[Question #13989] Condom rolled up during sex STD risks

2 hours ago

Dear Doctor,

My question is pretty much summed up in title - condom rolled up more than half way on my casual partner’s penis during anal sex. He had not ejaculated, penis head was covered in condom, but more than half of the condom had rolled up off of the base of penis.

I’m assuming my risks for fluid based STD are relatively low aka chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV?

My other main concern is syphilis due to akin to skin contact of his penis shaft and my genital. I did not notice sores but I also do not know this man’s sexual health history. It was entirely once off casual encounter.

What are my risks based on this and do I need to take doxy PEP? Why does condom roll up? Never used to happen.

Thank you

Edward W. Hook M.D.

53 minutes ago

Welcome back to our Forum. Thanks for your continuing confidence in our service. I'll be glad to provide information. It is not unusual for condoms to roll up during sex. That does NOT prevent them from doing their most important job- protecting from the common fluid based STIs (gonorrhea and chlamydia) or the most serious STI (HIV) which require exposure of the tip of the penis and urethra for nearly all transmission. As you point out, that the condom rolled up reduced some of the protection from syphilis but syphilis is less common than the other STIs, most syphilis related to exposure of the head of the penis, and even most direct single exposures to syphilis do not result in transmission of infection, Thus your risk is low. The decision to take doxy-PEP is a personal decision but if you chose to take it within 48 hour of your encounter, it would virtually eliminate any risk of syphilis as well.

I hppe that this information is helpful. EWH

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