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Broken Cracked Condom
I had a 5 minute sexual intercourse with a woman I picked from the street. It is the second time I see her, wearing a condom both times, first time all ok. I am required to check blood for work purposes so results were always negative.
2 nights ago I saw her gain, wore a condom for a brief oral sex, and a probably 5 minute sex in "doggy" position, that is it. I felt the condom in place all the time, I came, removed the condom by pulling the tip which was still in place, and when I pulled the tip I noticed the sperm was coming from somewhere. I then got some light and reviewed carefully to reallize the side of the condom which had a crack on the side.
The condom didn't split in 2 pieces, it was a crack on 1 side, it came one in one pice, I had to review carefully to realize but the issue with the crack has me very concerned. Some forums say I am ok, but I need expert opinion.
Thank you
2 nights ago I saw her gain, wore a condom for a brief oral sex, and a probably 5 minute sex in "doggy" position, that is it. I felt the condom in place all the time, I came, removed the condom by pulling the tip which was still in place, and when I pulled the tip I noticed the sperm was coming from somewhere. I then got some light and reviewed carefully to reallize the side of the condom which had a crack on the side.
The condom didn't split in 2 pieces, it was a crack on 1 side, it came one in one pice, I had to review carefully to realize but the issue with the crack has me very concerned. Some forums say I am ok, but I need expert opinion.
Thank you
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
On one hand, you can look at this as a high risk exposure; of all sex workers, HIV probably is most frequent in street sex workers. OTOH, it sounds like the condom did its job despite the split on the side, i.e. it seems the head of the penis and your urethral opening were covered, which is the important part. And even without a condom, the average chance of HIV transmission during any single vaginal sex exposure is somewhere around 1 in 2,000, and that's only if the woman is known to be infected.
So I really don't think you have anything to worry about. But you may consider having an HIV test anyway; you may find the negative results more reassuring than anything I can say. However, you need to wait at least 4 weeks for a reliable result.
While you're at it, standard STD testing (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) would be a good idea -- not necessarily because of this particular event, but because all non-monogamous persons should have STD/HIV testing routinely from time to time. The results probably will be negative, but better safe than sorry, right?
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
On one hand, you can look at this as a high risk exposure; of all sex workers, HIV probably is most frequent in street sex workers. OTOH, it sounds like the condom did its job despite the split on the side, i.e. it seems the head of the penis and your urethral opening were covered, which is the important part. And even without a condom, the average chance of HIV transmission during any single vaginal sex exposure is somewhere around 1 in 2,000, and that's only if the woman is known to be infected.
So I really don't think you have anything to worry about. But you may consider having an HIV test anyway; you may find the negative results more reassuring than anything I can say. However, you need to wait at least 4 weeks for a reliable result.
While you're at it, standard STD testing (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) would be a good idea -- not necessarily because of this particular event, but because all non-monogamous persons should have STD/HIV testing routinely from time to time. The results probably will be negative, but better safe than sorry, right?
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"...he said that the HIV 1/2 antigen and antibodies that they provide were high sensitivity, and at 4 weeks after the incident that kind of test would be conclusive for me."
Exactly right. Ignore any and all other opinions you have had. Your negative test at 4 weeks proves you did not catch HIV.
The other STD tests (syphilis, HSV) are highly reliable, but not conclusive. OTOH, your risk was low enough that you don't need any more tests for them. However, if you want absolutely conclusive results, you'll need another syphilis test at 6 weeks and an IgG HSV test at 4 months.
That will end this thread. Try to stop worrying and obsessing about this. You were not infected with HIV or any STD.
Exactly right. Ignore any and all other opinions you have had. Your negative test at 4 weeks proves you did not catch HIV.
The other STD tests (syphilis, HSV) are highly reliable, but not conclusive. OTOH, your risk was low enough that you don't need any more tests for them. However, if you want absolutely conclusive results, you'll need another syphilis test at 6 weeks and an IgG HSV test at 4 months.
That will end this thread. Try to stop worrying and obsessing about this. You were not infected with HIV or any STD.
Dear Doctor,
First of all, I want to say thank you. What you are doing here is helping so many people including myself. I would like now to request your professional follow in relation to my experience with the split condom :
- 3 weeks after the incident, I went to see a GP who was extremely outdated in his HIV knowledge (he said there was no way to know before 4 to 6 months). Anyways he ordered blood test for all STD and HIV 1/2 antibodies (antibodies quick test only) which came all negative.
-At 4 weeks exactly after the incident, I went to a more specialized Doctor, an Urologist from one of the best Hospitals in my country. He gave me the same opinion as you kindly did (which made me trust him), and he also said for my peace of mind I could take a second set of tests of high sensitivity which would be conclusive (they work with the most advanced Lab in my country):
HIV 1-2 duo Antigen and Antibody: Results came thanks God negative
FTA-ABS Results were : Non Reactive
Herpes Simplex 2, Antibodies IgG, results were non-reactive, and the antibodies IgM, results were also negative.
Now he said that the HIV 1/2 antigen and antibodies that they provide were high sensitivity, and at 4 weeks after the incident that kind of test would be conclusive for me. He said that if all results came negative I could move on with my life (I unfortunately developed a bad OCD in regards to the incident which I tried to control but it was emotionally painful).
I asked him if he would order a test for Chlamydia, but as I have no symptoms after 4 weeks and after inspecting my penis he said there was no need.
May I request your opinion about the info above? specially the HIV duo antigen/antibodies test being conclusive after 4 weeks? I have somebody that I love, and this incident was totally isolated (I was really drunk) as I am monogamous and really care about her health.
I have not had any symptoms like headaches, diarrea, non-itchy rush, or swollen lymph nodes (I had a bad cold but there were 2 people in my house with the same symptoms and normal pills fixed it, so I thought it was just a normal virus). I just had a horrible depression and your advise will help me a lot.
Thank you in advance.
All the best
First of all, I want to say thank you. What you are doing here is helping so many people including myself. I would like now to request your professional follow in relation to my experience with the split condom :
- 3 weeks after the incident, I went to see a GP who was extremely outdated in his HIV knowledge (he said there was no way to know before 4 to 6 months). Anyways he ordered blood test for all STD and HIV 1/2 antibodies (antibodies quick test only) which came all negative.
-At 4 weeks exactly after the incident, I went to a more specialized Doctor, an Urologist from one of the best Hospitals in my country. He gave me the same opinion as you kindly did (which made me trust him), and he also said for my peace of mind I could take a second set of tests of high sensitivity which would be conclusive (they work with the most advanced Lab in my country):
HIV 1-2 duo Antigen and Antibody: Results came thanks God negative
FTA-ABS Results were : Non Reactive
Herpes Simplex 2, Antibodies IgG, results were non-reactive, and the antibodies IgM, results were also negative.
Now he said that the HIV 1/2 antigen and antibodies that they provide were high sensitivity, and at 4 weeks after the incident that kind of test would be conclusive for me. He said that if all results came negative I could move on with my life (I unfortunately developed a bad OCD in regards to the incident which I tried to control but it was emotionally painful).
I asked him if he would order a test for Chlamydia, but as I have no symptoms after 4 weeks and after inspecting my penis he said there was no need.
May I request your opinion about the info above? specially the HIV duo antigen/antibodies test being conclusive after 4 weeks? I have somebody that I love, and this incident was totally isolated (I was really drunk) as I am monogamous and really care about her health.
I have not had any symptoms like headaches, diarrea, non-itchy rush, or swollen lymph nodes (I had a bad cold but there were 2 people in my house with the same symptoms and normal pills fixed it, so I thought it was just a normal virus). I just had a horrible depression and your advise will help me a lot.
Thank you in advance.
All the best
thank you Sir. I feel more positive about this incident. I will have the testing done anyways as you recommend.
I did something really stupid and I will wait for weeks to be in peace again.
Best.
I did something really stupid and I will wait for weeks to be in peace again.
Best.
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