It is needless to start this text by saying how important it is to take precautions when having sex. There is a tendency to associate the condom with preventing the risk of an unwanted pregnancy. This in itself is very serious, because no one should bring a soul into the world if he is not fully aware of what he is doing. However, as its name suggests, the condom not only protects against this possibility, but against any health threat, the risk of sexually transmitted and, in many cases, fatal diseases.

So why would you want to risk your life and health for a moment of recklessness?

However, there is also the possibility of an accident: The condom breaks and you panic. Experts stress, however, that it is very important to keep calm and take the necessary steps in such an emergency.

Healthline has put together all the necessary steps you need to follow immediately after, and in the period after, if you had unprotected sex:

  • Immediately after

If you notice that the condom has broken, it is important to stop any sexual activity immediately. If, again, you had sex without a condom, remember that there are things you can do to protect yourself as much as possible.

First, go to the bathroom and remove the liquids that remain after sexual intercourse. This will help remove bacteria that could lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Sit on the toilet and push down with your genital or anal muscles to expel the remaining fluids. Urination can also help.

These measures of course they cannot protect you from the possibility of pregnancybut they remove the risk of infections.

It’s a myth that the genital areas need thorough cleaning after sexual activity. Keeping the area clean may make you feel better, but it actually increases the risk of infection. This is because cleaning products can cause irritation and inflammation. So, if you want to wash, it is better to use a little warm water, without soap.

After the first, necessary moves, it is important to spend a few minutes with yourself to realize how you feel about what happened. It’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions after unprotected sex, whether that’s worry, anger or sadness. Seek the support of your loved ones if you feel this will help.

  • Plan your next steps

Once you feel more comfortable, you should plan what to do next. If you think you need emergency contraception, look for the nearest open pharmacy. Some pharmaceutical preparations are available without a prescription. If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STD) or HIV, make an appointment with a doctor immediately, who will undergo the necessary tests.

  • Observe if you have symptoms

Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may have no symptoms, but others may cause signs such as sores, itching, foul-smelling discharge or pain when urinating. Monitor your body and if you notice anything suspicious, schedule an STD test.

  • Within 3 days

Some forms of emergency contraception must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Such are EC pills, available without a prescription. They contain a synthetic hormone called levonorgestrel and work by blocking biological processes such as ovulation.

Likewise, it is vital that you take HIV preventive medication within the same time frame. If you are concerned that you may have contracted HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can reduce your risk of infection. Initiating treatment as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours of potential exposure, is critical to its success. You will need to take the treatment once or twice a day for at least 28 days. When it works, the combination of antiretroviral drugs stops the virus from replicating and spreading throughout the body.

  • Within 5 days

There are other types of pills that help prevent pregnancy. For example, ella, a pill that can be taken up to 5 days after sex, prevents or delays ovulation by blocking progesterone and reducing the chances of pregnancy by 85% if taken within 5 days of sex. But the longer you delay taking it, the less effective it is in reducing the chance of pregnancy.

ParaGard, on the other hand, is an intrauterine device (IUD) that can be used as a long-term birth control method. It is the most effective form of emergency contraception, with only 1 in 1,000 people experiencing pregnancy after using it. For these options, you will need to consult a doctor. It can also be used within 5 days and is equally effective on the first and fifth day.

  • 2 weeks later

Unusual discharge and painful urination are common symptoms of both gonorrhea and chlamydia. You should also note if you have bleeding after sex or between periods. Pain may also occur in the throat if gonorrhea is due to oral sex.

However, some people may experience no symptoms at all. Therefore, it is important to get tested for STDs two weeks after sex. Waiting approximately 14 days after possible exposure is considered a necessary time for more reliable results. If you test positive for an STD, you should know that many STDs are treatable with antibiotics, but you should avoid sexual contact until the infection clears.

  • 3 weeks later

If you are worried about the possibility of pregnancy, the first indication will be the delay. You will need to take a pregnancy test to get a first answer. Pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It may take some time for enough hCG to build up in your body, so you will get a more reliable result if you take the test 3 weeks after unprotected sex.

If the test is positive, make an appointment with a doctor immediately to discuss your options.

Regarding the possibility of infections, you should know that, in the case of genital herpes and HIV, there is no cure. Herpes can have symptoms such as blisters that leave open sores or a burning or itching sensation.

HIV can look like the flu. But after these short-term symptoms disappear, you may not notice anything else.

Waiting at least 3 weeks to test for HIV and genital herpes is necessary, as both have a slightly long incubation period. This means you may get a false negative if you take the test too early.

Although these viruses remain in the body forever, there are treatments available that manage the problem. Antiviral medications can help genital herpes symptoms if needed. Similar forms of medication can also prevent HIV from replicating.

  • 6 weeks later

Syphilis is another STD that can be difficult to detect because it may not cause any symptoms. However, it is important to get tested as it can cause long-term health problems in various parts of the body.

Signs of syphilis that may appear include:

  • small sores in the genital area or in the mouth
  • rash on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
  • fever
  • headaches
  • joint pain

The incubation period can be even longer than other infections, so wait about 6 weeks to get tested for a more reliable result. If the result is positive, you will be given a course of antibiotics, and it will again be good to avoid any sexual activity until the infection is completely cleared.

  • 3 months later

It’s always a good idea to recheck for any of the above STDs a few months after having unprotected sex, to make sure nothing bad really happened or that the treatment worked.

In particular, as far as syphilis is concerned, it is recommended to do repeat tests after 3 and 6 months. This will check for any recurring infections, as syphilis has shown signs of resistance to antibiotics.

Things to know for next time

Accidents happen and, in some cases, you may deliberately choose to have sex without a condom. Fortunately, today there are many ways to protect yourself, although a condom is always the best idea.

  • Prevention methods

Reduce your risk of contracting an STD with a barrier method such as condoms, gloves, and dental dams for oral sex. When using condoms, make sure they are not expired and avoid opening the package with sharp objects to avoid possible cuts on the surface.

  • Secondary contraception

While condoms help protect against STDs, they can cause some problems if used as contraception.

If you want a more reliable method, consider using an additional form of birth control, whether it’s birth control or a method like the IUD.

  • Regular STD screening

Regular STD testing is vital to sexual health. It is wise to get tested at least once a year. If you have many sexual partners, do more regular tests, about every 3 or 6 months.

Finally, remember that it is always better to protect yourself and your health from very unpleasant possible effects.