Contraception

Some people believe there are methods for preventing pregnancy without using contraception; you may hear about these methods from both male and female friends. Some people may even claim they've tried them out. Don't believe them. You can get pregnant:

• the first time you have sex
• if you hardly ever have sex
• from any close genital contact between a man and a woman
• if you have sex during your period
• without having an orgasm (coming)
• if the boy withdraws (pulls his penis out before he comes)
• if you have sex in any position, including standing up
• if you douche (wash inside) afterwards.

How to avoid pregnancy

Only using a reliable form of contraception, as advised by your GP, or a doctor at a Sexual Health Clinic or another health worker, e.g. an adviser at Bodyzone, will provide any useful protection against pregnancy

Crucial: Even with contraception, accidents can happen. The only absolutely foolproof way to prevent pregnancy is to not have sex at all.

Get clued up about contraception

It is important to learn about contraception well before you start having sex.

All methods have advantages and disadvantages. Your GP or Contraception & Sexual Health (C&SH) Clinic can help you decide which is best for you.

Condoms are widely available and very effective when used properly. But they offer slightly lower protection than hormonal methods, such the coil or pill. If you use condoms as your main contraception, you need to know how to get emergency contraception, in case the condom splits or falls off.

Contraceptive pills use hormones to stop ovulation and are 99% effective if you remember to take them every day. They must be prescribed by your GP or C&SH clinic. There may be side effects, and some types of pill are unsuitable for women with certain health issues.

Long-acting reversible contraception methods (LARC) are very discreet and reliable. They use hormones to stop ovulation. There are different choices, including implants, injections and coils. There may be side effects, and some methos may be unsuitable for younger women, or women with certain health issues. These are prescribed and fitted by your GP or C&SH clinic.

How to get contraception

You can get free, confidential advice about contraception at any age. If you need contraception, and are aware of the issues involved, there should be no problem sorting it out. Here’s how:

1. Visit your GP (Doctor), Contraception & Sexual Health clinic, or Bodyzone for free, confidential advice. Don’t be embarrassed – most people need contraception, and doctors get asked about it all the time.
2. They will ask questions to make sure you understand what is being said. Depending on your age and situation, they may ask if you would like to consult your parents or partner. You can say no.
3. Ask about the pros and cons of each method of contraception, including potential side effects.
4. When you've decided, make sure you know how to use the contraception properly, how to renew your contraception, and what to do if your contraception fails.

Crucial: Sometimes contraception can cause bad side effects. If you have problems, go back to your GP or C&SH clinic and ask for a different sort of contraception.

The Safety Card

If you’re aged under 18? Then you can sign up to Oxfordshire's Safety Card scheme to get free condoms, alongside advice and information about sexual health and relationships.

You can sign up to the Safety Card scheme at Early Intervention Centres, Young People's Centres and other youth and health projects across Oxfordshire. Follow this link to find your nearest venue:

More about the Safety Card

When to use emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (also called the ‘morning after pill’ (or EHC) can be taken up to 72 hours after you have had sex. If your main contraception has failed (e.g. a condom coming off, or splitting) you should get emergency contraception.

• Pharmacists in Oxfordshire which provide FREE emergency contraception for young people under 18 (PDF)

My experience: ‘I thought it wouldn’t happen to me’

I got pregnant at 15 and had my child at 16. Although I knew about the risks of unprotected sex, I thought that we would be safe. It was something that happened to other people who had sex all the time, not people like me. We had only done it a few times and I was going to get contraception. I love being a mum but if I am honest I wish that I had waited until I was older. Sometimes it is really hard and tiring especially when I don’t feel my best and my daughter gets ill.’ – Young mum, 16, Oxford