Dr.Deyn Natthakhet Yaemim, written on 28 Janruary 2019. Last reviewed 3 May 2024

My condom broke in Pattaya, Chonburi! What do I do?

Condom breaks are not uncommon. When this happens take a deep breath and think the situation through to make a sensible decisions. There are ways you can do to prevent HIV and other STDs if you act fast. Don't panic! Keep reading our guide and follow these steps!

Where Can I Get PEP After Condom Broke in Pattaya?

PULSE Clinic offers emergency PEP for HIV prevention and STD care in many areas of Pattaya. Pick the branch closest to you and come over for a consultation! Our staff will help guide you through the process of determining which tests are right for you, getting you tested and treated in case your results come back positive. Here are our branches in Pattaya

You can either walk in for emergency PEP services or book an appointment in advance to avoid any long lines. The PULSE team will make sure you have a great experience, giving you the testing and treatment you need to stay healthy and enjoy your life.

Emergency HIV PEP Package at PULSE Clinic

*Tests are required for prescribing PEP for HIV prevention.

PEP Medications Options at PULSE Clinic

For more information about getting HIV treatment at PULSE Clinic, contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat with us via one of the following platforms:

How Did My Condom Break?

Condoms may tear for various reasons. Expired condoms, inappropriately stored condoms (eg. condoms stored in hot areas), poor quality condoms, rough and prolonged sex, insufficient lubrication, damage caused by nails or teeth when opening condom, double condom usage (when 2 condoms are used one on top of another) and re-use of condom. 

How Do I Clean Myself?

When these unfortunate accidents happen, do not panic. For males, wash your genital gently with warm water. For females, do not wash or flush your vagina with caustic fluids or detergent as these can cause mucosal injury to the vaginal wall. Seek treatment and advice from our clinic right away.

What Do I Have To Worry About First?

1. HIV Calm down and talk to your partner about his or her risk of HIV including a history of intravenous drug use, multiple sex partners, using service of sex workers or men who have ever had sex with another man. These are factors that could increase the risk of getting HIV. Women are at a higher risk than men to catch HIV especially if the condom broke after ejaculation.
   
   If your HIV risk is high please see us within 72 hours for HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). This will significantly reduce your risk of getting HIV especially if taken within the first 24 hours.
   
   
2. STDs The probability of either party getting STDs is high after the condom broke. Most people with some STDs do not show symptoms and your partner (or even yourself) may not be aware of it. This is why both should see your Doctor and be screened for STDs such as Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis.
   
   "Doxy PEP" refers to using doxycycline as part of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. It's prescribed after potential exposure to reduce infection risk. PEP should ideally start within 72 hours. Healthcare providers determine the regimen based on individual circumstances. Seeking prompt medical advice is crucial for proper assessment and treatment.
   
   
3. Pregnancy The best thing you can do within the first 48 hours is to see a Doctor and get morning after pills. These are most effective if taken within 48 hours.
   *For women: DO NOT douche immediately after a condom break. This can drive sperm and bacteria deeper into your vagina.

How to Prevent Condom Breaks?

• DO use water based lubricants such as KY jelly.
• DO use proper sized condoms.
• DO hold onto the condom when withdrawing.
• DO store condoms in a cool dry place.
• DO NOT reuse a condom.
• DO NOT open the condom package with your teeth, keys or any sharp object.
• DO NOT unroll the condom before putting it on.
• DO NOT wear 2 condoms at once. Friction can cause breakage.
• DO NOT use oil based lubricants such as Vaseline. This can weaken the latex.
• DO NOT use expired condoms.

PULSE CLINICS recommended to use KOCITAF, TELDY, or BIKTARVY as Emergency PEP to prevent HIV infection talk to our doctor to get KOCITAF and strictly take KOCITAF as prescribed by the doctor.

How Effective is PEP in HIV Prevention?

PEP, or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, is not a cure for HIV. While it can prevent HIV from entering cells in the body and stop infection, it’s not 100% effective. However, there have been very few reports of HIV infection after using PEP.

But if the HIV is Already in the Body, Isn’t It Too Late for Prevention?

Not if you act quickly! After exposure, HIV can enter the bloodstream but takes time to establish itself permanently in the body. If someone exposed to HIV seeks PEP within 72 hours, they have a strong chance of preventing the virus from becoming established.

So, if I take PEP, I won’t become HIV positive

Research indicates that taking PEP significantly reduces the likelihood of HIV infection. However, PEP doesn’t work every time. Some people who take it still end up with HIV afterward. When people taking PEP have acquired HIV, it can fail due to several reasons:

• Some people might not start PEP quickly enough.
• The person doesn’t or isn’t able to take PEP as prescribed (every day for a month).
• Missing doses of PEP or not finishing the 28-day course.
• Some anti-HIV drugs don’t work against certain strains of HIV (HIV drug-resistant, although this is rare).
• The initial viral load (the amount of HIV) in the body was too high for the drugs to be effective. This usually means they already have HIV even before the exposure that brings them to HIV care. Standard procedure will test your HIV status first, then decide what is the right step for you.
• Having unprotected sex or sharing needles, with further exposure to HIV, while taking PEP.

However, the sooner PEP treatment is begun after exposure to the virus, the more likely it is to work.

What to Expect When Receiving Emergency PEP at PULSE Clinic?

During your consultation at PULSE Clinic, you’ll undergo a rapid screening for HIV and Hepatitis B virus, with results available within 15 minutes. The accuracy of these tests is 99.9%. Additionally, kidney function tests will be conducted, and you’ll receive PEP medications. Furthermore, you’ll have the option to undergo a test or treatment for any possible sexually transmitted infections.

What Questions Will the Doctor Ask During Your HIV Evaluation?

Before initiating treatment, the doctor will assess your risk of HIV exposure. They’ll ask questions about the circumstances surrounding your potential exposure, including the type of sexual or injecting activity involved and whether your partner may be HIV-positive. Specific inquiries may include:

• Do you know if the person has HIV? If so, do you know if they maintain an undetectable viral load?
• What type of sexual activity occurred (e.g., anal, vaginal, or oral sex)?
• Did you penetrate or were you penetrated during the encounter?
• Did either of you ejaculate inside the other?
• Are there any other concerns you would like to discuss?

These questions help determine the most appropriate course of action for your health. It’s crucial to be honest and accurate in providing this information, as PULSE Clinic is here to help you, not to judge you.

The information you provide will help us evaluate the seriousness of your situation. It’s important to note that the risk of contracting HIV through oral sex is extremely low. Therefore, PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is generally not recommended after potential exposure to HIV via oral sex. The only exception is if receptive oral sex was performed by a partner known to be HIV-positive, especially if the receptive partner has cuts or lesions, such as ulcers, in their mouth.

At PULSE CLINIC (in every branch throughout Asia), we’ve encountered this scenario over 4,000 times before. You’re not the first and you won’t be the last. The doctor won’t judge; they’ll be very helpful and make you feel at ease.

I Have Completed My 28-Day Course of PEP. What’s Next?

Once you've finished your PEP course, schedule a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider to get tested for HIV. Your doctor will evaluate your risk factors and may recommend starting PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) for ongoing protection. It’s also advisable to get tested again three months after completing PEP to confirm your status.

What Are the Side Effects of HIV PEP?

With the new PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) medications we use, side effects are very rare—fewer than 1 in 100 patients experience any adverse effects.

Common Side Effects
While side effects occur in less than 1% of patients, some of the most commonly reported include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

Less Common Side Effects Rash and fever are uncommon side effects, occurring in less than 0.1% of cases. A study from Australia found that patients taking raltegravir and emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil as PEP reported the following side effects:

• Fatigue (37%)
• Diarrhea (25%)
• Nausea (24%)
• Flatulence (24%)
• Abdominal cramps (21%)
• Bloating (16%)
• Headache (15%)
• Vivid dreams (15%)
• Depression (10%)
• Increased thirst (10%)

It's important to note that the PEP drugs used today are less likely to cause side effects compared to those used in the past. Patients generally find them more tolerable, making it easier to complete the 28-day treatment course."

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