Contraceptive Failure: Risks of Pregnancy After Condom Break

Condom breakage?

Hello, doctor! On the morning of May 16, I had sexual intercourse with my boyfriend.
We used a condom, but after a few thrusts, my boyfriend noticed something was wrong and pulled out, only to find that the condom had broken.
The break was on the side, but my boyfriend said the tip had come out through the hole; however, he had not ejaculated.
I did not take any contraceptive pills before or after.
My last menstrual period was on April 21, but I did not have my period in March, and my cycles have been irregular, so I'm unsure about the accuracy of calculating safe and dangerous periods.
I would like to ask the doctor, what is the likelihood of pregnancy in this situation? Is it possible to become pregnant? Additionally, I usually experience breast tenderness about a week before my period, and I also had slight breast tenderness on May 16.
I wonder if this information can help the doctor make a better assessment.
Thank you!

Xiao Xi, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2020/05/18

Dr. Wu Xianghui reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

For pregnancy concerns, please perform a home pregnancy test or consult a gynecologist for evaluation four weeks after sexual intercourse.

Reply Date: 2020/05/18

More Info

When it comes to the risk of pregnancy after a condom break, several factors need to be considered to assess the likelihood of conception. In your case, you had intercourse on May 16, and the condom broke shortly after penetration. Fortunately, your boyfriend did not ejaculate, which significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy, as sperm is typically released during ejaculation. However, it is important to note that pre-ejaculate fluid (pre-cum) can contain sperm, although the quantity is usually much lower than in ejaculate.

Given that your last menstrual period started on April 21 and you mentioned having irregular cycles, it complicates the calculation of your fertile window. Generally, ovulation occurs about 14 days before the start of your next period, but with irregular cycles, pinpointing ovulation can be challenging. If your cycle is typically longer or shorter than the average 28 days, this could affect your fertile window.

The fact that you experienced breast tenderness around the time of intercourse could be related to hormonal fluctuations associated with your menstrual cycle. Breast tenderness is common in the luteal phase of the cycle, which occurs after ovulation and before the start of menstruation. However, it is not a definitive sign of pregnancy.

In terms of the likelihood of pregnancy, while the risk is not zero, it is relatively low since there was no ejaculation. If you are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, you might consider taking an emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) within 72 hours of the incident. ECPs are most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.
If you miss your next period or experience any early signs of pregnancy, such as nausea, fatigue, or increased breast tenderness, it would be advisable to take a home pregnancy test or consult with a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
In summary, while there is a possibility of pregnancy due to the condom break, the risk is significantly reduced by the absence of ejaculation. Monitoring your menstrual cycle and being aware of any changes in your body will help you make informed decisions moving forward. If you have further concerns or experience any unusual symptoms, do not hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Similar Q&A

Contraceptive Failure: Understanding Pregnancy Risks After Condom Breakage

Hello Doctor: I would like to ask, my last menstrual period started on November 6 and lasted for 7 days. I had intercourse on November 21, but the condom broke and there was ejaculation inside. I immediately took a shower and took emergency contraception within 8 hours. On Novemb...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, based on your description, there is a possibility of pregnancy. The failure rate of condoms, even with correct usage, is approximately 5%. As long as there are active sperm present in the vagina during the ovulation period, there remains a chance of pregnancy, regardless o...

Understanding Pregnancy Risks After Condom Failure During Intercourse

The menstrual period was from June 28 to July 3. There was sexual intercourse on July 11 with a condom, but during one instance, the condom broke. The act was immediately stopped, and there was no ejaculation inside. That evening, a piece of the broken condom was found in the vag...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, it should not be a big issue; just observe it. Wishing you good health.

Understanding Pregnancy Risks After Condom Failure: What You Need to Know

On February 3rd, the condom broke during ejaculation, and a dose of emergency contraception (Plan B) was taken the same day. Ovulation was estimated to occur five days later. On February 6th, the condom broke again, but it was immediately withdrawn and replaced with a new one. Ov...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, it is recommended to supplement with safer options. Wishing you good health.

Contraceptive Failure: What Are the Chances of Pregnancy After a Broken Condom?

Today, during sexual intercourse with my boyfriend, I discovered that the condom broke when he pulled out. However, I had already told him to withdraw before ejaculation. It was only during withdrawal that we realized the condom was broken. I took a dose of emergency contraceptio...

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Today, during sexual intercourse with my boyfriend, I discovered that the condom broke when he pulled out. However, I had already told him to withdraw before ejaculation. It was only during withdrawal that we realized the condom was broken. I took a dose of emergency contraceptio...