Mistake and Condom micro-tears

[Sakara1122]

Hi, I had PIV sex recently using water based lubricant as well as I held the base when I withdrew before ejaculation. However during the middle of this session I made the mistake of pulling on the condom at the tip to make sure the tip had enough room, but the base did not move. I know that this is improper use and it has caused me anxiety since.

After this incident I continued sex but I pulled out before ejaculation, and when I did ejaculate after I withdrew, the semen stayed in the condom tip and there were no leaks in the condom visibly. I am worried that this pulling on the condom at the tip my have caused an invisible micro-tear in the condom that allowed some precum to leak through. Is this a situation that I need to be worried about pregnancy in? Is it likely that the condom developed a micro-tear due to my actions?

Thank you for your time and reply!

[char]

Hi Sakara1122, welcome to the boards

It's totally understandable that you're worried about potentially tearing your condom. That said, unless you pulled at the tip with a lot of strength (or that your condom wasn't in the best condition to begin with, like having been stored in a car drawer), chances of your condom having a micro tear is veeeeery small -- nonexistent even. Also, since you pulled out before ejaculating, the chance of pregnancy should be quite small. Not to mention that it looks like you've been using your condom throughout the PIV sex, so the condom should be doing its job. Your sex partner's likelihood of being pregnant is affected by things like their menstrual cycle and use of contraceptions (like the combination pill or IUD) too. If you are able to discuss that with your partner (just to be sure, even though there's not a lot of chance of pregnancy here), and share your worries as well, perhaps it can lighten your load. Does that make sense?

[char]

This person in our advice column has a different concern, but you may find our advice to them helpful: I'm worried that something might have gone wrong!

[Sakara1122]

That does make sense, I appreciate you for your quick reply and for highlighting that other post, I will give it a read! Also when I pulled on the condom it was with a little bit of strength, enough that it made it stretch a little bit before it went back to its original location. However, it wasn't hard enough to make the whole condom shift as I was afraid of tearing the condom completely so I believe I should be okay since it wasn't a lot of strength as you emphasized. I will also discuss my worries with my partner as well! You have helped me calm my worries and I will be safer about using condoms in the future! Thank you for your time again!

[Latha]

I'm glad Char's response was reassuring! Feel free to ask if you have any more questions. 🩷