Safe sex
When a big night turns into a BIG night, then make sure you play safe.
Just say. . . what you really think
If you've met someone out clubbing and end up in bed with them, remember you are still under no obligation to have sex. Drugs and alcohol may cloud your thinking so try and look forward a day or two and see whether it's such a good idea.
Be prepared
If you are going to get dirty, then make sure you're packed and ready to go. It's not presumptuous to take condoms out with you, after all, it's better to be ready and luck out than pull and not have any protection.
Condoms prevent sperm from getting into the female body, and also stop body fluids from mixing during vaginal, oral or anal sex. If you are buying condoms, always make sure there is a BSI kitemark or a CE mark on the packaging - this means they have been tested to a higher safety standard. If the instructions on the packet are followed correctly, the male condom is 94 to 98% effective against pregnancy. The female condom is 95% effective.
Condoms are available with or without lubricants and spermicide, and can be plain, flavoured, coloured or textured. They can be bought in supermarkets, chemists, or petrol stations. They are also available free from family planning clinics.
And if you weren't prepared
Unprotected sex isn't clever; it puts you at risk of contracting a number of Sexually Transmitted Infections and you could run the chance of creating an unwanted pregnancy. There are still some things you can to do prevent a pregnancy. If you get to your GP, Family Planning Clinic or Brook Advisory Clinic within 72 hours, you can choose between two kinds of emergency contraceptives. Both methods can prevent a woman's egg from implanting in her womb, in case it has been fertilised by a sperm. You may be offered a 'morning after' pill or an IUD (coil). Some local chemists are now selling the post-coital pill over the counter, without a prescription. It is expensive, and is definitely not meant to replace regular contraceptive methods.
Morning after pills - Not a very correct name as they can be taken up to 72 hours later and still be effective. Their proper name is 'the post-coital pill' or PCP, and you can only get them on prescription. They are about 95% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex. The later they are taken, the less likely they are to be effective.
The IUD (coil) Method - If the pill is not suitable for you, the doctor may offer you an IUD. The tiny device is inserted into the uterus (womb) through the vagina to prevent a pregnancy from developing. The procedure is usually done at a Family Planning Clinic. This method can be used up to five days after having unprotected sex. Disadvantages include cramps (like period pains), and a possibility of the IUD falling out.
Remember, accidents can and do happen, so don't focus on feeling terrible about it; the people at the clinic will understand. But if you are frequently having unprotected sex, or find that barrier methods are failing, it is time to seriously re-think your contraception choices.
Print this page Email this page to a friend Add to favourites
