What to Do When Condom Broke? - Emergency PEP for Students

Condom mishaps happen all the time, but don't worry! There are ways that can help you reduce the risk of HIV infection, even if your condom broke.

Contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat on your preferred platform:

 +66 65 237 1936    @PULSEClinic   PulseClinic

Students Get Special Price for Emergency PEP at PULSE Clinic

PULSE, a clinic that genuinely cares about your well-being, knows that money can be a big deal for students, especially those who’re juggling full-time or part-time studies. So, to help out, our clinic offers emergency PEP at a special price. Just show us a valid ID, like your student ID or a library card from your faculty, and you’ll be all set!

*We offer this special package for student of all ages. Just don't forget to bring the document that proves you're studying when you're visiting us at the clinic.

What is PEP?

PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It’s a fancy way of saying a series of HIV medicines you take after you might have been exposed to the virus. This can happen in different ways, like a condom breaking, slipping off, or having unprotected sex. It can also happen after a sexual assault or when you share needles.

These medicines work together to stop HIV from growing in your body. When it can’t grow, it can’t hurt you.

This sounds amazing, BUT PEP works best within the 72 hours after the potential exposure. After 72 hours the efficacy of PEP decreases significantly. Time is crucial when it comes of PEP and HIV prevention. Don't wait if you're worried you might have been exposed to HIV, visit us for a consultation today!

Who Can Take PEP for HIV Prevention?

You should come to PULSE Clinic for PEP immedieatly if you are:

1. Currently not taking PrEP
2. Currently not already HIV positive
3. Had a potential exposure to HIV within the past 72 hours (3 days)*, this includes unprotected sex, condom broke during sex, sharing needles for drug injections, sexual assault, etc.

*If it has been more than 72 hours after your potential exposure, we still suggest you come to us for a consultation to see what's the best step you can take. The only way you can be sure if you're having an infection is to get tested.

What Else Can I Do After Condom Broke?

There are extra steps other than PEP you can take to help ease your mind after an accident or unprotected sex.

Take DoxyPEP to Prevent Other STDs Rather than HIV

DoxyPEP is a medication that involves taking two capsules of Doxycycline right after sex or within 72 hours. It can help reduce the risk of bacterial infections by about 2/3 compared to people who don’t use DoxyPEP.

HIV isn’t the only concern when it comes to STDs and condom mishaps. Broken condoms can also increase the risk of other STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. These are common bacterial infections that are curable, but it’s better not to have one as frequent infections can lead to drug resistance and cause long-term health issues. HIV PEP doesn’t work with these infections, but don’t worry, you can take DoxyPEP alongside HIV PEP to help reduce the risk.

Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill) for Preventing Pregnancy

Pregnancy is also a huge concerns when it comes to condom mishaps. Broken condom can significantly increase the chance of pregnancy even if there was no ejaculation. Pre-ejaculatory fluid (precum) can contains small amount of sperm. Sperm can hang around in the urethra and mix with pre-cum before you release it. While the odds of getting pregnant from pre-cum are slim, it’s still a thing.

If you are currently not being on any type of birth control (daily contraceptive pills, contraceptive implant, IUD, etc.), you can take emergency contraception. This usually prevent up to over 95% of pregnancies. While it wasn’t meant for everyday use, it can be a real lifesaver in these situations.

Having Fun and Stay Worry-Free with These Simple Steps!

Condoms are not the sole method of STD prevention and/or birth control. (Although, they are a simple and highly effective way to protect yourself when used correctly.) Here are a few other methods you can use alongside condoms to enhance your protection. Then, go ahead and have fun and enjoy life without any worries!

1. Starting PrEP for Even More Protection Against HIV

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, a similar type of medication to PEP but is used BEFORE sex to help reduce the risk entirely. Doctors usually suggest starting PrEP after you finish your course of PEP because it usually means you might have higher risks of HIV than most people. 

Only taking one pill every day, PrEP can help reduce the risk of HIV infection by about 99%! It is one of the most effective ways to prevent HIV. However, it cannot protect you from other types of STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Which makes the next step come in handy!

2. Take DoxyPEP for Extra Protection Against Bacterial Infection

DoxyPEP is a new way to prevent STDs that’s been making waves lately. Basically, you take two capsules of this antibiotic called doxycycline right after sex (or within 72 hours after sex like HIV PEP). It works by killing the bacteria that cause STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. And guess what? It even works before those bacteria can start growing and causing infections. Studies have shown that DoxyPEP can cut your risk of getting an STD by about two-thirds compared to having unprotected sex. 

3. Being on Birth Control

Having a pregnancy when you don’t want one can be tough. We know birth control can seem overwhelming, but it can give you peace of mind when you’re having sex. There are many different options to choose from, so if you’ve had negative experiences with any particular plan, don’t hesitate to talk to our doctor about other options that might be better for you.

4. Keep the Condoms On Whenever You Can

Condoms are a fantastic way to protect yourself from STDs and unwanted pregnancies. They’re easy to use and super effective. Plus, if you use them with other methods, you can even boost your protection against infections. When used correctly, condoms can prevent up to a 98% chance of getting pregnant and HIV or other STDs at the same time. 

We are here to help. Team up with our doctor to make a personalized STD prevention plan just for you. Book an appointment at PULSE near you today!

Contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat on your preferred platform:

 +66 65 237 1936    @PULSEClinic   PulseClinic

Frequently Asked Questions About PEP

When Do I Need to Start Taking PEP?

You should go to the doctor as soon as you realized you might be in risks of HIV infection. Ideally, you should make an appointment within hours after the potential risk.

PEP needs time to break down and absorbed into your system for it to work. The sooner you start taking your first pill, the more time PEP has to protect you from the infection.

How Long Do I Need to Take PEP?

A course of PEP usually lasts 28 days. Typically, PEP comes in the form of tablets that need to be taken daily. You should continue taking them every day until you finish the medicine.

PEP is a short-term course of medication administered after a potential exposure to HIV to prevent infection. If the test results from your follow-up visit came out negative, you don't need to continue taking PEP. However, you might want to consider starting PrEP after you're done with PEP treatment, as it could help reduce the changes of HIV infection the future, and you wouldn't need to worry about HIV that much!

How Does PEP Work?

PEP works by giving antiretroviral (ARV) medications to people who have a potential exposure to HIV. It is important to note that PEP is not a cure for HIV, but is an emergency treatment used to prevent the infection at the very beginning.

These medications essentially interfere with the virus’s ability to replicate and multiply within the body’s cells, thereby giving the immune system a chance to prevent the infection entirely.

How Much Can PEP Help Preventing HIV?

PEP is super effective at reducing the risk of HIV infection. It can cut your chances by over 80%!

But here’s the catch: you’ve got to take all your medicine exactly as prescribed and start PEP within 72 hours of exposure. If you miss a dose or start PEP too late, your chances of getting HIV go way up. So, it’s crucial to follow your doctor's instructions and take PEP on time.

Are There Side Effects from PEP?

PEP can cause side effects, though they are usually mild and shouldn't last that long. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and headaches.

These side effects usually subside or disappear within the first few days or weeks of starting PEP.

Is PEP Safe?

Yes, PEP is generally considered safe. Although it can cause mild side effects, these are usually manageable and not life-threatening.

What Happened if I Missed a Dose of PEP?

Remember to take your PEP every day until you run out of medicine. Even if you miss a pill, PEP might still work, but it’s best to take it as prescribed to make sure it’s effective.

Taking your PEP at the same time every day also helps ensure you have enough medicine in your blood throughout your treatment. If you can’t take it at the same time every day, that’s okay, but it’s best to follow the recommended schedule to make sure the medicine works best for you.

Can I Continue Having Sex While Taking PEP?

It’s important to take a break from sexual activity while taking PEP. This helps reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to your sexual partners in case of infection.

Avoiding sex during your PEP courses can also help ensure you aren't getting any more HIV viruses into your system, which could mess with how PEP works for your body and increase the risk of infection.

PEP is a great way to prevent HIV infection while you’re on treatment, but it doesn’t protect you from other STIs. So, it’s still important to practice good sexual hygiene and wait until you’re all set before having sex.