Content

Sexual intercourse is not always protected. If a woman does not plan to become pregnant and fears that sex will lead to conception, she should use emergency contraception. These include birth control pills after the act, which must be taken on the first or third day to minimize the likelihood of pregnancy.

Mechanism of action

Unwanted pregnancy pills contain hormones that make the reproductive system work under their control. Since conception occurs within several days after sex, it is necessary to influence the mechanism in the early stages (the maximum efficiency is manifested in 72 hours, then it sharply decreases). It is optimal to take the product within 12-24 hours.

Once in a woman's body, drugs suppress ovulation, some cause a mini-abortion, and menstruation begins. The sperm does not have time to fertilize the egg, pregnancy does not occur. The advantages of using pills include:

• low probability of pregnancy;
• relatively easy portability of funds;
• restoration of reproductive function in the next cycle;
• there is no effect on the hormonal background in general.

Cons of using pills:

• do not protect against infections, viruses, bacteria;
• you cannot use this method all the time;
• complications may appear (vomiting, vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, dizziness);
• the method is not suitable for women who smoke, with increased blood clotting.

What pills to drink so as not to get pregnant

All means of emergency contraception are divided into gestagenic and antigestagenic. Their features:

1. Gestagens- high doses of progesterone are used, the hormone affects the change in the inner layer of the uterus - the endometrium. The drugs block ovulation, so the sperm have nothing to fertilize. Progesterone contains Postinor tablets. Their constant use can disrupt ovarian function.
2. Antigestagens- they use small doses of antiprogesterone, which is more effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy. They inhibit ovulation. These tablets include Ginepristone, Agest.
3. Combined- combine both groups, contain estrogens and gestagens that suppress ovulation. These include Trikvilar,.

Mifepristone preparations

For early termination of pregnancy, drugs based on mifepristone are used. They cause miscarriage, change hormones. Compared to a real abortion, taking pills is simple, safe, and causes minimal complications and side effects. Group representatives:

• Mifegin;
• Mifepristone;
• Pencrofton;
• Mytholian;
• Mifeprex.

Drug name	Ginepristone		Mytholian
	Mifepristone
pharmachologic effect	Blocks the activity of progesterone, inhibits ovulation, changes the endometrium and prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg cell, increases the contractility of the myometrium
Dosage
Reception scheme	By mouth within 72 hours after sex		Inside once under the supervision of a physician
Benefits	Almost 100% protection against pregnancy	Does not affect concentration	Can be used for preparation and induction of labor, does not cause overdose
disadvantages	Do not take food 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking the pill, does not protect against infections	Should not be taken while breastfeeding	May lead to adrenal insufficiency
Cost, rubles	200 for 1 piece	455 for 1 pc.	600 for 3 pcs.

Levonorgestrel-based drugs

The most common drugs in Russia are levonorgestrel-based drugs. They suppress ovulation, prevent the development of pregnancy, cause less nausea compared to combined drugs, but more often disrupt the menstrual cycle. The representatives of the group include:

• Postinor;
• Danazol.

Drug name	Eskinor F		Postinor
	Levonorgestrel
pharmachologic effect	Suppresses ovulation and fertilization. Increases the viscosity of cervical mucus, which interferes with the advancement of sperm
Dosage			2 tablets
Reception scheme		Within 3 days after intercourse	One immediately after intercourse, the second after 12-16 hours
Benefits	Does not affect the nature of menstruation
disadvantages		Not suitable for teenagers under 16	Does not protect against infections
Cost, rubles	400 for 2 pcs.	490 for 1 pc.	375 for 2 pcs.

Combined

As an emergency contraception, you can use combined birth control pills with estrogens and gestagens. They suppress ovulation, do not cause bleeding, but can lead to heavy regular periods or cause it to be late. Group representatives:

• Ovidon, Rigevidon, Mikroginon, Miniziston - single-phase;
• Triziston, Tri-regol, Trikvilar - three-phase.

Drug name		Non-Ovlon		Rigevidon
		Norethisterone, ethinyl estradiol	Norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol	Levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol
pharmachologic effect	It inhibits ovulation, changes the course of the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, causes atrophic changes in the endometrium, and disrupts its ability to implant a fertilized egg.			Inhibits the secretion of gonadotropic hormones, inhibits the maturation and release of the egg
Dosage
Reception scheme	One within 72 hours after sex, the other 12 hours after
Benefits	Improves skin condition	Suitable for diabetes mellitus, but with caution	Effectively protects against pregnancy	Normalizes the menstrual cycle

Girls who have already begun to have sex are forced to worry about protecting themselves from unwanted pregnancies. All available measures are used - hormonal contraceptives, the use of barrier protection, all kinds of vaginal suppositories that bind sperm, uterine rings, plasters. Some couples are protected by the well-known interrupted intercourse. However, not always everything goes smoothly - a forgotten pill, a broken condom, an act interrupted at the wrong time, make their own adjustments. What to do then? How not to get pregnant after intercourse without using contraception?

Unprotected sex and pregnancy

What is generally considered to be unprotected intercourse? When both partners did not use means to prevent pregnancy during sexual intercourse, intercourse is usually called unprotected. But it also happens that contraceptives were used, but incorrectly, for example:

1. The condom broke.

2. The girl forgot to take another hormonal pill.

3. The man did not manage to interrupt the sexual intercourse in time.

4. The sperm got on the external genitals of the partner (there is a risk of sperm penetration into the vagina).

In such cases, the natural reaction of a woman will be excitement or panic, because the risk of pregnancy is high. What if my partner's sperm gets into the vagina?

How to avoid conception after unprotected sex?

There are several ways to prevent conception, even if the male sperm has entered the vagina during sexual intercourse. These include - folk remedies, emergency contraception, spiral installation.

Folk remedies after unprotected sex

Although gynecologists oppose these methods of contraception, calling them not very effective, they have saved many more than once. It is about douching after an unprotected act. The point is to try to flush the semen out of the vagina. Of course, there is no one hundred percent protection, but this method has a right to exist. To increase the efficiency of douching, an acidic solution is prepared, since in such an environment the sperm will die. However, there is a risk of microflora disturbance; as a result of douching with an acidic solution, thrush may develop.

Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or 1 tablespoon of vinegar (9%) per liter of water. Stir and use a syringe to rinse your vagina as best you can. This must be done immediately after sexual contact, which was not protected.

Emergency contraception - when it can help?

If unprotected intercourse has occurred, then the most effective remedy for unwanted pregnancy is the so-called emergency contraception. What it is? These are hormonal pills that prevent conception during the first 2-3 days after sex. Consider a list of drugs:

1. Postinor.
2. Mercilon.
3. Ovidon.
4. Logest.
5. Femoden.
6. Microginon and others.

Taking these drugs causes a strong imbalance of hormones, which makes it impossible for fertilization and attachment of the egg. The main rule is to take the pill immediately or as soon as possible (no later than 72 hours after intercourse). After taking the first dose, the woman needs to drink the second, after 12 hours. It is important to read the instructions carefully and do everything exactly as it is written. The dosage cannot be adjusted.

Note... Emergency contraceptive drugs have many side effects. One of them is nausea and vomiting. If vomiting begins after taking the pill, you need to take another dose of the drug. Study the contraindications for taking pills carefully.

Intrauterine device

An intrauterine device is another way to prevent pregnancy. It is allowed only to women giving birth. If within 3 days you were not able to use emergency contraception, then you can still put a spiral. The main condition for this is that no more than 5 days should pass after sex that was not protected.

When you shouldn't panic?

If you usually take hormonal oral contraceptives, but once missed one pill, then protection lasts for 12 hours after taking the last dose of hormones. If intercourse happened just at this time, there is no reason to worry - you are protected. However, take the missed pill right away, and another 12 hours later.

For women who have a regular cycle, you can use an individual basal temperature schedule. True, this requires its daily measurement, but it allows you to determine safe days on which you can have sex without any fear. Generally, the safest periods are 4-5 days after your period and 3-4 days before your period. Conception cannot occur at this time.

It is much easier to prevent pregnancy today than it used to be. A variety of drugs and methods are available to girls. If you do not plan to have children yet, then do not neglect your own protection, otherwise you will have to be responsible for your carelessness.

From time to time, people think about what to do if there was an unprotected act. This question is extremely important, especially for girls. An unwanted pregnancy in the described situation takes place. If fertilization of the egg occurs, you will either have to give birth or have an abortion. Termination of pregnancy is a serious blow to the body in all directions. Abortion can be avoided by knowing how to handle spontaneous and unprotected sex. How high are the chances of getting pregnant? What methods of emergency contraception should you use? All this and not only will be discussed below. The information is equally useful for both men and women.

Could there be a pregnancy

What if there was an unprotected act? First, don't panic. The girl needs to calm down and analyze the situation. But you shouldn't hesitate either.

Secondly, remember when there was sex without protection. The fact is that pregnancy with interrupted or unprotected intercourse has a chance to be almost always. But on certain days, the probability is negligible.

As a rule, sex a few days after and another week after your period is considered safe. The chances of getting pregnant during these periods are the least.

When to be careful

What to do after an unprotected act? It can be assumed how high the likelihood of getting pregnant is, because emergency contraception can negatively affect health. And therefore, for prevention purposes, it is not recommended to use them.

The "dangerous" days for unprotected intercourse are ovulation, a few days after and 7 days before. This is due to the fact that sperm can live in the female body for about a week. This means that they are quite capable of fertilizing an egg during ovulation.

What unprotected sex leads to

An unprotected act has occurred? What to do? To begin with, everyone should understand what this is fraught with.

The thing is that under such circumstances a girl can become pregnant. We have already spoken about this. Moreover, we considered the possible "dangerous" and "safe" days for unprotected intercourse.

A more unpleasant situation is infection with genital infections. These include:

• syphilis;
• hepatitis B and C;
• papillomavirus;
• trichomoniasis;
• AIDS;
• ureaplasmosis;
• thrush;
• molluscum contagiosum.

In real life, you can get more than 20 STDs. At the same time, in a man, diseases often proceed latently, without giving themselves away. But women quickly understand how unprotected sex turned out.

Anal sex

What if there was an unprotected act? The algorithm of actions depends on what kind of sex it was.

For example, it is impossible to get pregnant with anal intercourse. Especially if you take a shower right away and rinse your anus thoroughly. Therefore, partners are advised to simply wash themselves well and get tested by a venereologist for STDs. You don't need to do anything else.

Oral sex

The next scenario is oral sex. It usually always happens unprotected, but there are exceptions.

Oral sex is considered more dangerous for men. For example, if a lady has dental problems. The same goes for a woman if her partner orally caressed her.

Immediately after such an event, a man needs to be tested by a venereologist and carefully observe the genitals. If you have any complaints, you will have to immediately consult a doctor. During unprotected oral sex, you can infect your genitals. As in the past, oral sex does not lead to pregnancy under any circumstances.

Shower as a way of protection

An unprotected act happened? What to do? You can avoid pregnancy in this case in different ways.

It's worth starting with taking a shower. Immediately after sex, the girl needs to wash herself thoroughly. It is advisable to use gels and soaps for intimate hygiene. The shower will help flush out the bulk of the sperm from the vagina. And this will significantly reduce the chances of pregnancy.

Douching as a contraception

Some girls prefer douching after unprotected sex. This is the process of flushing sperm from the vagina. The method is somewhat reminiscent of the usual shower with a thorough washing.

Douching is often done using boiled water or a spermicide solution. You cannot rely on this technique alone. The fact is that sperm reach the fallopian tubes and penetrate them in about 1.5 minutes. Douching so quickly will not work with all the desire. And flush sperm from the fallopian tubes too.

Intrauterine devices

An unprotected act happened? What to do to avoid pregnancy? A woman can use intrauterine devices. They help prevent pregnancy.

Ideally, it is better to use the technique well in advance. More precisely, install an intrauterine device (coil) in advance, as a means of contraception.

Important: girls sometimes complain that, due to such devices in the body, they have ectopic pregnancies.

For 5 days after unprotected sex, the most effective intrauterine devices are copper-containing devices. They are installed only by doctors.

Hormonal agents

Have a couple had unprotected intercourse? What to do in order not to get pregnant?

Today, girls have long been familiar with such a method of emergency contraception as taking hormonal drugs. There are a lot of them. They all have their own characteristics.

Most "emergency" contraceptives are taken in the first 72 hours after unprotected sex. Some need to be consumed within 48 hours.

The most common emergency contraceptive drug in Russia is Postinor. You can use the pills no more than 1 time per month. Within 2 days after sex the girl needs to take 1 "Postinor" pill, after 12 hours - another one.

Conventional contraceptives

What if there was an unprotected act? Believe it or not, some oral contraceptives can help you avoid getting pregnant. Certain drugs are used in real life as emergency contraceptive pills.

For example, you can drink Ovidon or Microginon after sex without protection. The first drug is taken within 3 days in the amount of 2 tablets at a time, after 12 hours - 2 more tablets. "Mikroginon" is drunk within 72 hours after the act in the amount of 4 capsules, after 12 hours - 4 more pieces.

Mini drank from pregnancy

What to do after an unprotected act? You can have a mini-drink. This is not the best solution, but sometimes it does. Especially if the woman is breastfeeding.

Drink "mini-drank" containing 30 mcg of levonorgestrel in an amount of 20 in the first 48 hours and another 20 tablets after 12 hours.

Important: all of the listed oral contraceptives can lead to side effects. For example, minor vaginal bleeding, vomiting and nausea.

When to do the test

Some people wonder when to do the test after an unprotected act. This is a completely normal question, especially if the girl has not used emergency contraception.

You can donate blood for hCG if your period does not come on time. The level of this hormone is used to judge the onset of pregnancy or its absence.

Conclusion

We have found out why an unprotected act is dangerous. What to do to avoid unwanted pregnancies and STDs too. If you hurry, you can get rid of most of the problems.

Of course, it's best to avoid unprotected sex altogether, especially with non-regular partners and no pregnancy plans. As usual contraception, you can use:

• condoms;
• intrauterine devices;
• birth control pills;
• calendar method of protection (extremely unreliable option).

What to do after an unprotected act? The answer to this question will no longer make you think!

More and more women are looking for ways to avoid pregnancy without using pills or other forms of chemical birth control. If you are willing to closely monitor your reproductive cycle and abstain from sexual intercourse during certain periods, you can prevent pregnancy without using contraceptives. This will help you better understand your body and control your sex life.

Steps

Part 1

Reproductive function

Ovulation. Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovaries and into the fallopian (fallopian) tube. The egg is ready for fertilization within the next 12-24 hours if it encounters a sperm. After fertilization, the egg enters the uterus; in other words, you become pregnant. If the egg is not fertilized during these 12 to 24 hours, then it dies in the fallopian tube and your period begins.

• Most women ovulate in the middle of their menstrual cycle. The average cycle lasts 28 days, however, it can last 24 or 32 days.

1. Learn what it means to be fertile. When you have sex, sperm are released that can live for up to five days. You can get pregnant if you don't use contraception five days before and after ovulation. This is the most favorable period for the fertilization of the egg. Therefore, in order to avoid pregnancy, one must abstain from sex during the above period.

   • It seems that everything is simple, however, in fact, it is rather difficult to determine the exact date of the beginning and the end of this period, since each woman has a different cycle length.
   • The purpose of using this or that method of contraception is to prevent sperm from meeting with the egg during ovulation.

2. Let's see how the natural method of contraception works. Natural contraception will help protect against unwanted pregnancies and choose the time to conceive a child. This method is also called natural family planning. It has two parts. First, you must closely monitor your body's reproductive cycle in order to clearly determine the onset of ovulation. Second, you should avoid sex in the 5 days before and after ovulation, when the chance of fertilizing an egg is greatest. If you do it right, this method is 90 percent effective. If the calculations are not entirely accurate, then the effectiveness of the method is 85 percent (one percent less than when using condoms).

   • Tracking the body's reproductive cycle involves three daily tasks: measuring basal body temperature, analyzing cervical mucus and recording all results in a diary. This tracking is called the symptomatic method of contraception. Over time, you will be able to analyze this data and calculate the beginning and end of the fertile window.
   • The trick is to figure out safe days for sex. For greater safety, most women avoid having intercourse in the following interval: a few days before the beginning and a few days after the end of the fertile window. If you do not want to abstain from sex, then during the above period, use condoms or other methods of contraception.
   • Tracking your menstrual cycle may not be 100 percent accurate. Factors such as weight gain or loss, stress, illness and aging can dramatically change the cycle from month to month. If you want natural contraception to be effective, you need to take all measurements and analyze data as strictly as possible over a long period of time.

   Part 2

   Observing basal body temperature

   1. Buy a basal thermometer. Basal body temperature is the lowest body temperature in a 24 hour period. Immediately after ovulation, there is a slight increase in basal body temperature. Monitoring basal body temperature for a long time will allow you to determine the exact start of the fertile period. Basal thermometers can be purchased at any pharmacy.

      Measure and record your basal body temperature every morning, at the same time. The most accurate way is to measure basal temperature immediately after waking up, before getting out of bed and starting to move. Keep a thermometer next to your bed and get in the habit of taking your temperature first.

      Note the sudden temperature spike that occurs between 7-12 days of measurement. Before ovulation, the average body temperature will fluctuate between 36.2 and 36.5 degrees Celsius. Two to three days after ovulation, the body temperature will rise sharply from 0.4 to 1.0 degrees. This high temperature typically lasts seven to twelve days. Tracking this temperature spike from month to month will help determine the onset of each ovulation.

      Measure your body temperature every day for at least three months. You cannot rely on the accuracy of this method unless you measure for three or more months. If your cycle is regular, then three months should be enough to help you determine the best days to conceive for the next few months.

      • If your cycle is irregular, then measurements should be taken over 6 months or more.
      • Note that illness, stress, alcoholic beverages, and other factors can affect your body temperature. That is why it is necessary to use this measurement method along with others, in case the basal body temperature for some reason cannot be taken into account.

   2. Analyze your measurements to predict the onset of ovulation. After three months or more of tracking your body temperature, use your records to try and predict when ovulation will begin. You need to analyze the data as follows:

      • Look at your schedule and find the day that your temperature spike usually occurs each month.
      • Mark on your calendar two or three days before this temperature spike begins. You most likely ovulated that day. Remember that your body temperature does not rise two to three days after ovulation.
      • To practice natural contraception, avoid unprotected intercourse for at least five days before and after ovulation is expected to begin.
      • Use this method on an equal basis with others to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy.

   Part 3

   Analysis of cervical mucus

   1. Examine cervical mucus every morning. Start checking in the last days of your period. Cervical mucus changes in color, smell, and texture throughout the cycle. By checking it every day, you can identify fertile days.

      • To check, wash your hands, then insert two fingers into the vagina and remove.
      • Alternatively, you can use a cotton swab to remove the mucus. However, you will have to touch to check the texture of the mucus.

   2. Examine texture and color. These characteristics of mucus change from day to day depending on the hormonal fluctuations that indicate the onset of ovulation. Here are the types of mucus at different times in your cycle:

      • 3-5 days after your period, you will most likely have little or no cervical mucus. It is unlikely that you will become pregnant during this time.
      • After that, the mucus will be released in small amounts and will be a little sticky. It is unlikely (but not impossible) that you will become pregnant during this time.
      • The third period is when the mucus will be white or creamy yellow. During this period, you will most likely become pregnant, however, your fertile period has not yet reached its peak.
      • After that, you will notice that the mucus has become transparent, elastic and viscous, like egg white. It can be stretched between the fingers without breaking the integrity. It means you are ovulating. The chances of getting pregnant during this period are very high.
      • The mucus will then become cloudy again for several days.
      • The end of the cycle is the beginning of menstruation.

   3. Record the characteristics of the cervical mucus carefully in a journal. Write down what color and texture it is. Use the same table as for measuring body temperature. Remember to include the date. Here are some examples of such entries:

      • 4/22: The mucus is sticky and white.
      • 4/26: Milky mucus and viscous, like egg white.
      • 4/31: Your period has begun; heavy bleeding.

   4. Record and analyze cervical mucus. The picture will become more accurate if you track cervical mucus for three months or more. Try to trace the pattern to determine the period favorable for conception.

      • The most favorable period for conception is when the mucus has the consistency of egg white. Avoid intercourse a few days before and after. You can stop having sex when the consistency of the mucus changes from sticky to milky.
      • Compare this with your basal body temperature measurements. A few days before the temperature jump, your mucus will turn from sticky to sticky. Ovulation usually occurs between changes in the consistency of mucus and a jump in body temperature.

   Part 4

   Cycle Tracking by Calendar

   1. In addition to measuring temperature and analyzing mucus, you can use a calendar to track your cycle. Most women with regular cycles last 26 to 32 days, although some women have shorter or longer cycles. The first day of your cycle is the first day of your period. The last day of your period is the start of the next cycle.

      • Many women experience a slight change in their menstrual cycle from month to month. Stress, illness, weight loss or gain, and other factors can affect your cycle.
      • For the calendar method to be useful, it must be used in conjunction with other tracking methods.

   2. Mark your menstrual cycle on a calendar. You can use a circle to mark the day your period starts each month. At the end of each cycle, count the number of days passed.