Short answer
Stay calm and act quickly. Contact a clinician, pharmacist or sexual health clinic as soon as you can. Emergency contraception and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are both time-sensitive, and PEP must start within 72 hours. You may also want STI testing, timed according to when the exposure happened, so tell the clinic the date.
Read the full guideSafer Sex Basics: Condoms, Toys and STI Prevention GuideSafer sex basics made simple: how to use condoms and lube correctly, share sex toys safely, prevent STIs, get tested, and know when to see a clinician. Updated November 9, 2026 · All questions
