Condoms

Hello Doctor,

Recently my condom broke during the course of intercourse. My partner assured me she gets checked regularly, but I am still a bit worried. The condom broke and I immediately withdrew (i'm pretty sure I was half way out anyway when it happened); so I couldn't have been inside unprotected for more than a second or two. In your other answers you list probabilities. What would be the probability of contracting an STD (herpes, warts, etc) with such a short exposure like this (i'm more worried about skin to skin)? I

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There are no scientific data to answer your question, and all I can provide is a guess.  The fact is that the risk of getting any STD from a single episode of unprotected sex is pretty low, although that of course depends on whether the partner has something to transmit. Most people who belive they are "clean" probably are.  In any case, such a brief period of exposre is very low risk, even if she had something.  I don't recommend you do anything or get tested, unless you develop symptoms of some sort in the next couple of weeks.

Good luck-- HHH, MD

[flyer9dm]

Raptor,

If you read through past posts, the Dr. has said that overall, your risk is extremely low. Extremely low...

As far as HIV, an STD councelor once told me (and the Dr. would probably confirm) that the risk of transmission in a 1 time male to female vaginal intercourse scenario is "slim to none". I would say that pretty much rules it out.

As far as everything else...

Why not work with most extreme case of a 1 time male to female vaginal intercourse scenario that includes coming inside..

Chl/Gon: The Doctor has said previously, the transmission rate is 20-30%

Ureaplasma/Micoplasma: Can not find anything specific. Dr?

Trichonomasis: Can not find anything specific. Dr?

Herpes: Probably pretty low unless there are visable lesions. Dr?

Syphilis: Probably pretty low unless there are visable lesions. Dr?

Genital Warts/HPV: I have read nearly 66% with a single exposure.

Hep B: No idea. Dr?

Anyway, sounds like your risk is very low.

IMPORTANT: I am NOT a Doctor so please take my posting for what is worth. Perhaps the Dr. could elaborate on this further though. It could help put others more at ease as well.

[swatelite]

Thanks for the information, both of you. Flye-r I agree with you, maybe Dr. HHH can elaborate on your questions. I do know (atleast from what I have researched) that there are no studies on this, however any information of the sort could help. I'm sure a lot of people have been worried about this very thing. There's not a lot of great stuff on the internet, that's why I posted here.

[who_is_this]

Thanks for popping in to the Womens forum from time to time.  I know it isn't your responsibility and just wanted to let you know that we appreciate it.  We understand that you can't answer every question but it's great when you jump in to correct some misconceptions from time to time.