Herpes is a highly contagious virus that can spread through skin-to-skin contact or sexual activity. Most sexually active people get this virus at some point in their lives. Once contracted this virus, it stays dormant in the nervous system and leads to many herpes outbreaks. Fortunately, healthy sex life and protected sex can reduce the chances of getting or spreading herpes. However, are condoms always effective in preventing herpes outbreaks? The answer is “No”. Sometimes, condoms break and can’t protect against herpes. Read to know more detail about the reasons condoms break and can’t protect against herpes.

Can Condoms Protect Against Herpes?

Although herpes is highly contagious, it can be prevented by condoms. In fact, condoms protect against herpes. They reduce your risk of getting and spreading this virus to others effectively. Researchers showed that people who often use condoms have a 30% lower risk of getting herpes than those who never used ones. However, they don’t eliminate the chance of contracting herpes.

A few people who use condoms during intercourse have reported that they still contract herpes. Why is that? Because they engage with a person who has herpes already, and condoms can’t cover the affected area. This gives the virus a chance to spread. Therefore, keep in mind that condoms are effective, but not always 100 percent. Herpes still spreads if your affected skin area isn’t covered.

6 Reasons Condoms Break and Can’t Protect Against Herpes

Occasionally, condoms break during intercourse. What happens if a condom breaks while you perform sex with a person who has herpes? Of course, you’ll get herpes as condoms can’t protect against herpes. Here’re 6 reasons condoms break and can’t protect against herpes.

1. Condoms Are Expired

Similar to everything, condoms have an expiration date. And if your condom breaks, you should take a look back at its expiration day. Most expiration dates of condoms are printed on the box. So be careful to take a little time to see the expiration day before using. Your accident during sex can occur because of a broken condom.

Related: FAQs After a Genital Herpes Diagnosis

2. Condoms Are Too Small

Choosing the correct size of condoms is important to help you protect against herpes. Why? Because another reason for condoms break and can’t protect against herpes is they simply don’t fit. When using too small condoms, they create pressure on the latex and increase the risk of a break. That’s why it’s always recommended to use the correct size condoms.

3. You Keep Them in Wrong Place

Do you always store condoms in your wallet? If yes, you should change this habit. Keeping condoms in the wallet or cars seem to be a good idea. But when you’re outside in 40 degree weather all the time, the heat may damage the integrity of the latex material and increase the risk of a break. Thus, don’t store them in your car or wallet. Condoms should be kept in a cool and dry place.

4. Condoms Are Not Used Correctly

When condoms are not used correctly, they easily break and can’t protect against herpes. Sometimes, the moment of sex is building up and you can’t control everything. Suddenly, you remember that you have to put a condom. But while you’re in a rush, a condom can be put incorrectly or you may break it with your teeth or nail. So it’s crucial to open a condom slowly and not tear it with your teeth. Moreover, make sure that you’re wearing it right way before starting having intercourse.

5. You Wear Two Condoms

Some people are worried about a condom can break during sex, so they wear two or three condoms for sure. However, you should know that the friction from many condoms will lead to breaking. Thus, if both combine an external condom for men and an internal condom for women, this still causes friction and break condoms as well. As a result, broken condoms can’t protect against herpes.

Related: 7 Amazing Tips to Treat and Avoid Spreading Herpes

6. Oil-based Lubricants Don’t Work With Latex Condoms

While some lubricants are used with condoms, others shouldn’t be used as they can tear your condoms. Using some products, such as oils, lotions, or lubricants don’t fit with latex condoms and cause them to break. If you don’t want to have a broken condom, avoid using Vaseline, coconut oil, and body lotions which contain oil as lubricants.

What Happens If a Condom Breaks and Can’t Protect Against herpes?

If a condom breaks while you engage sex with a person who has herpes, you may be infected with this virus. Here’re things you should do

• Stop intercourse. As herpes is highly contagious, it easily spreads to others. You must stop intercourse immediately.
• Get herpes tested. A swab test and blood tests can help you to detect the virus
• Receive treatment. There’s no cure for herpes, but certain treatments can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent this virus from coming back. Acyclovir, Valacyclovir are commonly prescribed medications for herpes. You can apply topical creams, such as Prosurx to treat.
• Practice a healthy sex life. A healthy sex life helps to reduce your chance of getting STDs. You should use protective methods, such as condoms or dental dams during intercourse.

Condoms are effective in reducing your risk of getting herpes. But there’s many things can break your condoms during sex. If a condom breaks, it can’t protect against herpes. Therefore, it’s really crucial to know the reasons condoms break and avoid them.