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The condom broke.

What you can do if you are worried that you or your partner could get an STI or become pregnant:

See a health care provider
If you have had penetrative or oral sex with someone who has an STI, see your health care provider as soon as possible. If your partner has tested positive for an STI, it is important that you also have STI testing.  Depending on the type of STI, you will be offered testing and may be given medications to prevent the STI whether or not you have symptoms.

Get tested for STIs
Get tested for STIs if you had sex and the condom broke. Getting tested will help you know for sure if you have an STI, even if there are no symptoms. Find out where you can get tested.

Prevent pregnancy
Taking the emergency contraceptive pill (Plan B) as soon as possible and within five days of having unprotected will reduce the chance of becoming pregnant. Copper IUDs are also a good option for emergency contraception and can be inserted up to seven days after uprotected intercourse. Find out where you can go for emergency IUD insertion in BC.

HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
If you know or think there is a significant chance that your partner has HIV, there is medication that you can start within 72 hours to reduce your chances of getting HIV.

Other things you can do to stop condoms breaking:

  • Check the expiry on the package; expired condoms are more likely to break.
  • Keep your condoms in a cool, dry place.
  • Check to make sure the tip is pinched when the condom is rolled onto the penis.
  • Sharp nails or jewelry can tear condoms.
  • Use water based or silicone lubes because petroleum and oil based lubes weaken latex condoms. Find out more about lubricants.
  • Different types of Protection