Seek urgent medical care for severe pelvic or abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, or other serious symptoms. If pregnancy is possible and severe pain or bleeding occurs, prompt evaluation is particularly important.
Sex should not be something a person feels obligated to endure when it hurts.
- The Role of Condoms and Other Protection
Contraception and STI prevention are related, but they are not identical.
Some contraceptive methods, such as hormonal birth control pills, implants, and IUDs, are designed primarily to prevent pregnancy. They do not protect against STIs.
Condoms can reduce both pregnancy risk and the transmission of many infections when used correctly and consistently. They are not perfect protection, but they are an important preventive tool.
For people at increased risk of HIV, a healthcare professional may discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP. This medication can substantially reduce the risk of acquiring HIV when taken as prescribed.
If a possible HIV exposure has occurred recently, post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, may be an option. It must be started as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after the exposure. Anyone who believes they may need PEP should seek urgent medical advice rather than waiting for symptoms.
