Sexually transmitted infections are annoying and can affect your long-term health.
First of all, using a condom will help you prevent many intimate infections, so do your best to take this measure. However, sometimes “accidents” can happen: either simply in the heat of the moment you forget protection, or the condom breaks. No matter how hard we try to do things “right”, mistakes happen. It’s human and it happens more often than you think. Unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections are extremely common. While some people have a stronger immune system, others are vulnerable and almost any unprotected sexual contact brings unpleasant consequences.
So, what is in your power to do after a sexual contact in which you did not protect yourself as you would have liked?
What to do immediately after sexual contact
If you notice that the condom has broken, it is best to stop the sexual act. But if this has already taken place without protection, take some basic measures:
Go to the toilet
Urinating immediately after sex helps you prevent the accumulation of bacteria in the urethra and thus avoid a urinary infection. You can also remove excess fluids from the vagina, but this does not eliminate the risk of pregnancy.
Carefully wash the intimate area
If you have already had unprotected sexual contact, the vaginal shower (internal) will not save you from a possible infection, but on the contrary – it may increase the risk, because it affects the vaginal pH, which has a protective role. But gentle washing of the intimate area can be of great help. Use a delicate, fragrance-free intimate gel to wash the vulva.
Follow the symptoms
While some sexually transmitted infections may be symptomless, others may appear in the form of wounds, itching, secretions with an unpleasant odor or changed color, pain when urinating. Watch for any changes that occur in the vulva, anus and mouth area, and schedule a secretion test if you notice anything unusual.
Within 3 days
Take the morning after pill
If you are concerned about the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy, in the first three days after unprotected sexual contact it is recommended to take the “morning after pill”, a form of hormonal contraception that prevents ovulation from occurring and thus dramatically reduces the possibility of pregnancy. Fortunately, these types of pills are available at the pharmacy without a prescription, so you will find them easily. The sooner you take this measure, the more effective it will be, but some of them work even within five days of having sex (although it is not recommended to wait that long). If you have any questions, it is important to talk to the pharmacist. Remember that this is an emergency measure and you should not use it frequently.
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After two weeks
Altered secretions and pain when urinating are common symptoms for both gonorrhea and chlamydia. You should also pay attention to bleeding after sex or between periods. However, some people do not show any symptoms.
Therefore, it is important to get tested for both STDs two weeks after intercourse, because left untreated they can lead to more serious problems, such as infertility.
If you receive a positive result, do not panic – both infections are treatable with antibiotics, but it is recommended to stop sexual activity until the infection disappears. The partner must also follow the treatment.
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After three weeks
Regarding the possibility of pregnancy, the first sign should be the delay of menstruation. Three weeks after sexual intercourse, you can take a pregnancy test, but take into account the fact that it does not always detect pregnancy. If you have doubts, you can repeat it, and if it comes out positive, it is best to go to the doctor for confirmation. But if you have taken the morning-after pill or are taking contraceptives, the possibility of pregnancy is very low.
As for HPV or HIV testing, it is good to wait three weeks to receive the most accurate results, both of which have a fairly long incubation period. If you have had unprotected sex, it is extremely important to get tested annually for these sexually transmitted diseases.
Photo: Freepik.com
2023-09-27 06:09:40
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