The condom broke,now what?

Should a condom break or slip off, this puts you and your partner at risk for contracting sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) including HIV. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

It’s very important that if you have engaged in a risky situation, such as unprotected sex or a condom breaking during sex, you should go the clinic as soon as possible and to speak to your healthcare practitioner to start receiving Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) Treatment.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a means of reducing your chances of becoming HIV positive. It consists of month-long treatment HIV drugs called Anti-Retrovirals (ARVs) that must be taken every day at the same to time to ensure effectiveness.

These ARVs can stop the virus from multiplying in your bloodstream, and thus prevent HIV infection.

Importantly, you will need to speak to your doctor as soon as possible after the risky situation because PEP should be started within 72 hours in order to work.

PEP can only be given to HIV negative people, so you will need to be screened for HIV before the doctor can give it to you.

PEP is not easy, it is a month of strong medication with potential side effects, and should never be considered an excuse for unsafe sex.

If you’re a women and at risk of unwanted pregnancy due to the condom breaking, the morning after pill, also known as emergency contraception, can be taken within 72 hours. However, it’s important to note that this should never be used as a substitute to using contraception such as condoms and the pill. Also the morning after pill does not protect you against contract STIs and HIV.