# Have you ever had a condom break? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 29, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124 "2008-07-29T19:05:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/41 "2008-07-29T22:20:28Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] Condoms have a small but significant failure rate, even with normal use. That’s why it’s generally recommended to use them with spermicide. [/QUOTE] I’ve heard spermicide can make things unpleasant for the vagina–along the lines of yeast or UT infections… ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/42 "2008-07-29T23:06:42Z")
I cannot be the only person who thinks Trojans were [designed to break open](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horse). I’ve never had one break once its on, but I have seen them break during the process of application once or twice. I’ve also searched frantically for one that “disappeared”. “Wait, uhh… found it.” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/43 "2008-07-29T23:39:07Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] …vaginas with spike strips installed… [/QUOTE] Hell, I’d have been happy with an MP3 player. Or a Garmin. “In 200 inches, please lick left. Recalculating…!” ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/44 "2008-07-30T00:47:05Z")
[QUOTE=malkavia] I’ve never had one break once its on, but I have seen them break during the process of application once or twice. I’ve also searched frantically for one that “disappeared”. “Wait, uhh.. found it.” :eek: [/QUOTE] This. Breakage during application, typically splitting near the base, or slipping off during intercourse. I’d say several times for the former, maybe a couple for the latter. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/45 "2008-07-30T00:58:14Z")
[QUOTE=Freudian Slit] Now I’m scared. From a guy’s perspective, is it obvious? [/QUOTE] I’ve had a number of condoms breaking. I didn’t necessarily notice immediately. I can’t remember if I ever went all the way without noticing anything. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/46 "2008-07-30T01:07:07Z")
[QUOTE=Belrix] But - does the “The condom broke” excuse really have any validity or should I still do this :dubious: when I hear it? [/QUOTE] A condom broke the night of my conception. Admittedly, that was over 40 years ago. I’d like to think there have been improvements in the technology since then. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/47 "2008-07-30T01:08:35Z")
Yes, just last weekend actually. I’m not really all that clear on how it happened as it wasn’t a particularly vigorous session. I noticed and it was replaced, no harm done. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/48 "2008-07-30T01:42:21Z")
[QUOTE=Belrix] maybe it’s their relative infrequency of use, [/QUOTE] It might be that. Two of the women I stayed the longest with weren’t on the pill because it had adverse effects on them, so I used up quite a lot of condoms (and, as I mentioned above, had a number of them breaking). ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/49 "2008-07-30T01:43:43Z")
[QUOTE=Belrix] maybe it’s their relative infrequency of use, [/QUOTE] It might be that. Two of the women I stayed the longest with weren’t on the pill because it had adverse effects on them, so I used up quite a lot of condoms (and, as I mentioned above, had a number of them breaking) hence tend to perceive “condom broke” as something that happens rather than as a convenient excuse. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/50 "2008-07-30T02:02:36Z")
The first was because I was too young to make the connection between “safe” water-based lube and the fact that vaseline wasn’t one of those, despite knowing that it’s “petroleum” jelly. After it broke I said to myself, “Oh. Right.” The second I think had something to do with her nails when she was putting it on. Didn’t break right away, but it was an oh crap thing, because I didn’t notice. But she was on the pill, as it turned out. ---
**Author:** ![unstrung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a698b9/32.png) [@unstrung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unstrung)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/51 "2008-07-30T02:13:37Z")
Never had one break, but I can empathize with the folks who mentioned the “uh-oh, where did it go?” factor. When in high school and in the typical car sex situation with my (then) girlfriend, I had one completely vanish. It was never recovered, despite and extremely panicked and extensive search and rescue mission. We were in my mom’s car at the time, so logic dictates that she probably recovered it at some point, but never said anything about it. I guess at least she knew we were being safe… ---
**Author:** ![unstrung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a698b9/32.png) [@unstrung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unstrung)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/52 "2008-07-30T02:15:57Z")
On re-reading, should be “despite **an** extremely panicked” instead of "despite **and** extremely panicked. I’ll learn to use the preview function someday, I promise… ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/53 "2008-07-30T02:40:06Z")
Huh…just to add to the weirdness, I’ve never “lost” a condom before. It seems odd that it would be more prone to slipping off than break. Glad I haven’t, though, causer it seems a lot less awkward to just slip off the broken one and put on a new one than to “fish around” for the one that fell off. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/54 "2008-07-30T02:45:19Z")
Once. [Result](http://pics.livejournal.com/weirddave/pic/00001peg). ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/55 "2008-07-30T02:50:51Z")
Woefully inexperienced dude checking in. Er - how, exactly, do you determine the appropriate “size” to purchase? Are there standard sizes, or does one just buy a bunch, and hope something fits properly? ---
**Author:** ![Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ersatz_Shmoe)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/56 "2008-07-30T03:05:41Z")
I had two Durex Tuxedos break on me. The campus used to give those out all over. Not so much anymore. Never had any others break. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/57 "2008-07-30T03:06:29Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Excellent] Woefully inexperienced dude checking in. Er - how, exactly, do you determine the appropriate “size” to purchase? Are there standard sizes, or does one just buy a bunch, and hope something fits properly? [/QUOTE] Nah, if you needed to get the Magnum ones, you’d already know you were packing “Meat Heat”. Them regular ones get pretty large when you roll them all the way down. Basically they come in normal and “Yeah, sure man” 😉 Or just ask the chemist for one that would fit a camel. (old joke) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/58 "2008-07-30T03:11:29Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] Nah, if you needed to get the Magnum ones, you’d already know you were packing “Meat Heat”. Them regular ones get pretty large when you roll them all the way down. Basically they come in normal and “Yeah, sure man” 😉 Or just ask the chemist for one that would fit a camel. (old joke) [/QUOTE] Thanks, man. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/59 "2008-07-30T03:17:58Z")
Once. We had used alot of an oil-based suntan lotion about 5 minutes before (the application of which lead to the need for the condom). Noticed fairly quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124/60 "2008-07-30T03:17:58Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Excellent] Thanks, man. [/QUOTE] Anything, anytime my friend. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-had-a-condom-break/458124.md?page=4)