If you’ve had unprotected sex and are panicking, the best thing to do is breathe and be cautious. This is because timing is of the essence when it comes to certain steps you can take.
But don’t let that scare you. You’re certainly not the first person to have unprotected sex, so your resources to deal with the risks are plentiful.
And so, we’ve created a timeline of what you can do after having unprotected sex.
First, what is unprotected sex? Unprotected sex refers to having sex without using it contraceptionsuch as a condom or the birth control pill.
And if you choose condoms during sex, be aware that one of the most common mistakes is to have breaking a condom. If this ever happens, it is important to stop any sexual activity and get away from your partner immediately.
What to do immediately after unprotected sex
After unprotected sex, these are the things you should do immediately…
He goes to the toilet
Urine after sex it’s good, but also do what you can to remove any fluid from the penis that has come into contact with the vagina. Doing so may minimize or remove the chances of a urinary tract infection (urinary tract infection), but it will not eliminate the risk of becoming pregnant. This is because the sperm will have already started traveling towards the egg.
While in the bathroom, it is recommended to take a shower and wash your intimate parts thoroughly and then dry them.
Don’t shower! Washing can cause inflammation and discomfort and could increase your chances of getting an infection.
Once you’ve taken these steps, it’s time to consider your options and plan your next step.
What to do within 3 days after unprotected sex
This next step can be done within 3 days after unprotected sex, but the sooner the better.
Get emergency contraception
Emergency contraception refers to contraceptive methods that can be used to prevent pregnancy. There are several options available (sometimes with or without a prescription).
A form of emergency contraception is morning after pill. There will be different window periods depending on the type you are given, so it is important to listen to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The golden rule though is to get it as soon as possible for it to be most effective.
Another form of emergency contraception is Emergency IUD or glomerulus (intrauterine device). An IUD is a device placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy and can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex.
Keep in mind that these emergency contraceptives do not prevent STD or HIV infection. They are taken to prevent pregnancy.
However, there is a medical treatment for HIV that prevents the infection from occurring. This is called LIVE (post-exposure prophylaxis). For PEP to be most effective, it must be taken within 72 hours of (possible) exposure.
Watch for any STD symptoms
Some STDs can be asymptomatic, but there are some that can show up in the form of sores, itching, discharge, and pain when urinating.
So while we recommend taking care of your genitals and mouth within three days of unprotected sex, it’s a good idea to continue being careful until STD screening it is reliable.
What to do 3 weeks after unprotected sex
As we just mentioned, STD symptoms could appear later. It is recommended that you continue to watch for any unusual symptoms, including bleeding after sex or between periods and sore throat.
After three weeks of unprotected sex, it is highly recommended to have a full STD test as well as an HIV test. In this three-week period, you will definitely get a more reliable result, as some STDs and HIV have an incubation period. The incubation period is the time between exposure and the appearance of an infection.
While some STDs and HIV are incurable, there are ways to manage them in a way that doesn’t put your life at risk. Knowing about your condition sooner rather than later can make a huge difference and can also help prevent it spread of STDs and HIV.
In addition to a full STD test and an HIV test after three weeks, it is strongly recommended to go for an additional test six weeks later.
And then, if you’re worried that you might be pregnant (or even if you’re not worried at all) it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test. However, it is important to wait three weeks after having unprotected sex, as the pregnancy test works by looking for a specific hormone.
When one is pregnant, one will have it hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in their body. However, it can take up to three weeks for this hormone to be detected, so waiting for that three week mark is recommended.
If you test positive, there are options. The most important thing is to make an appointment with your healthcare professional to discuss this with them.
Future precautions
With all these things you can do after unprotected sex, it’s not a bad idea to take precautions against potential risks in the future.
You can prepare yourself by:
- Using a barrier method during intercourse, such as a condom, and using barrier methods during foreplay and oral sex such as gloves or a dental dam
- Having a secondary birth control plan, such as the birth control pill or an IUD
- Make sure your condom hasn’t expired
- Going for regular STD screenings and HIV tests
- Discussing reluctance to use a condom with your partner
- Finding condoms that are strong but thin which does not compromise sensitivity
- Cleaning sex toys before and after use
At the end of the day mistakes are made. And beating yourself up about it or being mad at yourself won’t help.
If you’ve had unprotected sex, the best thing to do is take precautions. Take the right measures while being more careful in the future.
After all, sex is a natural and beautiful thing that should be thoroughly enjoyed between two consenting adults.
