Get contraception sorted
Tuesday 23 August 2005
If you're thinking about having sex, then one of the most important things you need to do is get your contraception sorted.
The purpose of using contraception is to prevent unintended pregnancy. Remember, only condoms can prevent the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (also known as STIs).
Methods such as 'withdrawal' and 'the rhythm method' should not be used. These are ineffective at preventing unintended pregnancy and do not prevent the spread of STIs.
There are loads of different methods that do work, all with their individual pros and cons. RU thinking, a dedicated website for young people on sex and relationships has more information on each method. Here's a brief description of some of the most common ones.
Condoms
Both guys and girls can use condoms, but the guys' version is more common. Condoms are around 98 per cent effective in preventing unintended pregnancy and also help to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) too. What's good about them is that they are easily available.
Although there are laws that say when it becomes legal to have sex, you can buy condoms at any age from chemists and supermarkets. Family planning clinics and specialist centres such as Brook centres also give condoms away for free.
The pill
There are actually a few different types of contraceptive pill, taken at different times and at different frequencies. The pill is taken by the girl, and although some girls find certain types of pill help with periods, there can be side effects such as weight gain, skin complaints and high blood pressure.
The main thing to consider is that although the pill protects against unintended pregnancy, it doesn't offer any protection against STIs. You can get the pill from your GP or a doctor at a family planning clinic, as well as at a Genito Urinary Medicine clinic, also known as the GUM clinic. You can find your nearest GUM clinic online. In step 2, select 'Sexual Health/STI testing'.
Injections and patches
Girls can now receive a monthly injection that can prevent against unintended pregnancy. This isn't suitable for all girls, and has to be given by a doctor. One thing to remember is that it doesn't protect against STIs. Also available are patches, which look a bit like patches used by people who want to give up smoking. They have to be changed every week and don't protect against STIs.
The 'cap' (also known as diaphragm)
The cap is a rubber device that fits inside a girl's vagina and covers her cervix to stop sperm entering. It has to be put in before sex and it has to be used with a kind of solution called spermicide. A girl wanting to have a cap will have to have it fitted initially by a doctor. It has to be kept in for up to 12 hours after sex and protects against some, but not all, STIs.
If all else fails: Emergency contraception
If your other methods have failed, for example a pill wasn't taken or a condom splits, or if no contraception was used at all during sex, emergency contraception is available. The most common form of emergency contraception comes as a pill.
Sometimes known as the 'morning after pill', emergency contraception pills should be taken as soon as you can after you've had sex; they can be used up to 72 hours (three days) later. The longer a girl leaves it before taking it, the less effective the pill becomes.
You can get the pills free from family planning clinics, GPs, Brook centres, NHS walk-in centres, GUM clinics and some A&E (casualty) departments at hospitals. Your phone directory or yellow pages should give you details of where you can find these places locally. Give them a call and ask if they can help you.
You can also buy the emergency contraception pill from most pharmacies. It costs around £24. Some pharmacies in your area may provide emergency contraception for free. Be sure to check with your pharmacist first.
