What to Do If You Notice Your Condom Broke During Sex

Condoms are thin, tube-shaped pieces of latex or plastic that protect your body during sex. When used correctly, condoms are almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy.

But even though condoms are an easy and inexpensive way to protect yourself, they’re not perfect. Sometimes, condoms break — even when you do everything right.

So, what should you do if a condom breaks? And how can you tell if it broke in the first place?

Signs your condom broke

It's not always easy to tell that a condom broke until you look at it afterward. If you're the person wearing it, you're more likely to notice something change. If you're the receptive partner, you may not feel anything at all — which is why it's worth checking rather than assuming. 

These signs can help you know if your condom is broken before, during, or after sex.

How often do condoms break?

Studies have found that condoms break between 1% and 12% of the time. And one study in particular found that condoms slip off at a similar rate. Of course, that’s a pretty wide range, but that’s all the more reason to make sure you know how to use condoms correctly.

Can condoms fail without breaking?

Yes, condoms can fail without breaking. For one thing, it’s possible for there to be a microtear in the condom. In this case, you probably won’t be able to see it and so won’t know that it’s broken. Also, semen can leak out of a condom if someone leaves it on for too long.

It’s important to remember that condoms aren’t 100% effective at preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), even when used properly.

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What to do if your condom breaks?

If the condom broke, don’t panic. If you’re still in the middle of having sex, the first thing to do is replace the condom with a new, unbroken one.

If you noticed the condom broke after sex, there are different steps you can take depending on whether you’re concerned about pregnancy or protecting yourself from HIV or other STIs.

What to do if you’re worried about getting pregnant from a broken condom?

If you’re worried about getting pregnant because a condom broke, here’s what to do. You have three emergency contraception options to protect against pregnancy.

What to do if you’re worried about HIV after a broken condom?

If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV after a condom breaks, you can take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is an emergency medication that you take after sex to protect yourself from getting HIV.

Keep in mind that you have to start PEP within 3 days after having unprotected sex for it to work. It’s also only available with a prescription. This means you’ll need to talk to a healthcare professional or go to urgent care before you can take this medication.

How soon should you take a pregnancy test after a condom breaks?

If you’re concerned about a possible pregnancy after a condom breaks, it’s best to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after having unprotected sex or as soon as you realize that your regular period is late.

How soon can you get tested for STIs after a condom breaks?

Most STIs will show up on tests 2 to 3 weeks after you’re exposed. With some types of HIV tests, it can take up to 3 months for detection.

Remember that you can have an STI without having any symptoms. So testing is the only way to be sure you don’t have one.

Condoms, even unbroken ones, don't always do a good job at protecting you from STIs that spread from close contact like human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, and syphilis. If you’re having oral, anal, or vaginal sex, you should consider getting tested regularly — even if you’ve never had a condom break.

How to protect yourself from broken condoms in the future

Condoms are great at preventing pregnancy and many STIs. But they don’t work all of the time. That’s why it’s a good idea to use more than one approach to safer sex.

Here are some ideas to consider:

• Use multiple types of birth control. If you don’t want to get pregnant, consider using condoms combined with another type of contraception, like birth control pills or an IUD.

• Be ready for an emergency. Get a pack of morning-after pills ahead of time to have on hand in case a condom breaks.

• Protect yourself against HIV. If you’re concerned about HIV, consider taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This is a medication that can prevent the spread of HIV. It protects people who don’t have HIV but are at risk of getting it — including men, women, and nonbinary people.

Why do condoms break?

Condoms usually break because of how they're used or stored, not because of an issue with the condom itself. Here are a few things that make a break more likely:

• Heat and friction: Storing condoms somewhere warm — like in a wallet, pocket, or car — breaks down the latex over time. And friction during sex without enough lubrication can do the same thing in the moment.

• Oil-based lubricants: Products like petroleum jelly, baby oil, and lotion degrade latex, sometimes within minutes. Only water- or silicone-based lube is safe with latex condoms.

• The wrong fit: A condom that's too tight can tear from the stretch. One that's too loose can bunch or slip, creating weak points.

• Wearing two at once: Doubling up can actually backfire. It can increase friction between the two condoms and make both of them more likely to break.

• Age: Latex weakens as it ages. An expired condom — or one that feels dry, stiff, or sticky out of the wrapper — is more likely to fail.

• Rough opening: Tearing a wrapper with teeth or scissors can nick the condom before it's even on.

One more thing worth knowing: How your condom fits and whether you're using it correctly matters more than the brand. Having said that, latex condoms break less often than plastic ones.

How to prevent condoms from breaking

You can't make a condom foolproof, but a few habits go a long way toward keeping one from breaking:

• Store them somewhere cool and dry. Avoid storing condoms in a wallet, glovebox, or back pocket.

• Check the expiration date. Do this both before you buy and use them.

• Use plenty of lube (and the right kind). Water- or silicone-based lubrication reduces the friction that causes a break. With latex condoms, never use oil-based products like petroleum jelly, baby oil, or lotion, which degrade the material.

• Get the fit right. A condom should be snug but not too tight. If your condoms keep breaking or slipping, try a different size.

• Open the package carefully. Use your fingers, never use scissors or your teeth.

• Use one condom at a time. Two isn't safer than one. Using two condoms actually makes both more likely to break.

• Use a fresh condom every time. And switch to a new one if you’re having sex for a long time or you change activities.

• Learn to put it on and take it off correctly. Most breaks are due to user error, so make sure you know how to use a condom properly. 

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Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

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