A condom getting stuck in you can be alarming, but it’s definitely not an emergency. Using clean fingers (ideally with neatly trimmed fingernails to avoid tearing) reach into your vagina and feel around until you find it.
This mishap can occur due to sizing issues, or even just ultra-vigorous thrusting during sex. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Remain calm
While it’s natural to panic when something goes wrong, staying calm is a much better strategy. First and foremost, remember that the condom is not stuck up there forever — and you’re probably not going to die from this ordeal.
Next, make sure your hands are clean, and if possible, lube up the fingers you’ll be using to reach in. (This is not the time to try using a cotton ball or bar of soap.) Using two clean, well-lubricated fingers can help you to feel around and reach in for the misplaced condom.
If you’re having anal sex, it’s important that your partner holds the base of his penis while pulling out to prevent semen from leaking in. This is also why it’s a good idea to use a non-latex condom when you have anal sex, as latex can cause irritation and burns.
If you can’t reach the condom on your own, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your gyno or go see a GP who does gynecological exams. They’ll be able to reach inside of you, just like they would during a pelvic exam, and retrieve the missing condom. It’s a better option than waiting days for the condom to come out on its own, which can put you at risk of pregnancy and STIs.
Try to retrieve the condom
A condom that goes missing up inside of you does not mean that it will stay there forever, and you can still avoid pregnancy or infection. It’s best to try and retrieve the lost condom before you do anything else, and a partner can help (provided they have clean hands and don’t douche).
The easiest way to find it is by feeling around your vagina and anus for foreign objects with your fingertips. If you can’t locate the condom, squat down and bear down to better access the area, or have your partner do it. But don’t reach in with tweezers or anything else, as this could cause an injury, Dweck says. And it’s best not to reach in with your fingers, either, as the vagina and vulva are very sensitive, she adds, and any cuts can lead to bleeding.
If you’re having trouble, ask your gynaecologist for assistance. They’ll be able to get in there with a tool similar to what they use for pelvic exams, which will make it easier to grab the lost condom. But if you do end up going to a doctor, make sure that you explain your situation so they can offer the right advice. You may need to schedule an STI screening, as you’ve probably had unprotected sex, and the used condom can harbor bacteria that cause STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Seek medical assistance
Whether it’s a torn condom or just one that went missing during your last sex session, if you have a foreign object stuck in your vagina or anus, it’s best to see a healthcare professional for a vaginal screening. This way, a medical professional can ensure the object is removed safely and that there isn’t any further damage to your vagina or cervix.
A rogue condom could also be an indicator of an unprotected sex session, so it’s important to talk with your partner about how you plan on using birth control in the future. “A condom can slip off if it isn’t properly put on or if it is the wrong size,” says Dr. Nathan. She also recommends letting your partner know so that he or she can help with a condom inspection.
When a condom gets lodged at the top of your vaginal canal, it can be difficult to retrieve without assistance. But if you remain calm and follow the tips in this article, you shouldn’t have to seek out a gyno for help. If you need a helping hand, have your partner reach inside of you or ask a friend for help. Just be sure that they use clean hands before reaching in since you don’t want to spread any germs around. Douching won’t help either and can actually increase the difficulty of retrieving a rogue condom.
Discuss future contraceptive options
Regardless of what happened, there are always ways to prevent future condom-related mishaps. It’s important to remember that a condom that got stuck inside your body may not be up there forever, and you should make an effort to get it out sooner rather than later. “If you wait too long, you increase your risk of infection,” Ingber says.
A condom that gets stuck inside your body can often be removed if you’re not panicking and are calm, he adds. You can try using a retrieval string if the condom has one, or you can wiggle it in with your fingers until it becomes a little lower down and easier to reach. Squatting down and bearing down, as if you were having a bowel movement, can also help push it out if the condom is stuck in your anal passage.
If you are unable to retrieve the condom by yourself, ask a trusted partner to assist you. However, they should only use their clean, well-lubricated hands to reach in. If they use tweezers or anything else sharp, they can injure their vagina or vulva and potentially cause an infection.
If the condom slipped off during sex, you can still prevent pregnancy and other sexually transmitted infections by taking the morning after pill within 24 hours of unprotected sex. You can buy Plan B over the counter at most drugstores, or you can go to a local health clinic to get it for free.