** Risk Assessment **

[bishoujo]

Dear Moderators,

I don't even want to relive the events that took place to cause my present state of anxiety and concern. Nevertheless, here is my story:

I went out with some friends, and alcohol was most definitely and unfortunately involved. Long story short - I ended up at the house of a male friend, and proceeded to have protected vaginal intercourse (with a condom).

The issue is when he pulled out. However, due to intoxication, I am not sure as to what specifically happened, but there was a great amount of semen on the bed...about a yard away from where we had sex. I started to freak out because his semen should have stayed in the condom if he had used it correctly, no? I checked myself to make sure there was no semen inside of me. From what I could tell, there was not, but of course a smell test is not reliable. (I'm telling myself and praying to GOD that semen got on the bed because he was a bit clumsy when he took the condom off. He was intoxicated as well; however he did withdraw immediately after ejaculating).

Due to paranoia, I have asked him of his status. He has told me that he has been recently tested, is negative, and I'm worrying for no reason. *sigh* So my main question is: Is it possible that semen leaked out from the condom during intercourse? If a small amount of semen had leaked out before he pulled out, am I at great risk of infection?

I feel like I'm going to throw up.

Thank you in advance.

[Andy Velez]

Basically I would say you are worrying needlessly. Your cloudy memory is a perfect example of why mixing excessive drinking and casual sex is a combination to be avoided. Keep that in mind for the future.

It seems to me he was wearing the condom when he withdrew and then matters became somewhat sloppy. Which is there was semen on the bed and elsewhere in the room. So you did have protected intercourse. I don't see leakage in you as likely to have occured.

I don't see any need for further concern on your part. Testing? Only if you need the inevitable negative result to put the issue to rest for yourself. But I don't see this as having been a risk situation. Really.

[bishoujo]

Thank you for your fast response. I really appreciate it!

[Andy Velez]

You're welcome. Glad it helped. Now get on with your life.

[Ann]

bishoujo,

I agree with Andy that you are worrying needlessly in this instance. You did the right thing and insisted he used a condom.

The fact that there was semen on the bed three feet away from where you had intercourse points to the fact that he spilled the semen out of the condom AFTER he took it off.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST SPECIFICALLY OVER THIS INCIDENT OF PROTECTED INTERCOURSE, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann