CONTRACEPTION
If you are looking for a safe method
of contraception, come and discuss it
with us. Here are some of the most popular methods used by young people.
Remember to always use a condom to protect your health and prevent the
spread of sexually transmitted infections.
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Condoms
This is the only form of contraception
that can protect you from
pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted infections.
There are 2 types of condoms, male and female. The male
condom is worn over the penis and the female condom goes inside the
vagina.
Condoms are a good method of contraception providing they
are used properly, so it is important to be familiar with them before
you actually
need to rely on one.
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Follow these easy steps and you should have
no problems.
1. Tear packet carefully and take out condom
2. Put it on as soon as penis is hard
3. Squeeze closed end of condom between finger and thumb
4. Make sure the roll is on the outside – if not it’s inside
out
5. Put condom over end of penis
6. Roll condom down using other hand
7. Have fun!
8. Soon after ejaculation withdraw penis, holding condom in place
9. Take off condom, wrap in tissue and put in bin
10. If condom bursts, leaks or comes off and there is a risk of pregnancy
– get emergency contraception within 3 days from CY, GP or sexual
health clinic.
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There are a variety of different condoms available
and it is important to find out which condom suits you.
Condoms can be obtained FREE from nurses or youth
workers at CY.
Emergency contraception
Don’t forget if your condom splits, comes off or you haven’t
used one, the earlier you get emergency contraception the
better but you have 72 hours to take it.
The pill
The pill has to be taken every day at around the same time.
You take a pill every day for 21 days and then you have 7 days without
taking a pill, during this time you will have your period.
After 7 days without taking your pill you start your next packet.
You will get to know exactly when your period is due.
If taken correctly the pill is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
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If you miss any pills you may need to take emergency
contraception.
You can always ring CY for advice if you are worried.
Antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of the
pill, so you need to make sure you use condoms for the time you are taking
antibiotics and for 7 days afterwards. If you forget to use a condom,
or your condom splits you will need emergency contraception.
If you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting you may need emergency
contraception if you haven’t used a condom.
The injection (Depo Provera)
This injection is given every 11-12 weeks
to protect against pregnancy.
You may not have regular periods whilst using this method and sometimes
your periods may stop all together.
This is a good method for young women who find it difficult
to remember to take a pill everyday.
Some young women find that they put a small amount of
weight on with the injection, but this doesn’t happen to everyone.
Don’t forget that you will still need to use a
condom to protect your health.
If you are interested in this method call in and discuss
it with one of our nurses or doctors.
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The Implant
This is a small flexible tube, which is
placed just under the skin of the upper arm. It releases a small amount
of hormone continuously into the blood stream. The implant can stay
in place for up to 3years. Periods can become irregular and may even
stop.
At the moment we do not fit implants at CY, but if you
give us a ring
we can discuss this method with you and tell you where the nearest
clinic is that would fit the implant.
Don’t forget to always use a condom to protect your
health.
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy testing
Free pregnancy testing is available at CY.
If you are late for a period, or your period has been lighter or shorter
than usual and you are worried you might be pregnant, call in to see
us.
You will be asked to give a sample of urine, this will be tested and
the results given straight away to you.
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Positive pregnancy test
If your test is positive, this means you
are pregnant and you have 3 options to consider:
1. Go ahead with pregnancy and keep your baby.
2. Go ahead with pregnancy and have the baby adopted.
3. Decide to end the pregnancy and have an abortion.
These can be difficult decisions to make. The staff at CY (nurses, doctors
and youth workers) will provide you with all the information you will
need to help you reach the decision that is best for you.}
Pregnancy and keeping baby
If you decide to go ahead with the pregnancy,
you need to
make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible to
start receiving ante -natal care.
You need to start taking good care of yourself, by making sure
you eat well - your doctor or midwife can advise you about this.
Alcohol is bad for your baby whilst it is developing, so be careful.
No alcohol at all is best for your baby.
Smoking can also harm your baby - mothers who smoke may have babies of
low birth weight. Babies born to smokers are more likely to need medical
care in their early days, and go on to develop chest infections and glue
ear.
Cutting down on smoking doesn’t work
………Stopping completely is the only way.
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Adoption
It is possible to go ahead with your
pregnancy and have the baby adopted.
If this is something you think you might consider,
you should discuss this with your midwife at the antenatal clinic.
Abortion
If you feel you aren’t able to go ahead
with the pregnancy,
the doctors at CY are able to refer you to Stepping Hill Hospital
for an abortion. Abortion through the NHS is free.
At present in Stockport surgical abortions are carried out between
the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy. If you are more than 12 weeks
pregnant still come and see one of our doctors who may be able to
make a referral to another agency.
Even if you are under 16 you can give consent to have an abortion,
we would encourage you to talk to a parent about your decision,
but our service is confidential and it is up to you who you tell.
See Confidentiality for more information.
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI's)
Always use condoms and protect yourself from
getting sexually transmitted infections. It is possible to get an STI
from having vaginal, anal or even oral sex without a condom.
General Symptoms
You may not always get any symptoms from
an STI, but some of the symptoms to watch out for include:
· An unusual vaginal discharge
· Bleeding after sex
· Bleeding between periods
· Stomach or pelvic pain
· Discharge from the penis
· Swollen or painful testicles (or both)
· Peeing a lot or burning feeling when you go for a pee
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Chlamydia
This is one the most common STI’s.
Approximately 75% of women and 50% of men have no symptoms of this infection.
If left untreated chlamydia can have serious long- term effects on fertility
for both men and women. Women also run the risk if they get pregnant
of having an ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia can be easily treated with
a course of antibiotics.
Genital Warts
Warts are spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Having sex or genital contact with someone who has warts puts you at
risk of developing them too. If left untreated, it can cause serious
complications. Some types of the wart virus that develop on the cervix
may lead to cervical cancer. Routine smears are offered to all women
over the age of 20 every 3 years, so that any changes to the cervix
can be seen early. Warts can be treated easily at the GUM clinic.
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Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea can lead to infection of the
urethra, cervix, rectum and throat. It is usually spread through vaginal
or anal sex without a condom. Many infected people have no symptoms.
It can have serious long-term effects on the fertility of both men and
women. Gonorrhoea is easily treated with antibiotics.
Herpes
This is a viral infection that affects both
sexes. It can infect the genital and anal areas, but it can also appear
on the mouth as a cold sore.
Kissing an infected person can spread herpes. Genital herpes is spread
by vaginal, anal or oral sex. The virus can be spread from the mouth
to the genitals during oral sex. Herpes can also be spread, by transferring
the virus on fingers from the mouth to the genitals.
It is thought that about half the people who have a herpes outbreak,
never have another one. Anti-viral drugs and creams can be used to reduce
symptoms and further outbreaks.
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HIV/AIDS
HIV
In the UK people are being infected every year. The rate of infection
amongst heterosexual men and women is rising.
It can be passed on:
· By having vaginal or anal sex without a condom with someone
who has HIV
· By using needles, syringes or other drug-injecting equipment
that is infected with HIV
· From a woman with HIV to her baby during pregnancy or through
breastfeeding
There is no cure for the virus itself or for AIDS.
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Syphilis
The number of men and women being
infected by syphilis is on the increase. Syphilis is a complicated infection,
with various symptoms at different stages of the infection.
It can be spread by vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom. Syphilis
is passed on by direct contact with syphilis sores.
If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious complications.
Syphilis can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
Protect yourself and your partner
Always use a CONDOM!
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