Broken Condom

So I was with a provider recently. I was trying to be as careful (read "paranoid") as I could like I usually do. I don't even allow BBJs anymore out of fear for STDs so we just skipped the BJ altogther and went right for CFS. This goes one for about 10-15 minutes and we have a great time. I finish and head to the bathroom to clean up.

Now for some reason I did something I never did before. I took the used condom and gently blew into it. It didn't inflate like I expected it would. I filled it with water and I realized there was a tiny tear, maybe 1/4" long about 3 1/2" from the base. Since the condom was 8 1/2" when laid flat, that's about 5" from the tip. Strange place to have a tear, so of course I freaked out, washed myself with soap and warm water and then cleaned my genitals off with a bottle of hydrogen peroxide.

I've never had a broken condom before but, well, I guess I've never really check that closely before. I always assumed that condom failures were spectacular things that occurred with a loud *pop* followed by the sound of a penis tearing through latex something akin to the kool aid man bursting through dry wall.

From my careful math and measurements against another condom and my erect penis, the tear, at it's highest probably reached the base of the tip of the head (the round part) and at its lowest was way down rolled up at the very base. So that, tear, perhaps it came from a fingernail or something allowed a possible opening to exposure to her vaginal fluids to my skin, likely somewhere along my shaft.

I really don't know what to make of it. On one hand it's a very low risk exposure through a tiny hole that occurred for minutes at most from an upscale provider who probably is cleaner that your average bar girl out there. On the other hand the fear of AIDS is a really scary thing and part of me wants to run to my doctor for post exposure prophylaxis.

I'm not sure really how I should react. Am I at risk. What would you do?

Well, goseph,

You've already reacted with fear and a sour-face icon, so that part is over with. There are  "probabilities" and "careful math and measurements" in your posting; however, if you really want to know what went down, you'll need to get yourself checked out.

Go to a clinic or a GP/urologist and take a bunch of tests. Certainly, it will give you hard data instead of conjecture. Don't forget to take a test for herpes exposure - might as well know everything while you're at it, right?

The HIV virus (NOT AIDS) won't show up until 6-12 weeks after infection. You can take an oral test for it.

Are you at risk? Unless you are in a guaranteed monogamous relationship, yes, you are at risk for contracting STDs. To claim a percentage or some hard data at this point would be foolish, as no one on this board (or you, it seems) are aware of the provider's sexual history.

"Upscale" doesn't mean anything to a virus,
The Love Goddess


-- Modified on 9/21/2010 9:15:38 AM

Unless one is meticulous, it is quite easy to come into contact with vaginal fluid during sexual endeavors.
For example, the bare skin of the hand contacts VF during many types of manual/digital foreplay.
Same for the lips, facial area during DATY [unless a dental dam is used].
Unless there are breaks in the skin, I don't believe microorganisms are smart enough to know whether they are in contact with the skin of the penis, or the skin of another body part.
My gut feeling is that portal of entry is critical.
If the skin is intact, and there is no contact with the urethra [mucus membrane], the risk is likely low.
Please note: I am not an epidemiologist; the above simply makes sense to me.
I also would echo LG's advice.

...I would suggest not blowing your condom after sex.

Thanks so much for the advice.

I've talked to a doctor and yes, while there always is a risk for HIV unless you are sure your partner has been tested and has not been with anyone else in at least 3-6 months, he says this particular exposure is nothing to worry about and doesn't even warrant running out and getting tested 2-3 months from now (although I will). He does recommend everyone who is sexually active and not in a monogamous relationship get tested at least once a year, though.

First, he says HIV is hard to transmit through even unprotected vaginal intercourse. Being a circumcised male with no other STDs drops the risk a little more.

The skin is a very good barrier against HIV and yes, you usually do come in contact with vaginal fluid even when wearing a condom. HIV can be transmitted through cuts on the penis from sexual intercourse or through the urethra but the condom mostly protects against that. And since the head of the penis was covered he is said there is virtually no risk of transmission of most STDs including HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. There is a small risk of herpes but there is always is a risk of herpes with a condom since it is spread through skin-to-skin contact and even a condom won't protect against that. The small tear in the condom probably only elevated the risk for herpes very slightly due to the extra skin being exposed.

Finally, while there could always be more data, it is believed that percentage of HIV+ sex workers in the US is relatively low. While they have more sexual partners, they get tested much more and most always wear condoms. When I say "upscale", I speak of the simple fact that a drug-free provider whose sexual health is important to her business is more likely to be STD free than an IV drug user looking for some quick cash for her next hit.

Finally, I would imagine that this kind of a tear in a condom must occur rather frequently and go unnoticed. They were new brand new condoms and had I not filled the condom with water I would never have noticed it and even then it was incredibly hard to pinpoint once the water was let out. I doubt most inspect their used condoms that carefully.

So in the meantime, I will try not to worry about it get myself tested when its been long enough. I appreciate all your comments and am interested in hearing what anyone else might have to ad, particularly regarding broken condoms or STD scares.

I had a provider use baby oil as lubricant during greek. I had heard that baby oil can affect a condom and I was right. When I was done, I want to pull off the condom and realized that the whole top was missing. Needless to say she was not happy either. Had me worried and getting tested for quite a while.