Hey everyone, I work as a volunteer doctor at an STD testing center in Europe, and I need your help with something that's been coming up in counseling sessions. While we always try to provide evidence-based advice and address concerns in a rational, empathic way, I've recently run into a question that I don't have solid data for.

Here's what I'm trying to figure out: Can tops always tell when a condom breaks during or after sex (assuming they're fully aware/sober)? I've usually told people that you'd notice - either during the act or afterward when pulling out, since a broken condom typically rolls down like a ring. And if you finish inside and everything looks intact afterwards, you should be good. But after talking with other volunteers at the clinic, I'm realizing this might not always be true.

So I wanted to ask: Is a broken condom always obvious? Are there cases where it could break without someone noticing, even if they finish inside?

Your input would really help inform how we counsel future patients at the clinic. Thanks in advance!

Update/clarification: the Q is more about - is it possible for the condom to tear without noticing? Like could the top think everything's fine while there's actually a tear in the condom?