You might already know all about the safe sex rules that you are supposed to follow. However, in the heat of the moment, sometimes people can be prone to making risky decisions. This isn’t something that you should beat yourself up about, but it is something that you should take seriously. Even though it’s best to avoid having unprotected sex in the first place, now that the deed has already been done, you could be wondering if there is anything that you can do to protect yourself. These are a few tips that can help.
Consider Taking an Emergency Contraceptive
If you’re a female who is concerned that you might be pregnant after having unprotected sex, you may want to look into taking an emergency contraceptive. You can ask your doctor about this, or you may even be able to buy it at a local pharmacy without a prescription. Make sure that you follow the directions carefully. Also, remember that these medications are usually more effective if you take them as soon as possible, so this is not something that you are going to want to delay on.
Get Tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
An unplanned pregnancy is not the only thing that you have to worry about after having unprotected sex. An even more important concern is about the potential of sexually transmitted diseases or infections. Therefore, it’s important to use a condom every time that you have sex with someone you don’t know well or who might be having sex with other people. Having an std panel done at a local clinic as soon as possible is very important. Then, you can be screened for STDs and STIs. If you do have something, the clinic should notify you and help you with your treatment plan.
Make a Plan for the Future
After doing what you can to protect yourself after having unprotected sex, it’s important to think about the future so that you can try to prevent yourself from being in the same situation again later. Starting out by doing your research about the risks of unprotected sex can help educate you and help you understand why it’s truly a bad idea.
If you are a woman who is concerned about the risk of an unplanned pregnancy, you may want to consider getting on birth control. Even if you are planning on using condoms in the future, getting on birth control can be a good backup method to help prevent an unplanned pregnancy, even if the condom fails. Additionally, keeping condoms in your purse or wallet will help you be better prepared for any future sexual encounters.
Again, it’s better to avoid having unprotected sex at all, particularly with people who you don’t know well or who you are not in a monogamous relationship with. However, if you have made this mistake, then you shouldn’t just ignore the risks. Instead, follow the above-mentioned tips to try to protect yourself after the fact as much as possible.