Oops, what if I had sex on the wrong day when using fertility awareness methods?

I had sex on the wrong day when using a fertility awareness method.

Oct 13, 2015 Updated: Aug 28, 2025

If it’s been 5 days or less since you had sex on a fertile day, you can take emergency contraception (EC) pills. If it was more than 10 days ago, you might want to take a pregnancy test.

Still not working?

If you’re having trouble getting your fertile times right, you might want to consider another method that doesn’t require tracking your fertile days like the pill, condoms, an [IUD]( ](/birth-control/IUD), or the implant. Like the no-hormone aspect of fertility awareness? Check out the non-hormonal copper IUD or stick with a barrier method like condoms

Want to learn more?

Select one of the related topics to find more.

basal body temperature (BBT) method cervical mucus method birth control fertility awareness standard days method symptothermal method TwoDay method fertility awareness methods FAMs

Related methods

Dive in and learn all the details about these related birth control methods.

birth control
Fertility awareness methods
Very effective if you use them correctly. Hormone-free, no cost, no side effects.
birth control
Implant (Nexplanon)
Super effective, lasts for years, low-maintenance, and private.
birth control
Condom
Very effective if you use them correctly, but not super effective the way most people use them. Hormone free, protect against STIs, and don't require a prescription, but they do require work.
birth control
Internal condom (FC2)
Very effective if you use them correctly, but not super effective the way most people use them. Hormone free, protect against STIs, and great for those with latex allergies.
birth control
IUD
Super effective, lasts for years, low-maintenance, and private (though some partners can feel the strings). You can choose hormonal or non-hormonal.