Dear Jacqui:
I recently had a baby. After my six week checkup my husband and I immediately returned to our love making. After the second day of having sex I noticed that the condoms we used had expired. A couple days later I experienced burning during urination. My vagina was soon covered in the most unsightly sores. The burning stopped but the sores remained and they are painful.

We had sex with and without the condoms. So I assumed that my husband cheated on me during my pregnancy and that he gave me a disease. I confronted him and he said that he did not cheat on me. I believe him, however, I must still find out what this is. While I await the doctor's diagnosis, I would like to know if expired condoms could cause an allergic reaction resulting in such extreme symptoms as the ones I'm experiencing. Lisa

Dear Lisa:
Many women are extremely allergic to certain spermecides which are applied to the tip-off several brands of condoms -- so a bad rash can be caused by condoms, expired or not, and it's not uncommon. However, the severity of the symptoms are not typical. Usually condom allergies result in bumps, itching, redness and the symptoms subside after a few hours or days.

I am glad that you immediately went for medical help which will identify the nature of the bacteria, fungus or virus that caused the painful reaction and you can be healed quickly. Congratulations and much happiness with your newborn.

Jacqui

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