{"id":21851,"date":"2023-12-11T21:59:35","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T20:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=21851"},"modified":"2023-12-11T22:00:26","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T21:00:26","slug":"unprotected-sex-what-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/unprotected-sex-what-now\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Do After You\u2019ve Had Unprotected Sex"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve had unprotected sex and are in a panic, the best thing for you to do is to breathe and to be proactive. This is because timing is of the essence when it comes to certain steps you can take.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But don\u2019t let this scare you. You are definitely not the first person to have unprotected sex, and thus your resources to address the risks are in abundance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And so, we\u2019ve created a timeline of what you can do after you\u2019ve had unprotected sex.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Timeline: What to Do if You\u2019ve Had Unprotected Sex<\/span><\/h1>\n

Firstly, what is unprotected sex? Unprotected sex refers to having sex without the use of <\/span>birth control<\/span><\/a>, such as a condom or the contraceptive pill.<\/span><\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re opting for condoms during sex, be aware that one of the most common mistakes is having the <\/span>condom break<\/span><\/a>. If this ever happens, it\u2019s important to stop any sexual activity and move away from your partner immediately.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do immediately after unprotected sex\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

After unprotected sex, these are the things you should be doing immediately\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Go to the bathroom\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Peeing after sex<\/span><\/a> is good, but also doing what you can to remove any fluid from the penis that\u2019s been in contact with the vagina. Doing this can minimize or remove the chances of getting a <\/span>UTI<\/span><\/a> (urinary tract infection), but it won\u2019t remove any risk of you getting pregnant. This is because the sperm will have already started traveling towards the egg.<\/span><\/p>\n

While you\u2019re in the bathroom, it\u2019s recommended to take a shower and wash your intimate parts thoroughly, then drying them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do not douche<\/span><\/a>! Douching can bring on inflammation and discomfort and it could increase your chances of getting an infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve taken these steps, it\u2019s time to consider your options and plan your next step.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do within 3 days after unprotected sex\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

This next step can be done within 3 days after unprotected sex, but the sooner the better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take an emergency contraception\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Emergency contraceptive refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy. There are different options available (sometimes with or without a prescription).<\/span><\/p>\n

One form of emergency contraception is the <\/span>morning after pill<\/span><\/a>. There will be different window periods depending on which type you are given, so it\u2019s important to listen to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The golden rule however is to take it as soon as possible for it to be the most effective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another form of emergency contraception is an <\/span>emergency IUD<\/span><\/a> or coil (intrauterine device). An IUD is a device that\u2019s fitted inside of the uterus to prevent pregnancy, and it can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take note that these emergency contraceptives do not prevent contracting STIs or HIV. They are taken to prevent pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is however a medical treatment for HIV that prevents the infection from occurring. This is called <\/span>PEP<\/span><\/a> (post-exposure prophylaxis). In order for PEP to be most effective, it must be taken within 72 hours of (possible) exposure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch out for any STI symptoms<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some STI can be asymptomatic, but there are a few that can appear in the form of sores, itchiness, discharge, and pain when urinating.<\/span><\/p>\n

So while we recommend keeping an eye on your genitals and your mouth within three days of unprotected sex, it\u2019s a good idea to continue to be observant until such time that an <\/span>STI screening<\/span><\/a> is reliable.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do 3 weeks after unprotected sex<\/span><\/h2>\n

As we just mentioned, STI symptoms could appear later on. Continuing to look out for any unusual symptoms is recommended, including if you\u2019re bleeding after sex or in between periods, and pain in your throat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After three weeks of having unprotected sex, it\u2019s highly recommended to have a full STI test as well as an HIV test. At this three-week mark, you\u2019ll be sure to get a more reliable result, as some STIs and HIV have an incubation period. An incubation period is the time between exposure and when an infection develops.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While some STIs and HIV are incurable, there are ways to manage them in such a way that it doesn\u2019t compromise your life. Knowing your status earlier rather than later can make a huge difference, and it can also help prevent the <\/span>spread of STIs<\/span><\/a> and HIV.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to a full STI check up and HIV test after three weeks, going for an additional check up six weeks later is highly recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then, if you\u2019re worried that you may be pregnant (or even if you\u2019re not entirely worried) it\u2019s a good idea to take a pregnancy test. It\u2019s important to wait until three weeks after unprotected sex however, as a pregnancy test works by looking for a specific hormone.<\/span><\/p>\n

When someone is pregnant, they\u2019ll have the <\/span>hormone<\/span><\/a> human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in their body. It can take up to three weeks for this hormone to be detected however, so waiting for that three-week mark is recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a positive test, there are options. The most important thing is to make an appointment with your healthcare professional to discuss it with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Future precautions\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

With all of these things you can do after unprotected sex, it\u2019s not a bad idea to take precautions against possible risks in the future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can prepare yourself by:<\/b><\/p>\n