Identifying Condom Breakage: What to Look For & What to Do

Condoms are tested rigorously before they make their way onto store shelves. Yet occasionally they do break. In the heat of the moment, you may not notice if your condom has torn or burst. In some cases, you might feel a "pop," which will tip you off that you may have a problem. Expired condoms and condoms that are used with oil-based lubricants are more likely to tear. To know for sure whether your condom failed on you, you'll have to inspect it closely.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine whether you felt an unusual sensation while engaging in sexual activity. If so, your condom may have ripped or burst.

• 2

  Stop having sex immediately, if you suspect that your condom broke.

• 3

  Remove your penis from your partner gently, holding onto the base of the condom as you do so that it does not slip off inside of your partner.

• 4

  Take the condom off of your penis. Hold it vertically, near a light source, to determine whether semen is leaking from it. You will see small beads of white fluid on the condom's exterior, if it has a leak.

• 5

  Handle the condom between your fingers, if you did not ejaculate. Gently pull the rubber taut and inspect it for tears or holes. Tears will appear as thin lines across the condom's surface and larger-sized holes will be clearly evident.

• 6

  Fill the condom with water and inspect it for leaks. Small holes may not be easily visible, but you'll be able to see water seeping out of a hole.