The condom fell off. What do I do now?
By Amy @ Planned Parenthood | Dec. 28, 2010, 4:29 p.m.
Category: Birth Control
So my boyfriend and i were having sex and we didn’t realize the condom had fallen off. What can i do to make sure i don’t become pregnant?
Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy in a situation like this. It can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better it will work. It’s also known as the morning-after pill and by the brand names Plan B One-Step and Next Choice.
Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are available from drugstores and health centers without a prescription for women and men 17 and older. If you are interested in getting emergency contraception and are 17 or older, you can either get it directly from a Planned Parenthood health center or from your local drugstore. If you are younger than 17, you’ll need to go to a Planned Parenthood, other health center, or private health care provider for a prescription.
We all like to be prepared. That is why it’s a great idea to keep some emergency contraception in your medicine cabinet or bedside table in case of an accident. Having the morning-after pill on hand will let you take it as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, when it is most effective. If you are younger than 17, you can ask your health care provider for a prescription that you can fill ahead of time.