[Question #4410] Concern About Condom Failure

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82 months ago
A week ago I met a young woman online and we had sex. I wore a condom that did not break (water tested afterward). I could not ejaculate during intercourse due to decreased sensitivity from the condom. Therefore, I withdrew and "finished" via hand job. This is my first actual act of intercourse outside my marriage in years, and I have developed fears that the condom may not have "worked." I am not so much concerned about STDs, though that is pertinent to this post. But my anxiety is focused on the possibility that she may have somehow gotten pregnant from this encounter. I realize that the odds of this are small since I did not ejaculate into the condom. My concern involves whether pre-cum could possibly leak out of the tip of the condom through a small hole that may have been invisible. I'm pretty sure this is guilt taking over, but I'm fearful nonetheless (such as why do statistics say that there is a 2% risk of condom failure despite "perfect use." Hoping you might offer some clarification or advice. Oh, she said that is on the pill, which I know would offer extra protection, but since we don't know each other well, I'm not counting that as fact. Thank you for your help.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
82 months ago
Welcome to the forum.  I'll be glad to comment.  When consider all that you describe, I really think that you have little to worry about, both in terms of STIs and pregnancy risk.  Let's review.

In terms of pregnancy - your partner states she is on the pill, why would she not tell the truth?  Further, you used a condom, presumably for the entirety of the encounter and condoms are highly effective.  The 2% failure rate you quote is for couples who use condoms repeatedly for multiple acts of intercourse.  Further, studies of condom use have indicated that many presumes who report perfect condom use actually do not used them correctly, putting them on after initial penetration or making other errors in use.  Finally, please don't worry about "small leaks".  When condoms fail, they break wide open, they do not leak just a little.

Similarly, in terms of STIs. You risk is similarly low.  Most people do not have STIs and, just as for pregnancy risk, even most unprotected exposures do not lead to infection (or pregnancy).  Finally, once again,your condom offered protection.

I suspect your anxiety is primarily a function of guilt, nothing more.  I hope my comments are helpful.  EWH
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