Condom too tight — worried about breaksOriginally Published: October 2, 1998 - Last Updated / Reviewed On: July 6, 2012 |
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Recently, during intercourse, my condom broke. Now, of course, I am very worried about it happening again. I am constantly checking the condom during sex and find that the condom is extremely tight against the tip of my penis whenever I check. I am afraid it will get tight again and break. I'm not sure what to do or where to go. Is the condom supposed to be very tight at the tip or not? Any help would be great.
Thanks,
M
Dear M,
When worn properly, a condom should have about half an inch of space between the tip of your penis and the top of the condom. This space creates a reservoir for the semen after ejaculation. To create this half inch space, place the rolled up condom over the tip of your penis when it is hard. Then, while pinching the condom at the tip, roll the rest of it down your penis with the other hand. Or, you can always include your partner — one can hold the tip while the other rolls.
Pinching the condom also forces any air out of the tip. Once the condom is on, you can take extra precaution by smoothing out any air bubbles — another common culprit in condom breaks. You can also add a dab of silicon- or water-based lube to reduce any friction that can affect the condom's strength. Test driving different condom brands may help you find one or two that fit comfortably and feel reliable.
In the event of a condom breakage, it is always good to know your options. If your partner was not on hormonal birth control, she can take emergency contraception, also known as Plan B. This will help protect her against pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Plan B is available in pharmacies and clinics, and both men and women ages 17 and up can purchase it without a prescription.
Knowing that the condom is on correctly, you'll probably worry less about it breaking, leaving more time to enjoy the pleasure of intercourse. For more information on condom safety, you can check out How to use a condom correctly — avoid breakage or slippage.
Keep it sexy — keep it safe!
