How to avoid pregnancy after having sex?

Every couple wants to have kids, but only when they are ready, and have a proper plan. Although there are several ways to have sex safely, there will be accidents where you might have forgotten to take your pill, or experience a contraceptive failure. In this blog, we will learn about all you need to know on how to avoid pregnancy after having sex.

Contraceptive Pills

If you have unprotected sex, or if you have a condom accident, you can avoid pregnancy with the help of a contraceptive pill, which is also known as the morning-after pill. This pill delays or prevents ovulation. For it to work, make sure to take it within 72–120 hours after having sex. The sooner the better!

How To Stop Pregnancy After 1 Month

In case you find yourself not menstruating after a month of having sex, or tested positive for pregnancy, you can use pills to avoid the unplanned pregnancy. This is usually called an “ abortion pill” and needs to be prescribed by a gynaecologist.

How To Avoid Pregnancy After Sex - Home Remedies

Believe it or not, there are several home remedies that are highly effective in helping you avoid pregnancy. This includes certain natural foods, which prevent fertilisation with minimal health risks. So, what to eat to avoid pregnancy? Here are a few foods that help stop pregnancy:

Papaya:

In case you have had unprotected sex, start eating papaya two times a day for the next four days. Papaya acts as natural birth control, by preventing fertilisation and controlling unwanted pregnancy after sex.

Pineapple:

Pineapple has a natural property of preventing implantation of the fetus, so eating ripe pineapple for 2 to 3 days continuously after having sex can avoid unplanned pregnancy.

Apricot:

Apricot is yet another natural fruit which can prevent implantation naturally. Consume 5 to 10 apricots every single day after intercourse, till your periods start. Alternatively, you can also purchase dried apricots, boil them and blend them into a mixture and drink it.

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon does not work instantly, but can avoid pregnancy, and can even cause abortion or miscarriages in some conditions. To avoid pregnancy after sex, you can consume cinnamon every day in the form of tea until your periods start.

How To Have Sex Without The Fear Of Pregnancy

There are many tools to prevent pregnancy, but the key is to use them the right way for optimal effectiveness. Here are a few things to consider to have sex without the fear of pregnancy:

Long-Term Reversible Contraceptive

The best way to avoid pregnancy is to commit to a long reversible contraceptive. These contraceptives release a hormone called progestin that thickens the mucus in your cervix, preventing the sperm from getting in. It can also stop ovulation. Options for LARC include:

IUD - It is a small T-shaped device which is placed into the uterus to avoid pregnancy. It can last for 3 to 10 years, depending on the type of IUD you choose.

Implant - This is a small rod which is inserted under the skin of your arm. This type can last for up to 3 years.

Permanent Birth control

If you are at a point where you are content with the number of kids you have and are looking to have sex without worrying about conceiving, permanent birth control is the right way. If you’re a woman, you can undergo tube and litigation, which is the surgery that closes your fallopian tubes, so your eggs cannot be fertilised. If you are a man, you can choose a vasectomy which is the procedure that seals the tube that carries your sperm, so it does not enter into your semen.

Make Sure You Don’t Skip On Your Birth Control Pills

Oral contraceptives or birth control pills work perfectly if you do not skip a dose. This pill contains a mix of oestrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that stop ovulation, thicken the mucus present in your cervix and change the lining of the uterus to avoid pregnancy. In case you forget to take a dose, read the directions on your prescription. It will give you a clear insight on how to continue the dose, depending on the doses you missed. You can also use backup birth control in the meantime.

How To Use Condoms To Avoid Pregnancy

Choose The Right Condom

The main reason for content is choosing the wrong size or type. If a condom is too big, it can fall off, or if it is too small, it might break. To avoid such problems, make sure to:

• Check the expiry date of the condoms, and throw out if they're expired.
• Check for holes or tears before having intercourse.
• Choose condoms made of latex, as they are less likely to break.
• Keep them in a dry and cool place.
• Avoid oil-based products like massage oils, Petroleum jelly or lotions that can damage latex condoms. Only use water-based lubricants when it comes to latex condoms.

It is also important that you use condoms in the right way in order to avoid pregnancy after having sex. Here is a step-by-step procedure on how to put on your condom correctly:

• Open the package carefully, ensuring you do not rip off the condom.
• Gently place the condom at the tip of your penis, ensuring that the rolled side is on the outside.
• Press on the top to remove any air in the tip.
• Gently roll it down until it covers your whole penis.
• Make sure to take it off immediately after having sex, and hold the base before you take it off.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/what-to-do-after-unprotected-sex#takeaway

https://www.pristyncare.com/blog/how-to-avoid-pregnancy-after-sex-naturally-pc0101/

https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/easy-ways-prevent-pregnancy