What to Do After Unprotected Sex: Vital Advice for Adults & Teens
Did you recently “do the deed,” and things didn’t go as planned? Maybe the condom broke, or your regular birth control failed you. Regardless of the reason, after having unprotected sex, you might wonder what you need to do to protect yourself.
So, grab a seat and get comfy. We’ll take a look at all the important things you should be doing right after the “oops” moment.
What Exactly is Unprotected Sex?
First things first, what is unprotected sex? It means sexual activity without any kind of barrier methods, such as condoms, intrauterine devices (IUDs), birth control, and so on.
We get it–life happens! Birth control can fail sometimes, condom breaks, or it’s just the moment that sweeps you off your feet. Sex–both protected and unprotected–is normal, healthy, and natural.
However, there are possible risks that may come with unprotected sex, including:
- Unintended Pregnancy: Yup, that’s the big one! That last thing you would want is a surprise exactly nine months later. So, being mindful and keeping a few condoms at hand could help.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): No one likes to talk about STIs. These can cause issues like HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea (among others). Since they can be sneaky and asymptomatic (not showing noticeable signs), regular screening can help.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Not an STI, but still no fun! UTIs happen when bacteria get into the urethra (usually during or after sex), which leads to health complications.
And remember, “unprotected” doesn’t just mean a lack of physical contraceptives. It also involves “consent”. If you or anyone you know has been a subject of non-consensual sex, seek help immediately.
Most Urgent Steps Right After Unprotected Sex
The deed’s done, adrenaline’s falling back to normal, and you’re thinking–what do I do next?
Well, before you dive deep into the state of your relationship and future planning, there are a few things you need to do first.
Urinate and clean the zone to prevent any infection
Take a trip to the nearest bathroom and empty your bladder. Why? To reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Peeing after sex is a good hygiene practice. When you pee, it can flush out any bacteria that may have snuck into your urethra during sex.
Doing this lowers the chances of getting a UTI, and it’s definitely something you want to avoid if you want to enjoy sex. So, make a pit stop!
Symptoms of a UTI you should be on the lookout for:
- Pain in your abdomen, pelvic area, or lower back
- Pressure in the lower part of the penis
- Cloudy, foul-smelling urine
- Urinary incontinence
- Frequent urination
- Pain while peeing (dysuria)
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
- Urge incontinence
- Pain in your genitalia
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
It’s less stressful when you know UTI isn’t an STI. However, some of the symptoms can still be a bit discomforting.
If you feel any of the UTI symptoms we mentioned above, don’t wait for the right time. Seek a healthcare provider and schedule a checkup. The sooner you can address it, the better it is for your overall health.
After you take care of business in the bathroom, it’s time for a gentle rinse around your private area. You should gently clean your privates with warm water.
Also, avoid using harsh soaps or scrubbing too hard. These can cause skin irritation and mess with the natural bacteria balance in your private regions. Think of it as a little hygiene and pampering session!
Go for an unscented, gentle soap for this hygiene routine. But whatever you do, rinse thoroughly. Remember, your body has a natural way of keeping itself clean, so sometimes, less is more!
Take a Morning After Pill Immediately
Grab a morning-after pill right away! If you have concerns about pregnancy and you’re well within the 72 hours of having unprotected vagina intercourse, don’t wait for the right time to get a pill - now is the right time!
The sooner you take the pill, the better it will work to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. You have options like Morning After PillTM by Cadence OTC, Plan B One-Step, and Take Action. You can get them from your nearest convenience store, grocery store, or pharmacy. Others, such as Ella, will require a prescription from your healthcare provider (they are effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex).
Quick Note: Morning-after pills won’t protect you against STIs. They’re just an emergency contraceptive for pregnancy prevention. So, be sure to keep that in mind.
Contact the Authorities If You Didn’t Consent
This is critical. If your experience was non-consensual, speak up. Reach out to the local authorities for help and seek medical attention immediately.
When in a situation where unprotected sex takes place without consent, the law classifies it as sexual assault. It’s a serious situation and can take a toll on your physical and mental health. So, talk to someone you trust and seek the medical and emotional support you deserve.
Know that you’re not alone in this, and you can trust authorities and other resources. It’s recommended that you complete a sexual assault forensic exam (also known as a rape kit) at your nearest hospital so that any DNA evidence from your body, clothes, and other belongings can be collected.
Note: This process may include a cervical screening for people with vaginas, which could be a bit uncomfortable and cause distress after experiencing sexual violence.
Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or speak with your local authority. They can guide you through the process and help you take the right steps for recovery.
What to Do in the Weeks Following Unprotected Sex
You took the immediate steps, which were super important. But they’re not the end of this ordeal. Let’s take a look at a few things you should be keeping an eye out for in the weeks after doing the deed.
Use a Pregnancy Test After 3 Weeks
Even if you were proactive and took a morning-after pill, it’s smart to check your pregnancy status.
You be thinking to yourself, “But I took a morning-after pill?” We understand, but you should remember that no contraceptive is 100% effective. Even the best morning after-after pills have a 95% effectiveness—which declines sharply the longer you wait to take it.
With that in mind, go ahead and buy an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test at your nearest convenience store, grocery store, or pharmacy just to be on the safe side. You can also visit your healthcare provider and request a pregnancy test for more accurate results.
But why do you need to wait 10 days? This waiting period is recommended because pregnancy tests cannot detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that is produced by a pregnancy until 9-10 days after fertilization.
Get Tested for STIs If You Suspect Anything
If you suspect an STI or you begin to experience unusual symptoms, it’s best to get tested immediately.
Certain STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be easily treated with pills or a shot if you catch them early.
Watch out for these symptoms:
- Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis
- Pain during sex
- Bumps or sores in the genital area or the mouth
- Itching or burning sensations (in the genital area)
Most of the STIs are asymptomatic, so it’s always a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider even if you don’t experience unusual symptoms.
Those symptoms can lead to serious health issues, including:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Infertility
- Mother-to-child transmission of the STI (during childbirth)
- Higher risk of cancer or HIV infection
- Blindness
- Birth defects
Depending on when you get STI testing, some STIs may not immediately appear on your test results—but don’t freak out. Some people wait a week or two if they feel unusual, and others visit the clinic immediately after having unprotected sex. Do what works best for you, and always rely on professional medical advice.
Receive PEP in Case HIV is a Concern
If you think you’re at risk of contracting HIV (because you may have had unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive–or someone whose status is unknown, or a sexual assault occurred), a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) test can be a lifesaver.
PEP is a series of HIV medications that must be taken within 72 hours (or three days) after potential exposure to prevent HIV. So, don’t delay if you think it applies to you.
Talk to a healthcare provider or visit an urgent care facility ASAP. A team of professionals can evaluate your risks and prescribe PEP if necessary. It usually involves a course of antiretroviral medications that you’ll need to take to ensure you’re in the clear.
Please note that PEP is typically used for emergencies only.
Tips for Underage Teens
If you’re a teenager, you might be panicking right now. But as stressful as it may seem, if you’re taking the proper steps to protect your sexual and reproductive health, there’s little to worry about. We have got your back with a few extra tips.
Take a Morning-After-Pill ASAP
Take the morning-after pill as soon as you can, as that’ll be your best bet for emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. Please don’t wait or delay taking a Plan B or other levonorgestrel-containing morning-after pills out of fear or uncertainty, as time is of the essence here.
Also, there’s no age restriction on who can buy emergency contraceptive pills, so you shouldn’t run into any issues purchasing them. Find a physical store to buy morning-after pills for pregnancy prevention. To save you time searching around the store for emergency contraceptives, you can typically find these products in the store's family planning or feminine hygiene sections.
If you feel a bit awkward, talk to a trusted adult who might get it for you. If you live near a Planned Parenthood medical center, you can get morning-after pills there, too, with no questions asked.
Tell Someone If Possible
Keeping things bottled up, especially when you’re stressed, won’t help much in this situation. So, share the experience with someone you trust—be it your parent, guardian, or a friend who you know will support you.
Having someone you can trust by your side can make a world of difference. They can share tips, provide guidance, and help you deal with uncomfortable situations. You should remember that asking for help is totally okay, and you should never feel ashamed.
Avoid Any Unconventional Birth Control Method
When you’re in panic mode, you might be tempted to try dangerous methods to prevent pregnancy. But we highly recommend you steer clear of these methods. Not only are they not effective, but they can be dangerous and a serious threat to your health.
Unsafe and unreliable pregnancy prevention methods you should avoid:
- Drinking alcohol
- Ingesting harmful chemicals
- Douching with soap and water after sex
- Inserting a piece of laundry soap into your privates
- Using disinfectants on the outside of the private area to “kill” sperm
Please talk to a trusted adult or healthcare provider to find safe ways to prevent pregnancy.
It can be scary to deal with a situation like this, but it is important that you take the tips mentioned above to protect yourself. You don't have to go through this alone, so seek support from those you trust—and please, don’t hesitate to get medical attention.
How to Prevent This Situation from Happening Again
Now that you know what to do after unprotected sex, we have a few strategies that will help you prevent this situation from happening again (hopefully!).
Always Use Protection
Condoms, birth control pills, the patch, copper IUDs, and the shot are your friends! You should keep contraceptives handy, so you’re always prepared for one of those “moments.” Being prepared can give you peace of mind.
Know Your Boundaries - No Risky Business, Please!
Try to avoid sketchy situations, wherever you suspect you might be peer pressured into having unprotected sex. Sex is a natural and healthy part of life—it shouldn’t happen under a stressful and pressured situation.
Keep a check on your comfort levels, and always be assertive. It’s okay to say “no” if you’re feeling uneasy. In fact, setting up boundaries with your partner and those you engage with can give you peace of mind and mental clarity.
On a side note, having an exit strategy for uncomfortable situations can be a lifesaver.
Know Your Options
Do you know about the many birth control options available to you? If not, take some time to look into the different regular and emergency contraception options. Talk to your healthcare provider or visit a Planned Parenthood (or teen health support center) near you. Professional advice can save you time and mental pain.
Practice Open Communication
Have open communication with your partner. Open and honest communication about sex with your casual or life partner(s) is very important. It not only helps prevent miscommunication or situations like these but also builds trust and respect in the relationship.
Keep Consent Top-of-the-List
Make sure everything is safe and consensual. Everyone who is participating should consent and mutually understand.
The Bottom Line
Worrying about the consequences of unprotected sex? You’re not alone. Start by taking a deep breath and remembering that there are a few steps you should take. These steps will help you plan for the future, keep your health and safety in check, and have peace of mind.
Follow the steps above, and you can regain control of the situation. It’s important to protect your sexual health and well-being.
Just remember to act quickly to prevent unwanted pregnancies and STIs. Get a morning-after pill if necessary, and make sure you’re getting tested at a clinic based on your healthcare provider’s advice. You’ve got this!