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?

How to know if a condom broke

Let’s be honest: It can sometimes be hard to tell when a condom breaks, especially if it happens during sex. If you’re the person wearing the condom, you might be more likely to feel it break.

Here are some things you might see if it breaks:

• A hole or tear in the condom

• Semen (cum) leaking out of the condom

• Parts of the condom missing 

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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. 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 therefore 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 are not 100% effective at preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) even when used properly.

Broken condom: What to do next

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.

After that, how much you should worry depends on whether you’re concerned about pregnancy and how likely it is that you or your partner have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other STDs.

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

If you’re worried about getting pregnant, you have three emergency contraception options. 

Levonorgestrel pill

A levonorgestrel pill, also known as a morning-after pill, can keep you from getting pregnant after a condom breaks. The most well-known brand is called Plan B, but there are many different brands.

This pill is available without a prescription, which means you can walk into a drugstore or supermarket and buy it without having to see a provider first. This is true even if you’re under age 18 and/or do not have an ID card.

Keep in mind: This pill needs to be taken within 3 days after unprotected sex. And it works best if you take it as soon as possible. It might not work as well if you are considered overweight or obese (meaning your BMI is over 25). 

Ella pill

Ella (ulipristal) is another morning-after pill. It is more effective than levonorgestrel, and you can take it up to 5 days after having unprotected sex.

You can only get Ella with a prescription. This means you will need to see a healthcare provider before you can take it. Ella might not work as well in people who have been told they are obese (BMI over 30).  

Copper IUD

A copper IUD (intrauterine device) is a small device that is placed in your uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy — as long as it’s put in place within the first 5 days after you have unprotected sex. You will have to see a doctor to have an IUD inserted.

More on emergency contraception

Not sure which emergency contraception option is right for you? Planned Parenthood has a quick online quiz that can help you decide.

It’s also important to know that emergency contraceptives can prevent pregnancy, but they do not protect you against STDs or STIs.

And, finally, emergency contraception is not the same as abortion. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy before it happens. Abortion stops a pregnancy that is already in progress. 

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

According to Planned Parenthood, a safe bet is to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after having unprotected sex or as soon as you realize that your regular period is late. 

What to do if you’re worried about HIV

If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, you can take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is an emergency medication that you take after sex to protect you 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 provider or go to urgent care before you can take this medication. 

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

Most STDs 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 STD without having any symptoms. So testing is the only way to be sure you don’t have one.

Condoms, even unbroken ones, don't do a good job at protecting you from STDs 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 can you protect yourself from broken condoms in the future?

Condoms are great at preventing pregnancy and many STDs. 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:

• Double up on birth control. If you do not 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). It 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. 

Is it OK to wear two condoms?

No, you should not use two condoms at the same time. That includes not using an internal condom and an external condom at the same time. Using more than one condom can actually increase friction and make condoms more likely to break. 

Why do condoms break?

Condoms usually break because they’re not used correctly, rather than because of a problem with the condom itself. How your condom fits — and whether or not you’re using it correctly — matters more than the brand. 

If you use condoms, here are some tips that can make them less likely to break:

• Don’t carry condoms in your wallet or pocket.

• Don’t store condoms in your car.

• Don’t open the condom package with scissors or your teeth.

• Don’t use oil-based lotions or lubricants. 

• Don’t use expired condoms.  

• Make sure to use a condom that fits correctly.

• Learn how to put on and take off a condom correctly.

• If you have sex for longer than 30 minutes, change to a new condom.

• Use a new condom every time you have sex.

One more tip: Latex condoms break less often than plastic condoms. 

Why trust our experts?

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:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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