.
safe2choose is a social enterprise that supports reproductive health and access to safe abortion. Through our website, we provide online counseling and information about abortion, including abortion procedures and laws. When needed, we also refer people to trusted, trained and pro-choice health-care providers. Our team is made up of multilingual counselors, medical doctors and public health experts who work together to guide you through this important decision. If you would like to get in touch, send an email to info@safe2choose.org.