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I’m having sex, why do I need to think about contraception?

• To avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
• To avoid catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI), including HIV.

Where can I get contraception?

• You can go to a sexual health clinic, many of which also have young people’s clinics.
• You can also go to your GP or to a Brook centre.
• The service is free and confidential at any of these places, so no-one will be told you have been.

There are different types of contraception:

• Contraceptive pills, patches, injections and implants release hormones which stop your ovaries releasing an egg, stop the sperm entering your cervix or stop a fertilised egg implanting in your womb.
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are fitted inside of your womb and kill the sperm and stop fertilised eggs from implanting, and intrauterine systems (IUSs) release hormones to stop this happening.
• Caps or diaphragms can be fitted over the cervix to prevent the sperm from entering.
• Male or female condoms (Femidoms) stop the sperm from entering the woman's body.

You can find out more here.

Will all contraception protect us from unwanted pregnancies and STIs?

• No - condoms and female condoms (Femidoms) are the only contraceptives that will protect you from STIs AND pregnancy.
• Other contraceptives will only protect against unwanted pregnancies.

How do I use a condom or Femidom?

It is important to use condoms or Femidoms correctly otherwise they might not work.

This diagram and video show you how to use a condom.

Information about how to use a Femidom is here or you can see a video here.

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is a way of preventing a pregnancy if:

• You have unprotected sex.
• The condom or Femidom split or came off/out during sex.
• You forgot to take your contraceptive pill.

What are the types of emergency contraception?

• The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (or ‘morning after pill’) – there are two pills availaible, one which must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex and the other within 120 hours (5 days). The five day pill is not as easily accessible, so it might not be available  in your area. This means that the sooner you contact the clinic after unprotected sex the better. You can get emergency contraception from your GP, a sexual health clinic (many of which also have young people’s clinics) or a Brook centre. You can also buy it at a pharmacy as long as you are over 16.

• The Emergency IUD – this can be used up to five days after unprotected sex and is a T shaped piece of plastic and copper which is placed into your uterus. It stops sperm from fertilising an egg, or stops a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb. You will need to go to your GP, a sexual health clinic (many of which also have young people’s clinics) or a Brook centre.

Does emergency contraception protect me against STIs?

No. It can only try to stop pregnancy. If you have had unprotected sex or a condom or Femidom has failed, you should think about having a sexual health screen. 

If you have a question or you are unsure about anything then ask a Talksafe Counsellor or Peer Mentor.

Last review: 06/06/11 - Next review: 06/06/13