What to Do a Week After Unprotected Sex to Avoid Pregnancy

A single slip-up can lead to a long stretch of anxiety. If it’s been a full week since unprotected sex and you’re just now wondering what steps to take to prevent pregnancy, the pressure starts to feel heavy. You’re probably searching for anything—anything—that might work, even at this late stage.

By now, you’ve probably seen countless articles suggesting morning-after pills and other emergency options. But most of those solutions are only useful within the first few days. So what are your choices when that window has already closed? This article focuses on what can still be done one week after unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy, what’s no longer effective, and what to consider moving forward—because while the options might be fewer, information is still your best tool.

First, Is It Too Late for Emergency Contraception?

Unfortunately, yes—for most emergency contraceptive pills. There are two main types of pills commonly used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex:

• Levonorgestrel (e.g., Plan B or Postinor): Works best within 72 hours.
• Ulipristal acetate (e.g., ella): Can work up to 120 hours (5 days).

By the 7-day mark, neither is considered effective. So if you’re reading this after a full week has passed, pills are no longer a valid solution.

What About the Copper IUD?

This is your only remaining emergency option, but it depends on timing.

A copper IUD can be inserted by a healthcare provider up to 5 days after ovulation, not just 5 days after sex. Since sperm can live for up to 5 days, and most people don’t know exactly when they ovulated, you might still fall within the safe window—but the odds decrease rapidly each day.

If it’s already been 7 days and ovulation likely happened several days ago, the copper IUD may no longer prevent pregnancy. But if there’s any chance ovulation happened later than you thought, it’s worth discussing with a provider immediately.

If It’s Too Late, What Can You Do Now?

When no emergency contraception is left to try, your focus should shift to detection and preparation rather than prevention.

Here’s what you can do right now:

• Track your menstrual cycle: Note when your period is supposed to start. If it’s late by more than a couple of days, take a pregnancy test.
• Prepare to test at the right time: Wait 10–14 days from the date of unprotected sex to get a more accurate result.
• Pay attention to symptoms: These may include light spotting, cramping, breast tenderness, or fatigue. But symptoms alone aren’t enough to confirm anything.
• Write everything down: Your cycle details, symptoms, date of sex, and test results. This will help you if you need to visit a clinic.

Can You Still Stop Pregnancy at This Stage?

If implantation has already begun (which can happen 6–10 days after fertilization), pregnancy is already underway. No medication, pill, or method will be able to stop it.

Trying herbal remedies or “flushes” after this point is not only ineffective—it can be dangerous. There are no safe, proven DIY methods to stop pregnancy at home. If you’re considering extreme options, it’s time to seek medical advice.

Should You Take a Pregnancy Test Now?

Not yet. A test taken one week after unprotected sex is likely to show a false negative, especially if implantation hasn’t happened yet or hCG hasn’t built up.

The best time to test is:

• At least 10–14 days after sex, or
• On the first day of your expected period

Taking a test too early may give you false hope or unnecessary panic. Waiting a few more days gives your body time to show what’s really going on.

What If the Test Comes Back Positive?

If you test positive and pregnancy isn’t what you want, you still have options depending on how far along you are and what’s legal in your area. Early pregnancy can be managed more safely and privately when addressed quickly.

Don’t ignore the result. Speak with a healthcare provider about your choices, which may include:

• In-clinic abortion
• Medication abortion (only available in early pregnancy)
• Continuing the pregnancy with early prenatal care

You are not powerless—even if prevention is no longer possible, you can still make informed decisions.

How to Protect Yourself Moving Forward

One scare is enough to change how you approach protection next time. Here’s how to reduce this type of stress in the future:

• Use condoms consistently and correctly
• Consider a long-term method like birth control pills, implants, patches, or IUDs
• Track ovulation to understand your most fertile days
• Keep emergency contraception on hand, even if you don’t think you’ll need it
• Avoid relying on myths, like the withdrawal method or so-called “flushes”

The goal isn’t just to avoid pregnancy—it’s to avoid the cycle of fear, uncertainty, and sleepless nights.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After the One-Week Mark

Here’s what not to do:

• Don’t keep taking emergency pills hoping they’ll work late—they won’t, and they may mess with your hormones.
• Don’t try unsafe home remedies—there are no proven methods to “flush” out pregnancy after a week.
• Don’t ignore symptoms—even if you feel fine, follow up with testing.
• Don’t panic-test every day—this causes stress and confusion.

Focus on timing and action, not fear.

If it’s been one full week since unprotected sex, your window for preventing pregnancy has likely closed. Emergency pills are no longer effective, and the copper IUD may only offer protection in rare cases depending on your ovulation timing. At this point, your best move is to prepare for testing, monitor your cycle, and seek medical support if needed. The sooner you confirm your status, the sooner you can make the right decision for yourself. You may not be able to undo what happened, but you still have control over what comes next.

ALSO READ; 4 Most Effective Ways to Flush Out Sperm After Unprotected Sex