Hi, and welcome to Telefem! It’s so nice to meet you! If this is your first time here, we want to tell you that you’re in a safe space, full of trust. We are here to answer all your questions and provide you with trustworthy information regarding safe abortion in Mexico. Let me introduce you to one of our articles, and if you still have questions, feel free to contact us through WhatsApp!
In this blog, we’ll give you some recommendations if the condom breaks and how to avoid a pregnancy if you are not ready for it. Let’s begin with what to do with a torn condom.1
Why could the condom break?
First, let’s point out the difference between an external and an internal condom. The external condom is the most common, also known as “male condom”, which is placed on the penis. Inner condoms, also known as “female condoms” are used inside the vagina. We will focus on external condoms due to their accessibility. By the way, did you know that condoms have less than 2%1 of failure risk?
Nevertheless, a condom may break because of misuse, but other reasons may also be:2
1.- Not checking the expiration date. It’s not recommended to use condoms past the expiration date because usually they get dry, which increases the possibility of getting torn apart. Even though you use a lot of water-based lubricant, there’s still a chance the condom will get torn apart, so it’s better to discard them if they have already expired.
2.- Exposing them to high temperatures and pressure. Letting them in the car, exposing them to high temperatures, carrying them in your wallet, school bag, or purse, are factors that damage the condom and/or dry it. We recommend a plastic/metal condom case where the condom can be free of these risks.
3.- Using your teeth or scissors to open it. Always remember that the correct way to open a condom is by using the tip of the fingers; otherwise, it can get damaged. If this happens, usually you will notice it when putting it on, so you have the chance to change it for a brand new one.
4.- Not getting the air out of the receptacle. The tip of the condom is called a receptacle, and it comes with a little air bubble. There must be no air in the receptacle; otherwise, the condom will pop out like a balloon under pressure when penetrating.
5.-Not properly unfolding it. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, you may feel the pressure to put it on quickly. So the condom doesn’t unfold to the base of the penis, maybe it won’t get torn apart, but it’s easy to get it out without you or your partner noticing. This could put yourself in danger of an unplanned pregnancy.
6.- Not using lubricant. Even if all condoms come with their own lubricant, it’s worth using some more. The lubricant may dry with constant friction, causing the condom to tear. This is why it’s recommended to apply water-based lubricant when putting it on or when it feels dry to go risk-free.
7.- Use of oil-based lubricants. Oil-based lubricants (for example, cooking oil, cosmetics, glycerin, petrolatum) are not designed for sexual purposes, as they can damage the condom and shred it. Always choose water-based or silicone-based lubricants.
8.- Using two condoms at the same time. We may think it’s safer to use an inner and an external condom, or two condoms of the same type at the same time, but this is incorrect and dangerous. Using two condoms at the same time may increase friction and put you in danger of both condoms failing; they could get out or get torn apart.
The quality of the latex can also be a reason for the condom to fail. If you are willing to know more about the quality of the commercial condoms, you should read the study made in 2010 in Mexico by PROFECO.3
If your condom breaks and you suspect an unplanned pregnancy, you can contact Telefem. They will connect you with a specialist who can guide you through an online abortion pill process, always supporting your autonomy and respecting your choices.
If the condom breaks, here’s a step by step
Like any emergency, it’s top priority to stay calm, instead of being desperate, or overwhelmed, when you notice the torned condom, get it out and put on a new one if you’re going to continue. When the condoms get torn apart with preseminal liquid during vaginal penetration you are exposed to 2 problems: sexual transmitted infections (STI) and an unplanned pregnancy.
If you think you may have been exposed to an STI, you can visit any sexual health clinic to receive prophylaxis or the appropriate treatment. It’s also recommended to get an STI test at least three weeks after unprotected sexual contact to confirm or rule out an infection. Don’t be afraid—STIs are common, not a punishment, and most can be cured or effectively managed.
In case of an unplanned pregnancy, you have these options:
- Emergency contraceptive pill, ECP, or the “morning after pill”. This is a way to avoid the conception and/or the implantation of the fertilized egg; this is not an abortion method.
You must take it right after unprotected sex and 3 days after. The longer you wait to take it, the less effective it becomes. There are two options: one or two pills. When there’s one pill, you must take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If there are two, one must be taken as quickly as possible, and the other 12 hours later.
If you took the pill but you still have doubts that it worked, we recommend you wait until you get your period; but be careful, because these pills can modify your period dates. If you don’t get your period, you can do a pregnancy test.4
If the emergency contraceptive pill didn’t work and your pregnancy test is positive, organizations like Telefem are here to support women and people who can become pregnant in their choice not to continue a pregnancy. If you need support, contact us on WhatsApp.
- Safe Abortion: If you have a positive pregnancy result—whether from a urine test, blood test, or ultrasound—and you do not wish to continue the pregnancy, safe abortion is always an available option.
A safe abortion during the first trimester can be carried out through a self-managed medical abortion. In many states of Mexico, it can be done in private or public health facilities, allowing women and people who can become pregnant to make this choice with professional medical care and specialist support.5
Telefem is a non-profit organization that connects you with online specialists and provides a Telefem kit containing everything you need for your procedure, so you can manage your process with ongoing medical support.
A safe abortion should never be done in uncertainty or isolation. Staying in communication with trained professionals makes all the difference. That’s why Telefem is here — to guide and support you from start to finish.
Send us a WhatsApp today — we’re ready to help.
* This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.
References:
1. ColBach Veracruz. Cuadernillo sobre el condón masculino. [Internet]. 2018. [Visit in April 2025]. Available at: http://www.cobaev.edu.mx/Dies1/archivos/CuadernilloCondonMasculino2018.pdf
2. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Es tu futuro. Tú lo puedes proteger. [Internet]. 2016. [Visit in April 2025]. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/contraception/media/pdfs/2024/07/Teen-Condom-Fact-sheet-Spanish-2016-508.pdf
3. PROFECO. El producto vital a prueba. Estudio de calidad: condones. En: Revista del consumidor febrero 2011. [Internet]. 2011. [Visit in April 2025]. Available at: https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/119162/Estudio_Condones_28-42_Febrero_2011.pdf
4. Planned Parenthood. ¿Los anticonceptivos de emergencia sirven aun cuando estás ovulando? [Internet]. 2023. [Visit in April 2025]. Available at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/es/blog/los-anticonceptivos-de-emergencia-sirven-aun-cuando-estas-ovulando#:~:text=Dicho%20todo%20esto%2C%20la%20%C3%BAnica,haber%20tenido%20sexo%20sin%20protecci%C3%B3n
5. SEGOB. Lineamiento Técnico para el aborto seguro en México. [Visit in April 2025]. Available at: https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/779301/V2-FINAL_Interactivo_22NOV_22-Lineamiento_te_cnico_aborto.pdf