What to Do After Unprotected Sex
What to Do After Unprotected Sex
I had unprotected sex – what should I do?
Let’s face it, unprotected sex can happen even with the best intentions. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do after unprotected sex, but it doesn’t have to be a disaster – there are many ways you can protect yourself against unwanted pregnancy and the development of sexually transmitted infections. The important thing is not to stick your head in the sand and pretend nothing’s happened – the sooner you take action, the more easily you can avoid or treat any unwanted complications of unprotected sex…
What to Do After Unprotected Sex : Want to avoid an unplanned pregnancy? There are options if you’ve had unprotected sex. Maybe the condom broke, you didn’t use one, or you forgot to take your pill – it’s okay, we know from time to time, accidents happen.
But whether it was a one night stand, sex with your partner, or something in between, there are a couple of things to think about.
We’ve created an easy checklist of what you need to know (and do) over the next few weeks to look after yourself.
Within 30 minutes
Lower your chances of a UTI (urinary tract infection)
Weeing soon after having sex will help flush out any bacteria that you might have been exposed to during sex. Drinking lots of water is also really helpful.
Bacteria that gets into your urethra (where wee comes out) can cause an infection, which means it can make it hurt to wee, you might need to wee more often, or you could have pain in your tummy.
Sex increases your risk of developing a UTI, and because of the way female bodies are set up, females are more likely to develop a UTI.
If you do later think you have a UTI, make an appointment at Family Planning or with your doctor to get some antibiotics. This will clear up most UTIs in a few days.
Within 72 hours
Take the emergency contraceptive pill
The ECP (emergency contraceptive pill) can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, but new research shows it’s effective up to four days after sex.
We say the sooner you take it, the better, so make an appointment at Family Planning or with your doctor as soon as possible.
Don’t forget we run drop-in sessions from many of our clinics, so you might not even need an appointment.
If you can’t get to a clinic or a doctor in time, you can still buy the ECP at the pharmacy without a prescription – although this can be more expensive.
The ECP is 98% effective for women of an average weight.
Or, within 5 days
Get an IUD
A copper IUD (intra uterine device) is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Almost anyone can get an IUD, but it is especially recommended for women who are too late for the ECP or weigh more than 70kg.
The IUD can be inserted into the uterus up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, depending on where you are in your cycle. A copper IUD is a really good idea because once it’s in, you’ll be protected for ten years, plus it’s 99% effective – so it’s one of the best options out there.
2 weeks later
Get an STI check
Whether you’ve noticed symptoms or not, you should get an STI test two weeks after having unprotected sex, especially if it was with someone new.
Remember you can get an STI test at Family Planning – all you need to do is pay for your appointment and it’s free if you are under 22.
3 weeks later
Do a pregnancy test
It’s best to wait three two weeks after having unprotected sex before you take a pregnancy test, or from the first day of your missed period. If you take it before then, your body may not have had enough time to build up the hCG hormone, which is how pregnancy tests detect pregnancy.
You can do a pregnancy test at Family Planning, your regular doctor or sexual health clinics, or you can buy them pharmacies and supermarkets.
* If you’re coming to a Family Planning clinic to do a pregnancy test or STI test, make sure you don’t wee right before your appointment, because you’ll probably need to give a urine sample.
For next time
Organise contraception for next time
If you’re using condoms as your main method of contraception and you find you’re having a few slip ups with them, think about switching to a more reliable type of contraception.
Long-lasting contraceptives like the IUD and implant are really effective at preventing unintended pregnancies and they last for 3 to 10 years. There are heaps of options available though and our nurses are here to help you decide what type of contraception will work best for you.
Whichever type of contraception you decide to use, remember to use condoms as well if you want to protect yourself from STIs.
Using a condom plus your regular method of contraception will help protect you from unintended pregnancies and STIs.
Sexually transmitted infections
If you experience symptoms after unprotected sex, you should get tested straight away.
Common STI symptoms for women
- Unexplained bleeding
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when you pee
- Unusual discharge
- Itching around the genital area or anus
- Sores or rashes around the genital area or anus
Common STI symptoms for men
- Bleeding
- Discharge from the penis
- Pain during ejaculation
- Tenderness in the testicles
- Rashes or sores around the genitals or anus
If you are experiencing these sorts of symptoms you should get yourself checked for STIs, or talk to your GP. They may not be the result of a sexually transmitted infection, but could indicate other health issues.
Even if you are experiencing no symptoms at all, you should still get checked if there is any chance that you have contracted an STI. It is estimated that 50% of men and 70-80% of women with chlamydia, for instance, do not experience any symptoms.
It’s extremely important to get tested for STIs because they can develop serious complications. Women with chlamydia or gonorrhoea that is left untreated can develop pelvic inflammatory disease, a condition that can lead to chronic pain, miscarriage and infertility.
Emergency contraception
You might think that, because you used the “withdrawal method”, or had sex in a certain position or at a certain time of month, there’s no chance of pregnancy. Sadly, this is not the case! Unprotected sex is nearly always associated with the risk of pregnancy. Once inside the body, sperm can stay alive and fertilise an egg for up to 7 days – and remember, it only takes one to get pregnant.
If you are a woman who has had unprotected sex and who does not want to get pregnant, emergency contraception should always be a consideration. There are two types of emergency contraception: the emergency contraceptive pill, or morning after pill, and the emergency coil, or IUD. The emergency coil must be fitted by a trained medical professional, but it can effectively prevent pregnancy for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The morning after pill, meanwhile, can be effective for 3-5 days (depending on which type you use).
An emergency coil can be fitted for free at sexual health clinics, or at certain GP surgeries. The morning after pill is also available for free from these places, and can be bought from our online clinic and at most pharmacies.
How can I protect myself for next time?
It’s simple: use contraception!
Condoms
If you do not want to have a baby, and/or if you aren’t sure that your sexual partner is STI-free, you should always use condoms (ideally male, as female condoms can be difficult to use) for penetrative sex, and where possible, dental dams for oral sex.
Bear in mind that:
- condoms that are too big or too small can slip off during sex – if you need smaller or larger condoms than are commonly available, make sure you stock up before sex!
- condoms can be pierced by piercings or fingernails
- oil-based lubricants can weaken condoms
- out-of-date condoms can break easily – so make sure to check the expiry date
Female contraception
If you are a woman or man in a heterosexual monogamous relationship, and are not concerned that your partner may have an STI, but you do not want to have a baby, you should either use condoms or contraception such as the contraceptive pill, the coil, a diaphragm (with spermicide) or the implant or injection.
Men: remember that an unwanted pregnancy will be your responsibility too – if you are going to have sex without a condom, check that your partner is using contraception.
Sex toys
STIs can easily be spread through the use of sex toys. Avoid sharing toys and always wash them after use to reduce the risks.
Sex stats
26% of people don’t routinely practise safe sex with new partners
24% of people either don’t use contraception, or leave it up to their partners
51% of female and 61% of male university students have had unprotected sex
50% of all newly diagnosed STIs are found in people aged 16-25
50% of lesbian and bisexual women in a Stonewall survey were found to have an STI when they were screened
And in a survey of 2000 British women…
17% used emergency contraception after having unprotected sex in the past two years
43% said they didn’t know where to get emergency contraception
63% of women mistakenly thought that the repeated use of emergency contraception made you infertile