Your Contraception Guide
Protect Yo’self
BY DR NILE
Your Contraception Guide
If you are in a healthy, happy and loving relationship then this section is for you. If you are not PLEASE WAIT until you are....and check out 'Big Sis Talks' for more on this subject. Even if you are not in a relationship, but you still decide to have sex, then please continue reading to see how you can protect yourself.
Protection is not only to prevent pregnancy but also to prevent infections. The ONLY WAY to protect yourself from SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS is to create a protective BARRIER between you and your partner. If you have both been tested for STI’s and are not having sex with anyone else, you could choose an alternative method to prevent pregnancy.
Barrier methods
Condoms and Femidoms create a barrier to sperm and infection. They protect you from STI’s and pregnancy and are available free from sexual health clinics.
They must be removed carefully to ensure no sperm come into contact with the vagina. Never allow the penis to touch the vagina without being covered before or after sex.
Caps and diaphragms are technically barrier methods but they DO NOT protect you from STI's. They sit inside the vagina, covering the entrance to the uterus.
Top Tip: to prevent a condom from bursting, you should squeeze the air out of the tip by holding it between your fingers then rolling the condom over the erect penis. Always make sure the condoms have not expired.
Tablets & Patches
The combined pill, progesterone only pill & combined patch release hormones which prevent ovulation or stop sperm reaching the egg. These are easy to use & very effective if used correctly. However, it can also be very easy to miss taking a pill and there are rules to follow to ensure they work correctly.
Pills can be taken every day without a break and this will often stop you from having a period. Progesterone only pills can cause irregular bleeding and spotting, which some people may find bothersome. Traditionally, the combined pill was used for 21 days and then stopped for 7 days to have a 'withdrawal bleed', but it is now advised to continue to use the pill EVERY DAY for several months and stop for 4 days when you start to bleed. The progesterone only pill is taken continuously, without a break.
Top tip: use a calendar or have a pill tracker app on your phone to ensure you take one every day. It is best to have a routine like taking it each day after brushing your teeth as this is something you do every day. You can also keep a spare pack of pills in your purse or bag so you can take one while out if you forget.
Injections & Implants
Progesterone only injection and implant release a hormone preventing pregnancy. The Injection lasts 12 weeks and Implant lasts 3 years. Sayana press can be self-injected, but others need to be given by a nurse or doctor.
These are very effective at preventing pregnancy and you don't need to worry about taking a pill every day, but you do need to use condoms in addition to avoid STI's.
Coils & Rings
IUD intrauterine devices sit in the uterus & the contraceptive ring in the vagina & releases copper or hormones to prevent pregnancy. Coils are fitted by a professional and contraceptive rings can be inserted yourself, however, they are not often used by teenagers and a barrier method is still needed to prevent infection.
Free testing kits are available online –
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