Dear Cowgirl17,

It was smart thinking to use condoms while having sex. If a condom breaks during intercourse, you may want to consider emergency contraception (EC). EC reduces the risk of pregnancy if started within 120 hours of unprotected vaginal intercourse. The sooner it is started, the better.

If you have had unprotected sex within the last 120 hours (five days), and need an appointment to receive EC, please call 1-800-230-PLAN for the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.

If 120 hours have passed since the condom broke, you may want to get a pregnancy test done as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to deal with a positive result. You can take a home pregnancy test, but getting a pregnancy test done at a clinic is the surest way to find out if you're pregnant.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.