Condoms Breaking

Condoms Breaking
Medically Reviewed by Dr Anique Ali
Does your condom keep breaking during sex? Perhaps it bursts or tears and you can’t figure out why? There are a number of reasons why this might be happening to you. Consider all of the questions below and see if one of these situations applies.
This is one of the most common reasons why a condom can malfunction. Every penis is different and not every condom is going to fit well. Consider trying different condom brands and sizes until you find one that provides the best fit.
Remember, you want the fit to be snug, but not too tight. Also, it’s important that you roll the condom all the way down to the base of your penis, to make sure you have proper coverage and so the condom doesn’t come off during penetration.
Disclaimer : condom-sizes.org is supported by its readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Check out this quick guide on how to find your perfect fit or try this condom calculator .
Condoms works best when you use lubricant with them. Proper lubrication will make penetration and thrusting much easier and pleasurable for both partners. In addition, using a good amount of lubricant will help to lessen the chance of breakage, since the moisture can make the condom more flexible and less likely to tear or burst. Remember, more lubricant, equals less friction that can cause breakage. Just make sure that you don’t use oil-based lubes with latex condoms .
A condom should always have some space left at the tip for when you ejaculate. The semen should have some place to go. If you don’t leave enough room to collect the semen, it could possibly break the condom. Always leave some room at the tip of the condom for the semen, or pinch the tip to make some room.
Condoms have expiration dates. This is because they can dry out, especially if exposed to heat or sunlight. If your condom is too dry, this will increase the chance the condom will break when being used.
Always make sure your condoms are fresh and avoid storing them where there is excessive heat. If you’re carrying a condom in your pocket be sure to use a condom case .
Don’t judge a condom by its wrapper. There are some novelty condoms which might look fun on the outside but are not safe to be used against STDs and pregnancy.
Novelty condoms usually don’t go through the same strict safety and quality standard as regular condoms. Make sure you’re using a reliable condom that passed all quality standards and is approved for use against pregnancy and STDs.
This is a less common cause of condom breakage, but it can happen. Some more adventurous sexual positions can cause the condom to dislodge and break.
If you’re using sex toys or any other type of device, especially ones made of metal, then any sharp edge might perforate the condom and cause it to tear or burst during use. Be extra careful when using any toys or other sexual devices when you are wearing a condom.
Peter started condom-sizes.org in 2011 after realizing what a difference using a proper condom size really makes! In 2012 he published the e-book called 'How to Find Your Perfect Condom' which is still available on Amazon

You're probably using oil-based lubricants that don't go with latex.
You stored them in the wrong place.
What can you do if a condom breaks during sex?
How can you keep this from happening?
Here’s How To Talk To Your Partner If You’re Not Having Sex, But Want To Be
Here's The Best Time To Ask Your Date About Their Views On Abortion
20 Dirty Texts To Send Your Partner In The Morning
© 2022 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
No feeling is quite as stomach-dropping as realizing there's a hole in the condom you and bae just used during sex. Cue the freakout, and the questions about how it even happened to begin with. Turns out, there are several reasons condoms are likely to break during sex. According to sexologist Dr. Nikki Goldstein , condoms can break if they're expired, if they've been kept in the heat, if there's too much friction and not enough lubricant during sex, and if you're using the wrong size rubber — and that's just a few of the reasons. But luckily, a condom breaking doesn't happen as often as you may think.
"Majority of studies have shown that condom breakage or falling off are fairly rare, however, there is a wide variety of data ranging from 0-22 percent of the time," obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Sheila Loanzon tells Elite Daily. "Condoms break approximately 2 percent of the time with vaginal intercourse, [and there's a] slightly higher risk of breakage and slippage during anal intercourse. If your partner reports that the condom seems to break more frequently, it may be imperative to review technique to make sure the condom is being properly applied."
If you happen to find yourself falling into one of the 0-22 percent of people who experience a condom breaking during sex, fret not. There are ways to prevent pregnancy and STDs, which may be two of your biggest concerns post-breakage. But before we get to that, here are six reasons why the condom broke in the first place, so you know what to do to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Fun fact: Like almost everything else in this world, condoms do have an expiration date , people! And if your condom breaks, one of the reasons why may very well be because it's past its expiration date. "Most expirations dates are printed on the box and then on the individual condom wraps," Dr. Lakeisha Richardson , OBGYN, tells Elite Daily. "An expired condom is one of the most common reasons why a condom will break."
And while condoms may seem like one size fits all, another reason a condom might break is because it simply doesn't fit. "Using a condom that is too small puts tension on the latex and increases the risk of a tear or break, that's why it always important to use the correct size condom," Dr. Richardson says.
Some lubricants are meant to be used with condoms , while others are meant for when you no longer use the rubbers . And if you use the wrong lube when you are using condoms, the condom can tear. "Using products such as oils, lubricants, or lotions that are not compatible with latex can weaken the latex and cause the condom to break," Dr. Richardson explains. If you'd rather not have a broken condom, "do not use vaseline, baby oil, coconut or other body lotions that contain oil as lubricant," Dr. Jess O’Reilly , Ph.D., host of the @SexWithDrJess podcast, tells Elite Daily.
Sure, keeping a condom or two in your wallet seems like a good idea, but what about when you're outside in 90-degree weather all the time? Well, that may cause your trusty little friend to fail you. "Condoms should be storied in a cool, dry place," Dr. Jess says. "If you keep them in your wallet or in your car, the heat [may] compromise the integrity of the latex material and increase the likelihood of breakage."
If you're worried about a condom potentially breaking, you may think, "Hey, maybe we should wear two to make sure nothing gets out." Well, that'll probably do more harm than good. "The friction from two condoms can cause breakage," Dr. Jess explains. "This rule also applies to combining an external condom (the kind that fits over the penis) with an internal condom (often referred to as a female condom ), which is worn inside the vagina or anus."
Picture this: You and your sexual partner are about to have sex. You're kissing all up on each other, clothes are flying off, the heat of the moment is building up, and when you're about to do the deed, you remember you have to put on a condom. While you're in a rush to get things going before the ~mood~ goes away, you may not apply the condom properly or you might break it with your nails or teeth and not even notice.
It's important to take it slow, and ensure that you're putting on the condom the right way before you actually start having sex. "If you don’t take the time to properly apply a condom, it can increase the risk of slippage of breakage," Dr. Jess says. "Open the condom wrapper carefully and be sure not to tear it with your teeth or finger nails. Keep extra condoms on hand in case of breakage while opening. Leave a little space at the top of the condom and roll it gently down all the way to the bottom." Take your time. Better safe than sorry!
Well, the first thing you'll probably do is freak out a little , especially if you're not on some other form of birth control. This is normal. Once you've gotten past that, on to step two: Preventing pregnancy . "If the condom breaks, there are several emergency contraception options ," Dr. Loanzon says. "The most effective emergency contraceptive is the copper IUD which has a failure rate of less than 1 percent. An added benefit is that the copper IUD (Paragard) is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC), and thus has an efficacy of preventing pregnancy 99 percent of the time and can be used as a continuous contraceptive for 10 years after placement."
There's also, of course, the morning-after pill. The most well-known brand is Plan B, because you can get it over the counter. According to its site, the sooner you take Plan B after unprotected sex or birth control malfunction (read: a broken condom), the better it works. But you do have a max of 72 hours to take the pill. Dr. Loanzon also mentions Ulipristal, which is the same concept as Plan B, but it requires a prescription from a health care provider and can be used up to 120 hours after unprotected sex or birth control malfunction. "It is important that these medications be used as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse to decrease the risk of pregnancy," Dr. Loanzon says.
The next thing you should do after a condom breaks is get tested for STDs . "You should see a physician as soon as possible for immediate testing and then follow up testing in 4-12 weeks," Dr. Richardson suggests. "You may also request prophylactic treatment if your sexual partner has a history of STIs."
Dr. Loanzon also recommends gently washing the genitalia (i.e. penis, vulva, anus, and adjacent skin) with mild soap and water, as it "may reduce the risk of fluid exposure, however, this method has not been well studied. I do not recommend women to douche as that may increase risk of other vaginal infections." And for good measure, "Some providers also recommend applying spermicide vaginally as soon as possible to decrease the risk of pregnancy," she adds.
It's safe to say that once you've experienced a condom breaking, you'd want to do everything you possibly can to make sure it doesn't happen again — and with good reason. It's a scary feeling! Dr. Goldstein recommends keeping your condoms in a cool, dry place, and always checking the expiration date.
"Make sure you always have your favourite condoms on you, and if you are only with one partner, ensure to have the right size, or with multiple partners have a selection of sizes. Use a water-based or silicone lubricant, and add the right amount using a few drops on the inside of the condoms, at the tip, and also on the outside. Make sure you be careful when opening the wrapper and roll the condom all the way down to the base."
A condom breaking can happen to anyone, so don't freak out. Think logically, take the steps necessary to prevent an unwanted pregnancy or the spread of STDs, and do what you need to do to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Be the first to know what's trending, straight from Elite Daily

The Blog
/
You Asked It: Why Do My Condoms Break?

Condom mishaps can happen to anyone, but they’re pretty rare if you use condoms the right way.

Related Topics

STIs

Birth Control

Emergency Contraception

Sex and Sexuality

HIV and AIDS

Our Services

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Primary Health Care

Mental Health

First, it’s great that you’re taking control of your sexual health and using condoms! As you probably already know, they’re the only kind of birth control that also prevents the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs, sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases or STDs). Condom mishaps can happen to anyone, but they’re pretty rare if you use condoms the right way, every time you have sex.
Here are the most common reasons that condoms might break during sex, and how you can fix them.
These can wear the condom down over time. This means you shouldn’t store your condoms in the glove compartment of a car (where it can get super hot), in your wallet (where there’s a lot of friction), or anywhere with direct sunlight. Instead, keep them in a bedside or closet drawer, where it’s cool and dark.
Check the expiration date on your condoms. If they’re expired, toss them.
If you use oil-based lube (like Vaseline, coconut oil, baby oil or body lotion), STOP. Oil weakens latex and can make the condom break. Instead, use a little water- or silicone-based lube in the tip of the condom, and around and just inside the opening of the vagina or anus. We talk more about different kinds of lube and how to use it here.
As you roll the condom on, pinch the tip with two of your fingers. This makes sure there’s plenty of room for ejaculate (or come/cum). If you don’t pinch the tip, the condom can break when you have an orgasm. We go into more detail about how to put on a condom here .
NEVER use two condoms at once. This makes it much more likely that they will tear.
Don’t use your teeth or scissors. This can accidentally tear the condom. Open the condom with your fingers instead.
If your condom doesn’t roll all the way down the shaft of the penis or feels tight or uncomfortable, it might be too small. Try a few different condoms to find one that works for you. This doesn’t mean that you need to go straight for the Magnums, though! “Regular”-sized condoms fit most people. If you use condoms that are too big, they’re more likely to slip off , so you’ll just be creating a different problem for yourself!
If not, keep in mind that external (sometimes called “male”) condoms aren’t the only kind of condoms. You could try using internal (sometimes called “female”) condoms instead. These are condoms that are inserted inside the vagina or anus instead of going over the penis or sex toy. We talk more about how to use internal condoms here.
If you’re having penis-in-vagina (PIV) sex and your partner isn’t using another method of birth control, they can use emergency contraception up to 5 days after sex to help prevent pregnancy . Broken condoms also put you both at risk for STIs, so you should both be tested . If either of you is at risk for HIV, you can take PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) up to 72 hours after sex to greatly reduce the chances of spreading the virus.
If you’re 10-22 years old in NYC, you can get free, confidential health care including STI testing and treatment, birth control, emergency contraception, sexual health education and free condoms at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center. No judgment, no charge.
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. At the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center , we answer a lot of questions. Topics range from nutrition to pregnancy prevention, and everything in between. Now, we’re bringing these questions back to you with our weekly advice column, You Asked It. Got a question? Send us a message on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram , or email us at teenhealthcareorg@gmail.com with “You Asked It” in the subject line.
This column is not intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual, only general information for education purposes only.
Missed a “You Asked It” post? Click on “You Asked it” under Topics.
Will I bleed the first time I have sex? You asked it, we answered!
I've been drinking a lot of energy drinks. Is that okay for my health?
Do you have to shave your pubic hair before you go for a gynecological exam? You asked it, we answered!

Planned Parenthood has a partner website about sexual health topics specifically for Nigeria. Would you like to go to the Nigeria website?

Blog

Abortion

Ask the Experts

Birth Control

Cancer

COVID-19

Emergency Contraception

Health and Wellness

Pregnancy

Sex, Pleasure, and Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual Orientation

Gender Identity

Relationships

Consent and Sexual Assault

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs)

Glossary A - Z

For Teens

For Parents

For Educators

Get Care

Schedule an Appointment

Get Care Online

Planned Parenthood App

Find an Abortion Clinic

Our Services

Health Insurance

Spot On

Get Involved

Donate

Ways to Give

Jobs and Volunteering

Take Action

Contact Donor Services

Shop

Overview

Blog

Abortion

Ask the Experts

Birth Control

Cancer

COVID-19

Emergency Contraception

Health and Wellness

Pregnancy

Sex, Pleasure, and Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual Orientation

Gender Identity

Relationships

Consent and Sexual Assault

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs)

Glossary A - Z

For Teens

For Parents

For Educators

Get Care

Overview

Schedule an Appointment

Get Care Online

Planned Parenthoo
Piss Fetish
She Male Dom
Romantic Passionate Sex

Condoms Breaking

Report Page