[Question #10346] Broken condom?
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23 months ago
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Hello!
Thank you for your work! I am adding an odd question, my apologies in advance. I had vaginal sex with a woman of unknown status. Three intercourses over the night. I wore a new condom each time (Durex Extra Safe). I took them off after sex and did not notice any obvious damage. Although I wasn't paying much attention at the time and was tipsy. I disposed of them in the garbage bin in the bathroom.
Almost two days later, as I was cleaning the house, I got the paranoid idea that I should check whether the condoms were intact. I got them out of the bin (yuk, i know), filled them with water, and tied them up. It all looked alright, they didn't burst or anything, but being a paranoid person, I left them in the bathtub. About an hour later, I noticed that one of the water-filled condoms shrunk in size. I inspected it more closely and noticed three micro holes at the tip of the condom.
I realize that I should have disposed of them like a normal person. Instead, I've created the perfect soil for my anxiety.
In trying to calm myself down, I am telling myself that the almost two days of lying in a bin after being used and then being filled with water could in itself create the micro holes, and not that it was damaged during intercourse.
In your opinion was there risk enough that warrants testing?
Thanks!
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. Let me provide some information about condoms:
1. Condoms are highly protective for prevention of STIs including HIV as long as they are worn throughout sexual encounters.
2. When condoms fail, they break wide open leaving no doubt that they have failed. That your condoms appeared intact when you took them off is proof that they did their job.
3. The water test as well prolonged (days) of exposure to the environment would be expected to cause latex to deteriorate. I am not surprised to hear if the tiny defects you discovered in the condoms days after you used them
My sincere advise is to not worry about condom failure and to move forward without continuing concern. I see no reason for testing related to the exposure you describe. EWH
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23 months ago
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Thank you for your response! My big concern was exposing someone else later if I became a risk myself. This event was really uncharacteristic of me (being drunk and with a stranger) and I think that caused most of the anxiety for me. I will avoid such situations. Again, thank you for your response!
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
23 months ago
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I’m glad my comments were helpful. Again, congratulations on your commitment to say, condom protected sex. It will serve you well. EWH.---