A broken condom can be a stressful situation for both parties involved, and the steps taken after realizing the condom is broken will vary according to the needs of the involved parties. If, for example, it is discovered that the condom is broken before it is used, you can simply throw the condom away. You should probably consider throwing out the rest of the condoms in the box as well, as one broken condom may be indicative of a defective pack. This is not common, though it is a possibility.
If you do not realize you have used a broken condom until after sexual intercourse, it is important to discuss with your partner what the options are. Preventing pregnancy is usually the primary concern for most couples, so a broken condom may require the couple to visit a doctor or clinic that can prescribe a "morning after pill," which disrupts fertilization. It is important to consult a doctor or professional before taking such a pill to ensure it is safe and to find out the proper use of such a medication. Some doctors will prescribe a few pills to a sexually active woman so she can have the pills on hand should such a situation arise.
Many doctors will recommend another contraception method aside from condoms, especially if you are sexually active on a regular basis. This may include birth control pills or injections, or other methods of birth control that often fall on the shoulders of the female to obtain and use properly. Other groups teach abstinence as a way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Condoms also help protect against sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, so if the broken condom occurred during an encounter with an irregular partner, the involved parties should consider getting tested for STDs regularly or semi-regularly after that. It can be difficult to detect some STDs, so more than one visit to a doctor or clinic for a test will be necessary in the months and years following the encounter. The best way to reduce the severity of the consequences of a broken condom is to know your partner, be as monogamous as possible, and to inspect the condom carefully be fore use. This is not always easy to do, but it can help prevent a condom from breaking during intercourse and should therefore be done in as many cases as possible.