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Frequently Asked Questions on Contraception |
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What is contraception? |
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Contraception, commonly known as birth control, is used to prevent a pregnancy when a man and woman have sexual intercourse. The method chosen is a personal decision and a shared responsibility between partners. Before starting a sexual relationship, have an open, honest conversation with your partner about contraception and how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. |
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| Which is the best type and most effective contraception/birth control? |
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Abstinence (no sexual contact between partners) is 100% effective in preventing an unplanned pregnancy. If you have chosen to be sexually active and do not wish to become pregnant, there is a wide range of choices .... some are easier to use than others and each differ in how well they work. Birth control methods work very well to prevent pregnancy provided that they are used correctly and consistently. Remember, even with a reliable contraceptive method, it is recommended to always use a condom to protect yourself against a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Twenty-five percent (25%) of young women who have intercourse without using a method of birth control will become pregnant within one month. "It can happen to you" so choose and use a method that you're comfortable with and one that you can depend upon. |
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| Where can I get contraceptives? |
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Some birth control methods like condoms and spermicides can be purchased at a drugstore. Condoms may also be free at some health clinics. For other contraceptive methods, a visit to your doctor or sexual health clinic will be necessary. This confidential visit provides you with an opportunity to discuss birth control options to make the choice of what will work best for you. You will also be able to discuss your relationship and how to avoid getting a sexually transmitted infection. |
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| Should only females be concerned with birth control? |
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No, males are equally responsible for the prevention of unplanned pregnancies and STIs. Males can become involved in several ways by:
- accompanying their partner when she visits the doctor
- discussing and understanding the different contraceptive options with their partner
- helping to pay for contraceptives, and
- making sure the contraceptive method is used consistently.
Males are directly involved in using a condom and should learn how to use condoms correctly. For example, the air needs to be squeezed out of the tip of the condom to leave enough space to hold the semen. |
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| Which methods are most frequently used by teens? |
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The birth control pill, condoms and Depo-provera (an injection/shot given every 3 months) are most frequently used by sexually active teens because they are accessible and easier to use than other methods. |
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| Do I always need to use a birth control method? |
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To prevent pregnancy, it is important to use birth control correctly, everytime you have sex. And remember it takes two - a contraceptive, like the pill, to protect against pregnancy and a condom to protect against an STI. A condom does help to protect against an unplanned pregnancy and while it's more effective than some birth control methods, like withdrawal or a diaphragm, it is not as effective or reliable as the birth control pill. Using both a condom and a contraceptive such as the birth control pill is your best bet in preventing STIs and pregnancy. |
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| Can women get pregnant during their period? |
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Yes, there is a chance if a women has unprotected sex during her period that she might become pregnant. Women have been known to ovulate (release of an egg or ovum) at any time during their monthly cycle, including during their period, although this is unusual. |
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| Can I become pregnant the first time I have intercourse? |
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Yes, you can. And sex doesn't have to be full intercourse to get pregnant. Close genital contact without penetration could put you at risk of an unplanned pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection. Remember, some STIs may not have symptoms. Your health is important. If you are having any kind of sexual contact including oral sex, you owe it to yourself to have an STI check-up. For women, it is also very important to have a routine Pap test. |
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| I've already had intercourse without using a birth control method. How come I haven't become pregnant? |
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It is possible not to become pregnant following unprotected sex but there are no guarantees. You probably had sex during the "infertile" part of your cycle. If you want to prevent a pregnancy, you and your partner need to use birth control every time you have sex. If you have had unprotected sex, please see a doctor or visit a public health clinic right away for the "morning-after-pill" - it is very effective in preventing an unplanned pregnancy. You may also need to be tested for STIs. |
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| Is birth control complicated to use? |
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No. The pill should be taken every day at the same time; associate it with something you do every day at the same time i.e. eat lunch. Some methods, such as Depo-Provera, require an appointment once every 3 months for an injection, while the condom is needed with each act of intercourse. Natural methods (rhythm method or withdrawal method) are usually more complicated and therefore less appropriate for teens or people in short-term relationships and are not as effective as other birth control methods. Both the pill and the condom birth control methods are relatively easy to use. |
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| Will I gain weight when using a hormonal birth control method like the pill or Depo-provera? |
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A small amount of weight gain can be one of the possible side effects of the pill or Depo-provera. Not everyone experiences weight gain; if they do it is minimal. If weight gain is a concern, discuss it with your doctor. |
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| If I am using birth control now, will I be able to become pregnant later on once I stop using a contraceptive? |
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Yes, it is possible to become pregnant as soon as you stop using birth control. With the pill or Depo-provera, it may take time for your normal menstrual cycle to return. With barrier methods, such as the male and female condoms, you can get pregnant right away if you stop using them. |
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| When should one use the emergency contraception pill (or morning-after-pill)? |
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Emergency contraceptive pills can be used to prevent pregnancy if your birth control method has failed to work properly, wasn't used correctly or after unprotected sex. It is most effective if taken within 72 hours, but may be prescribed up to 5 days. The emergency contraceptive pill does not in any way replace consistent birth control use. |
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| Does the pill protect against STIs? |
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No. The birth control pill, like most of the other contraceptive methods, prevents unplanned pregnancies but does not protect against STI. A sexually active person should always use a condom during sexual contact (vaginal intercourse, oral sex and anal intercourse) to reduce the chances of getting an STI.
A truly monogamous relationship between two uninfected partners (in which you only have sex with each other and no one else) can prevent STIs. But remember, some STIs show no symptoms. Have a complete sexual health check-up, including getting tested for STIs, before discontinuing condom use with your monogamous partner. |
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| What is "safer sex"? |
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If you are sexually active, consider doing other things with your partner, like kissing, mutual pleasuring, self pleasuring, touching or hugging, instead of having intercourse.
For oral sexual activities, anal or vaginal intercourse, a condom should be used to reduce the chance of catching a sexually transmitted infection.
To protect your sexual health, click here to find the answer to: How can I have sex more safely?
For more information:
Visit your local health care clinic, talk to your doctor, parents or partner and for more online information visit the sites below.
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