Unprotected sex is any sex without contraception or a condom. You may have forgotten to use contraception, or it may not have worked. Sometimes, for example, a condom might split or slip off during sex.
This still counts as unprotected sex, and you're at risk of STIs and pregnancy. Always hold on to the base of the condom when the penis is pulled out. This will stop the condom slipping off and leaking sperm.
Women who have sex with women also need to know about safer sex, because they can also pass infections on to each other. Find out more about sexual health for women who have sex with women.
Infections
There are lots of STIs, and you only have to sleep with someone once, or have oral sex once, to catch one or more STIs. You can't tell by looking at someone whether they have an STI. Even if you or your partner only had unprotected sex once before, you may have caught an infection.
The best way to avoid getting an STI is to use a condom every time you have sex. Always buy condoms that have the CE mark on the packet, because this means that they've been tested to European safety standards.
Go for a check-up if you've had unprotected sex, and you have any unusual symptoms around your genitals (vagina or penis), such as:
- pain when you pee,
- itching,
- discharge that isn't normal for you,
- sores, or
- unexplained bleeding.
Some people don't notice any symptoms when they have an STI, such as chlamydia, so get tested (even if you don't have any symptoms) if you think you might be at risk.
Go to your nearest sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, or see your GP.
Pregnancy
If a man and woman have unprotected sex, the woman can get pregnant. It doesn't matter what position she has sex in, what time of the month it is, or whether it's her first time.
There's always a risk of unwanted pregnancy, but using contraception and a condom can help to protect against it.
If you think you're pregnant
Usually, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. If you or your girlfriend's period is late, the only way to find out for sure is to do a pregnancy test. You can buy a test at a pharmacy or supermarket, or you can get one for free at a contraceptive or sexual health clinic (find a clinic), young person's clinic (call 0800 567123), or some GP surgeries, pharmacies or NHS walk-in centres.
You can find more information about taking a pregnancy test, and what happens if it's positive, in Am I pregnant?
Talk to a doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you're pregnant, so that you can discuss your choices and any difficult questions that you may have. They can help you to make a decision that's right for you.
If you've had unprotected sex
Don't panic. Emergency contraception can help to prevent pregnancy, and you can get tests and treatment for infections.
There are two types of emergency contraception:
- the emergency contraceptive pill (sometimes called the 'morning-after' pill), and
- the IUD (intrauterine device, sometimes called a coil).
The emergency pill has to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, but it's more effective the sooner it's taken, especially within the first 24 hours. The IUD can be inserted into your uterus up to five days after unprotected sex.
You can get the emergency contraceptive pill and the IUD free from:
You can also get the emergency contraceptive pill free from:
- some pharmacies,
- most NHS walk-in centres and minor injuries units, and
- some accident and emergency (A&E) departments.
You can buy the emergency pill from most pharmacies if you're aged 16 or over, and from some organisations such as bpas or Marie Stopes. The cost varies, but is usually around £26.
If you're not using a regular method of contraception, find one that suits you (and where to get it) so that you can start using it as soon as possible. Find out more about getting contraception.
You can get help and advice on contraception from:
You can call the fpa helpline on 0845 122 8690, or the Brook helpline on 0808 802 1234.
Find out where to get help in a hurry if you need help now (includes missing a pill, and sexual assault).
Learn more about what to do if you or someone you know have been sexually assaulted.
