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| Other
FAQs |
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When
is the safest time to have unprotected
sex?
If you want to avoid getting pregnant
the answer is never!
Certain times of the month are
more high risk of pregnancy than
others, however it is possible
to get pregnant at any time, even
during or just before a period.
The most likely time for the body
to release an egg (ovulation)
is around 14 days before the start
of your period. This is often
very hard to predict especially
if you have an irregular cycle.
Things such as stress, diet and
exercise can all alter the timing
of your period and therefore the
timing of ovulation. It is also
possible for sperm to live inside
your body for up to 7 days after
you have sex. So you could have
sex at the beginning of your cycle
and the sperm still be alive 7
days later waiting for your body
to release an egg. See the section
on emergency contraception.
Can
you get pregnant before you start
having periods?
Yes. Ovulation (when the body
releases an egg) happens before
your period starts so you ovulate
before your first ever period.
If unprotected sex happens around
this time it would be possible
to become pregnant before ever
having a period. See the section
on emergency contraception.
Is
it possible to get pregnant the
first time you have sex?
Yes. If contraception is not used
or it fails then it is possible
to get pregnant the first time.
See the section on emergency contraception.
Are
there any sexual positions that
can reduce the likely hood of
becoming pregnant if you have
unprotected sex?
No. Pregnancy is possible whatever
position you use. See the section
on emergency contraception.
If
a man puts his penis inside you
but doesn't come inside you is
it possible to become pregnant?
Yes. Sperm can leak from the penis
before a man is anywhere near
coming and it would be impossible
for him to reallise this.
Is it possible
to get pregnant without having
sex?
Yes. If sperm come into contact
with a woman's genital area (near
her vagina) either by a man ejaculating
(coming near her vagina) or touching
her vagina with sperm on fingers
or anything else e.g. sex toys,
it is possible for sperm to find
it's way to the inside of her
vagina and swim up to the fallopian
tubes.
My
period is late, am I pregnant?
Pregnancy is not the only reason
why a period can be late. Your
period can be delayed due to stress,
quite often stress about worrying
about being pregnant! However
if you have put yourself at risk
or are just worried it is important
that you find out for sure as
soon as possible. Pregnancy tests
can be carried out 2 weeks after
an episode of unprotected sex
or when your period is late (See
Pregnancy
Testing section).
Will
the pill make me fat?
The pill may increase your appetite
slightly and unless you watch
what you eat you may put on a
little weight. Studies suggest
that any weight gain should be
minimal.
Teenage women naturally gain weight
as they reach their 20s. This
is the body's method of storing
fat for future pregnancy. As this
is often the time that women start
the pill they may associate that
natural weight gain with the pill.
Weight gain may also occur when
women change from being at school
where they are active to having
a job or studying which may make
them less active.
Remember, any weight gain due
to the pill will never
be as much as the weight gained
due to pregnancy.
What
are the symptoms of a sexually
transmitted infection?
Symptoms can be -
- Increase or unusual vaginal
discharge or discharge from
the penis.
- Smelly discharge.
- Itchy genitals.
- Ulcers or sores around the
genitals.
- Genital warts.
- Pain or discomfort while
passing urine.
- Bleeding after sex or in
between periods.
- Pain on sexual intercourse.
- Lower abdominal pain.
- No symptoms.
Many sexually transmitted infections
have very mild or no symptoms.
Some infections such as gonorrhoea
or chlamydia may continue to cause
damage even with no symptoms.
They can lead to infertility or
long term pelvic pain.
Chlamydia has become very common
recently with around 1 in 10 young,
sexually active people infected.
Most people have no symptoms of
chlamydia. However, once found
it is very easy to treat with
antibiotics.
The most important thing is finding
out you have it. If you have had
unprotected sex with a partner
then it is possible you may have
picked up an infection.
If you have any symptoms it is
important that you attend a genitourinary
clinic (G.U.M, Special / VD clinic)
as soon as possible for advice
and treatment. If you have no
symptoms it is still important
to be screened. HIV infection
may show no symptoms for many
years.
Ask staff at Caledonia Youth for
details of your nearest clinic.
Although you may feel very embarrassed
about attending a clinic, staff
there are very experienced and
will not be shocked by what you
tell them.
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