Condoms are 98% effective (in a year, 2 out of every 100 women using condoms correctly, will get pregnant).
 |
Penis's come in all shapes and sizes and so do condoms so experiment and see which ones work best for you – the more comfortable and confident you are the more fun you'll have! As well as every flavour under the sun and various combinations of ribs, dots and sensation enhancing lubricants, there are also special fit condoms like ‘Trim' and ‘Close Fit'. If you or your partner has a latex allergy you can use latex-free condoms like ‘Crystal' or ‘Avanti'. Whichever condoms you choose to use, just make sure you use them properly, otherwise you may as well not have bothered with all that research!!
|
|
Check the Expiry Date and check for the kite mark |
 |
Tear the wrapper open carefully (don't split the condom with jewellery, fingernails or your teeth!) |
|
Check the roll is on the outside |
|
Squeeze the teat (so no air is trapped inside) |
|
Still squeezing the teat put the condom on the end of the penis and roll the condom down with your other hand. |
|
After sex, hold the condom in place before withdrawal |
|
Take the condom off, wrap it up and put it in the bin (not the toilet!). |
|
Only use water based lubricants with latex condoms (e.g. ‘Durex Play' or ‘KY Jelly'). Oil based lubricants like baby oil, lipstick and Vaseline can corrode the rubber and that means the condom may pop, tear or split. |
|
Condoms are NOT reusable! Use them once then throw them away. |
|
Condoms float so unless you want to have that awkward conversation with your grandma, don't try and flush it down the toilet! |
|
If you put the condom on inside out, throw it away and start again, (pre-ejaculate / pre-cum is released from the penis before ejaculation and it contains sperm. If you turn the condom the right way round and use it anyway, there will be pre-ejaculate on the outside which could enter you or your partner's vagina and lead to pregnancy and / or transfer of STI's ). |
|
Condoms are great for protecting you against STI's - sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV but they aren't as reliable as other methods of contraception for protecting against pregnancy. So it's a good idea to think about using another method like the pill as well as condoms, just to be sure! |
|
 |
|
Female condoms are 95% effective, so in a year, 5 out of 100 women using them correctly will get pregnant.
 |
A female condom (Femidom) is a tube made of very thin (polyurethane) plastic, it's closed at one end and designed to form a loose lining of the vagina. It has 2 flexible rings, one at each end, to keep it in place. The loose ring in the closed end fits inside the vagina, the fixed ring at the open end stays outside.
The female condom can be inserted at any time before intercourse, and removed any time later, after the man has ejaculated and withdrawn. |
The female condom stops sperm from entering the vagina.
|
Can be put in anytime before sex (less interruption). |
|
Can protect against STI's - sexually transmitted infections. |
|
Expensive to buy (but you can get them for free from FRESH clinics). |
|
You have to make sure that the penis enters the condom and doesn't enter between the condom and the vagina. |
|
Only 95% effective at protecting against pregnancy |
|
If taken correctly the pill is 99% effective at protecting against pregnancy.
After they've checked that you are OK to take the contraceptive pill, the doctors and nurses at FRESH will issue you with the best pill for you and give it to you there and then (saving you a trip to the chemist!). Whilst you are on the pill, you will be asked to come back for regular check-ups to make sure everything is OK and you'll be able to pick up your next few months supply of the pill at the same time. There are two types of the pill and the doctors or nurses at FRESH will be able to tell you which one is best for you.
The combined pill is the type used by most women. It contains 2 hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.
It stops a woman from releasing an egg each month and usually makes your bleeds lighter, regular and less painful. It's taken once a day and therefore it doesn't interfere with sex.
The most common type of combined pill contains 21 pills in a pack, all of which contain the same dose of hormones. The pills are taken, one a day, followed by a 7-day break (most women usually have a bleed during the 7 day break).
If you think you might forget which days you are supposed to be taking your pill on and which days you are supposed to be having a break, you could ask the doctor or nurse about the Every Day (ED) combined pill. Each pack has 28 pills, 21 are active pills and 7 are dummy (inactive) pills which contain no hormones (bleeding usually occurs while the 7 dummy pills are being taken).
The combined pill isn't suitable for everyone so the doctor or nurse will take details of your full medical history when you first come to the FRESH clinic to check that you are OK to take it.
Some women experience side-effects when they first start taking the pill, but these are usually minor and generally they disappear after a few months.
|
Many women taking the combined pill like the fact that they know they are about to come on their period (no surprises!) |
|
The combined pill also has important health benefits, for example, it can offer some protection against cancer of the ovary and womb. |
|
Headaches, sore breasts, bleeding between periods. |
|
For a very few women, the side-effects may be more serious, such as thrombosis (blood clots in a vein). |
|
Other side effects are listed in the patient information leaflet which is provided with each packet of pills. If you're worried, talk to the doctor or nurse at the FRESH clinic. |
| - |
|
Antibiotics and some other medicines like St Johns Wort can affect the combined pill and stop it from working, so you may have to use extra protection (condoms) while you are on the medicine and for 7 days afterwards. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor if your pill will be affected. |
(The mini-pill) contains only one female hormone, progestogen.
It works by thickening the mucus in the neck of the womb, making it difficult for sperm to move through it. It also changes the lining of the womb so that it will not accept a fertilised egg. In some women it also prevents an egg being released each month. One pill is taken every day until all the pills in the pack are finished. A new pack is then started the next day. This means taking pills everyday there is no break between packs. It's really important that you take the progestogen-only pill at the same time every day.
|
Often periods are lighter, shorter and less painful than usual |
|
With the progestogen-only pill, periods may be irregular with some bleeding between periods, especially for the first few months, some women have no bleeding at all. Other side-effects are rarer but are listed in the patient information leaflet provided with each pill. |
The contraceptive injection is over 99% effective
 |
The injection (Depo-Provera) is given every 12 weeks (three months) in the top of your bum cheek and is a very effective method of contraception. |
It contains the hormone progestogen, which works by stopping eggs from being released from the ovary. The progestogen in the injection also makes the mucus in the neck of the womb thicker. This makes it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. |
|
The injection is a very effective contraceptive and you don't have to worry about getting pregnant or taking pills for 3 months! |
|
It's hard to predict what a woman's bleeding pattern will be when she has the injection, periods usually become irregular or can stop completely. A small number of women will have heavy or prolonged bleeding but this can settle down after a few months. |
| -- |
|
Regular periods and fertility may take up to a year to return after stopping the injection. |
|
Some girls worry about putting on weight if they have the injection but not everybody puts weight on and for those that do, it is usually only a few pounds over a year. |
Once fitted the implant is over 99% effective
 |
The implant is a small, flexible capsule containing the hormone progestogen (a similar hormone to the injection). It is placed under the skin on the inner side of the upper arm. It doesn’t take long to insert the implant under the skin and the doctor or nurse will give you a local anaesthetic first so that it doesn’t hurt.
The progestogen from the implant is released slowly into the body and after 3 years the implant is removed using a local anaesthetic, it can be replaced with another one at the same time if you want to continue using the implant for contraception. |
The progestogen works by stopping eggs from being released from the ovary. The progestogen in the implant also makes the mucus in the neck of the womb thicker, this makes it difficult for sperm to enter the womb.
|
You don’t have to worry about contraception or getting pregnant for 3 years! |
|
A lot of women find that there periods are much lighter and shorter and some may stop having periods while they have the implant in. |
|
It’s hard to predict what a woman’s bleeding pattern will be when she has the implant, periods usually become irregular or can stop completely. A small number of women will have heavy or prolonged bleeding but this can settle down after a few months. |
The implant is over 99% effective once fitted however some over the counter and prescribed medicines can reduce its effectiveness, speak to your doctor or nurse if you’re worried.
Once fitted the IUD or IUS is over 99% effective.
Depending on which type of IUD or IUS you have, your doctor or nurse will need to change it every 5 to 10 years.
The IUD is a small plastic and copper hormone-free device that is fitted into your womb by a doctor or nurse. The IUD has two soft threads attached that hang down just outside the cervix (the neck of the womb) so that you can use two fingers to feel that the device is in place. But don’t worry, they only hang down about a centimetre and your partner won’t be able to feel them during sex. |
The main way an IUD works is by stopping the sperm from reaching an egg. It does this by preventing sperm from surviving in the cervix (the neck of the womb), womb or fallopian tubes. It may also work by stopping a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb. |
|
Because the IUD is hormone-free, you won’t get any of the possible hormonal side-effects that you might get from the pill, injection or implant. |
|
Your periods may be heavier, longer or more painful. |
|
The doctor or nurse will offer you a test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea if they think you may be at risk before fitting the IUD. You will be asked to come back for a check up a few weeks after it has been fitted to make sure that everything is OK but there is no need to attend for regular check ups if you are happy with your IUD. |
 |
The IUS is similar to the IUD, but it contains the hormone progestogen. Like the IUD, the IUS has two soft threads attached which hang down into the vagina so that you can check the device is in place.
|
It works by making the mucus thick in the neck of the womb (cervix), this makes it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. |
|
Your periods will be much lighter, shorter and less painful but you might experience irregular bleeding for the first few months, this usually settles down. |
|
There may be temporary side-effects such as breast tenderness and headaches. |
Emergency contraception can be used to prevent a pregnancy after you have had unprotected sex. If you’ve had sex without using contraception, or you think your contraception might have failed (e.g. if the condom has split or you have missed some pills from your pack) - then it's not too late…
There are two types of emergency contraception, the emergency contraceptive pill (the morning after pill) and the IUD (the copper coil).
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill or "The Morning After Pill" (although this name is a bit misleading)contains a hormone called progestogen. There is 1 pill in the packet which should be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, but it’s much more effective, the sooner you take it.
You can get the emergency contraceptive pill for FREE from any of the following :
|
Your GP |
|
The Pharmacy (most pharmacies run a scheme where you can get the emergency contraceptive pill for free). |
|
Contraception and Sexual Health Clinics, including all FRESH clinics |
|
NHS Walk-In Centres |
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill works by either stopping an egg from being released (ovulation) or by stopping a fertilised egg from settling in your womb. This means that the pill prevents a potential pregnancy rather than ending an existing pregnancy.
|
Occasionally some women may feel sick or even be sick after they have taken the emergency contraceptive pill and some women may have tender breasts or headaches. |
|
Your next proper period may arrive on time, a little early or a little late so don’t panic! |
Emergency contraceptive pills are suitable for most women, but a few women will not be able to use them (your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or contraception advisor will be able to give you advice.
An IUD (intrauterine device) can be fitted by a nurse or doctor as emergency contraception as long as it’s within 5 days of you having unprotected sex.
The IUD may stop an egg being fertilised or stop a fertilised egg from settling in your womb, but it’s not suitable for all women (your doctor, nurse or contraception advisor will be able to advise you).
An IUD is almost 100% effective, it can also provide long-term contraception if you want to continue to use it. If you don't want to continue using an IUD as your long-term method of contraception, a doctor or nurse can remove it when you have had your next period.
Whether or not you have had your period, you must see your doctor or family planning advisor 3 to 4 weeks after the IUD is fitted for a check-up.
|
|
Always use other methods of contraception when you have sex if you do not want to become pregnant. |
|
If you have had unprotected sex and need emergency contraception you may need to be tested for STIs as well – you can ask the doctor or nurse about this. |
You need to start using contraception 21 days (three weeks) after giving birth or you risk getting pregnant again.
Some of the options you might want to consider are:
|
You can start taking the combined pill 21 days after your baby is born. But you should not go on the combined pill if you are breastfeeding. |
|
You can start taking the progestogen-only-pill (mini-pill) 21 days after your baby is born. You can breastfeed whilst taking the progestogen-only-pill. |
|
You can have the contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera) when your baby is 6 weeks old and this will protect you against pregnancy for 3 months. If you want the injection you will have to use alternative contraception (like the pill) from when your baby is three weeks old until you have your injection, otherwise you risk getting pregnant again. You can breastfeed whilst on the contraceptive injection. |
|
You can have the contraceptive implant 21 days after having your baby. The implant will protect you against pregnancy for 3 years. You can breastfeed if you have a contraceptive implant. |
|
If you want to have a coil (IUD or IUS) fitted, this can be done 4 weeks after your baby is born. You can breastfeed if you have a coil. |
| |
If you have sex after your baby is 21 days old and you don’t use protection, you will need emergency contraception to ensure you don’t get pregnant. You can get the emergency contraceptive pill from:
|
Your GP |
|
The pharmacy (most pharmacies run a scheme where you can get the emergency contraceptive pill for free). |
|
Contraception and Sexual Health Clinics, including all FRESH clinics |
|
NHS Walk-In Centres |
|
|
