Dr. Lilja Stefansson, OBGYN at Atrius Health, answers sensitive questions with straightforward answers.

Q: Dear Dr. Stefansson – I am freaking out. The condom ripped the other night during sex. Right now is not a good time for a pregnancy. Help! – “NotReady”

A: Dear “NotReady,” oh goodness! You experienced what is called a “contraceptive failure.” This happens when the birth control you are using literally fails you in your efforts not to procreate.

Contraceptives have existed for thousands of years. In ancient Greece and Rome, the use of a plant called silphium (found only in a small region of Libya) was so popular as a method of birth control that over-cultivation resulted in its extinction. In ancient Egypt, a concoction of crocodile dung (ew!) and sour milk was developed, which was then placed into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. You really do not want to get pregnant to come up with that!