"How to Prevent Pregnancy After Unprotected Sexual Intercourse?"

Generally speaking, if a couple does not intend to have children recently, it is advisable to take good contraceptive measures during sexual intercourse. The most common method is to use condoms for contraception. If no contraceptive measures are taken, some emergency methods can also be adopted to prevent pregnancy. The most common method is to use short-acting contraceptives, also known as post-coital contraceptives, which have a relatively high contraceptive efficiency. Let's take a brief look at them below.

1. How to Prevent Pregnancy after Ejaculation

Emergency contraceptive measures can be taken to prevent pregnancy after ejaculation. For those who wish to have long-term contraception and are suitable for placement of intrauterine devices and have contraindications to hormone use, intrauterine devices can be placed within 5 days after contraceptive failure, with a contraceptive efficiency of over 95%. Additionally, oral emergency contraceptives can be taken within 72-120 hours after contraceptive failure. Emergency contraceptives mainly include estrogen-progestin compounds, single progestin preparations, and antiprogestin preparations. After taking emergency contraceptives, nausea, vomiting, irregular vaginal bleeding, and menstrual disorders may occur, which generally do not require treatment. If menstruation is delayed for more than a week, pregnancy should be ruled out. Emergency contraceptives are only effective for one unprotected sexual encounter, and their contraceptive efficiency is significantly lower than regular contraceptive methods. Moreover, emergency contraceptives have a high dose of hormones and significant side effects, and they cannot replace regular contraceptives.

2. When Can Pregnancy Be Detected after Ejaculation?

Pregnancy can generally be detected using a pregnancy test strip more than 10 days after sexual intercourse. Contraception during the safe period is only suitable for women with regular menstrual cycles. The ovulation period is generally 14 days before the next menstrual period. Sexual intercourse is likely to result in pregnancy within 3 days before and 5 days after the ovulation day, which is known as the fertile period. Dates outside of this period are relatively safer and are referred to as the safe period.

3. Can Pregnancy Occur if Semen Leaks Out?

Any fertile-aged woman who has sexual relations without taking contraceptive measures has the potential to become pregnant. Human pregnancy is one of the most extensively studied topics among mammals. If most of the semen ejaculated inside leaks out, it can affect pregnancy, and the chance of conception will be significantly reduced. In ancient China, traditional Chinese medicine was used to clean the vagina of the female partner to kill sperm and prevent pregnancy.