What If The Condom Breaks or Slips Off?

Author Unknown

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Condoms can be effective in minimizing your chances of coming into contact with S.T.D.'s, including the H.I.V. virus. What happens if the condom breaks? There are some steps you can take to minimise the risk of S.T.D.'s being transmitted after breakage.

Neo Vaginal Sex

Although a neo-vagina may produce some lubrication during intercourse it may not be enough for comfortable sexual activity. If you have sex without extra lubrication (wet stuff; KY Jelly) small undetectable breaks or tears in the vaginal lining can occur. The virus can pass from your partner's body fluid through these breaks and tears. This could also happen if you have a vagina that isn't wide enough to comfortably accommodate your client's or partner's penis.

If you or your partner or client discovers that the condom has broken or slipped off, you should:

• Stop sexual activity immediately, and have your partner or client withdraw;
• While the timing is not critical, you should deal with the situation as soon as possible. There is time to allay any fear expressed by your partner or client, and explain that you need to use the bathroom for a few minutes;
• You should urinate to clear the urethra;
• Douching is recommended with a product such as aci-gel. Use about 1 third to a quarter of an applicator or use a mixture of warm water and vinegar (one part vinegar to 20 parts water). Do not use soap or soap solutions as these will cause irritation and discomfort, as well as having a detrimental effect on the walls of the vagina;
• Using an applicator, insert half to a full applicator of spermicide (there is a suggestion that this may weaken the H.I.V. virus). It is a matter of personal choice about the quantity - some people may find a full application too messy when they resume the booking. You may also choose to apply a small amount of spermicide to the vulva and urethral opening as well; and
• You may resume sexual activity straight away. In fact, resumed peno-vaginal intercourse will assist in spreading the spermicide throughout the vagina.

Trick Sex

If you shave or wax your body or pubic hair, be careful of cuts or scraping. Cover any cuts and abrasions before sex and never allow anyone's body fluids (blood, semen or vaginal fluids) on damaged skin. Be particularly careful if you shave your pubic hair, legs, chest or armpits and then engage in "trick sex" (having intercourse between closed thighs, under armpits or a hand cupped in the genital area).

If you are taping, strapping or tucking you could create a warm moist area leading to skin disorders, chaffing and dermatitis. Removing tape roughly could result in damaged or broken skin. Any of these increase the risk of the virus penetrating your skin during sex, particularly if you get someone else's body fluids onto that region, as might happen from unprotected "trick" sex.

If you have recently undergone any surgery that has involved any areas of your body that may be exposed to body fluids during sex, then be sure to cover the area until your skin has completely healed.

If you or your partner or client discovers that the condom has broken or slipped off, you should:

• Stop sexual activity immediately, and have your partner or client withdraw or move away;
• Gently wash the area with a mild antiseptic like chlorhexidine based preparations or a solution such as bedatine; and
• Cover areas of skin that may be broken or abraised.

Receptive peno-anal sex

If you or your partner or client discovers that the condom has broken or slipped off, you should:

• Stop sexual activity immediately, and have your partner or client withdraw;
• While timing is not critical, you should deal with the situation as soon as possible. There is time to allay any fear expressed by your partner or client, and explain that you need to use the bathroom for a few minutes;
• Douching is not advised as it can cause tears in the sensitive membranous walls of the anus, possibly enabling the transmission of S.T.D.'s including H.I.V.;
• Spermicide can be used as a one off, but it's quite possible it will cause some irritation. Apply at least a full applicator measure internally. Rub some spermicide around the outside of the anus as well; and
• If you have used a spermicide, you may choose to not engage in any receptive anal services for the rest of the shift, as there could be some discomfort and irritation. Again it is up to the discretion of the worker.

If semen is present:

• Douching is not advised;
• Sit on the toilet, bear down and remove as much semen as possible;
• Insert at least one full applicator of spermicide; and
• Gently wash outside the anus with a Chlorhexidine based preparation, or a solution such as betadine.

Insertive peno-anal sex

• Wash the genital area thoroughly, particularly under the foreskin;
• Urinate; and
• Place a small amount of spermicide in the eye of the penis (Note: If you are continuing sexual activity with your partner or client, you may choose to put a small amount of spermicide in the teat of the condom instead of directly on to the eye of the penis).

Oral Sex (with and without semen present)

• Spit out any semen;
• Rinse mouth out with a Chlorhexidine based mouthwash, a diluted tea tree oil mixture or Betadine;
• Do not brush, floss the teeth, or eat for at least one hour; and
• If you have been insertive, you may choose to urinate immediately, wash your penis thoroughly, particularly under the foreskin, and rub a small amount of spermicide into the eye of your penis.

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