What should I do if I had sex and didn’t use protection?

Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away in the moment and forget to use protection. If you’ve had unprotected sex and you’re worried about pregnancy or STIs, there are a few things you can do.

To reduce your chances of getting pregnant, take the emergency contraception pill (ECP) as soon as possible but within five days of having sex. You can get the ECP from a doctor, nurse or chemist/pharmacy. If it’s too late to take the ECP, there are other options your doctor or nurse can talk to you about. See them as soon as possible to discuss these  options.

If you’re worried that you might be pregnant, your doctor or sexual health nurse can give you a pregnancy test. If you find out you’re pregnant, they’ll be able to discuss your options with you. Remember that anything you discuss with a doctor or nurse is confidential and will not be shared with your parents, caregivers or school without your permission.

What should I do if I think I might be pregnant?

If it’s less than five days since you had unprotected sex, you may be able to take the emergency contraception pill (ECP) to reduce your chances of getting pregnant. You can get the ECP from a doctor, nurse or from a chemist or pharmacy.

If it’s too late to take the ECP, there are other options your doctor or nurse can talk to you about. Talk to them as soon as possible to discuss these options. If you find out you are pregnant, they’ll be able to discuss your options with you and help you make decisions.

Remember that anything you discuss with a doctor or nurse is confidential and will not be shared with your parents, caregivers or school without your permission. To find a GP (doctor) clinic or sexual health clinic near you, click here

Can I get contraception if I am under 16 without telling my parents?

Yes. We would always encourage you to discuss contraception with your parents; however the doctor or nurse is able to provide you with contraception advice and options.

Can you still get pregnant if the girl is on top?

YES you can definitely become pregnant.

Is it ok to miss out the sugar pills so that I don’t get my period?

YES, it’s perfectly ok to skip the sugar pills and keep taking the hormone pills consecutively. Lots of people do this if they don’t want to have a period. You can do it as a one-off or for 3 months in a row and then take the sugar pills so you have a period. It’s also ok to do it for longer.

However, some people will have breakthrough bleeding when they skip the sugar pills which can be a nuisance as you don’t know when it’s going to happen. For more information, talk to your doctor or sexual health nurse.

Can I still get pregnant if I go to the toilet straight after sex?

YES you can definitely become pregnant.

Can I get pregnant if I have unprotected sex just before or just after my period?

Yes, although the risk of getting pregnant differs throughout the menstrual cycle. For a regular 28-day cycle the best chance of getting pregnant is usually between day 7 to day 17 of your cycle. However most young woman do not know when they are ovulating so this is NOT a safe way of stopping pregnancy.

Can I get pregnant the first time I have sexual intercourse?

YES! You are most likely to get pregnant in your late teens and early 20s.

How many times can I take Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)?

There is no limit to the number of times you can safely use ECP. However if you are having sex or thinking about having sex, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or nurse about the best form of contraception for you.

How do I get my partner to use a condom?

Talking about contraception can be awkward and usually only happens in the heat of the moment! If you think you’re going to be having sex it’s a good idea to be prepared. Have some condoms and lube with you and think about what you’re going to say before it’s too late.

Using a condom with lube shows that you respect yourself and your partner enough to keep each other safe. If someone pressures you into having sex without a condom, think about whether they are really worth it. If they won’t use a condom with you, how many other partners have they had unprotected sex with? Does this person really care about you and care about keeping you safe?

Have some fun by trying out different types of condoms, such as ultra-thin, flavoured, or ribbed condoms.

Some ways you can talk about condoms are:

•    Do you have a condom or should I get one of mine?
•    If you don’t want to use a condom, there are lots of other fun things we can do that keep us safe.
•    If your partner says it ruins their pleasure, tell them it increases your pleasure because you aren’t worried about the consequences.

To find out more about condoms, click here

What should I do if I missed my pill?

Different pills have different rules so if you’ve missed your pill it’s really important you check with your doctor or nurse or a pharmacist as soon as possible.

Why do condoms break or slip?

If the condom is put on incorrectly or if there is not enough lubrication, there is an increased chance of the condom breaking or slipping.

For more information about condoms, click here.

What should I do if the condom broke during sex?

A broken or torn condom can put you or your partner at risk of getting pregnant and catching (or passing on) a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

If you or your partner are not on any other forms of contraception you should speak to a doctor or nurse who can advise you what options you have. You could also speak to someone at the chemist about the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP). It’s important that you speak to someone as soon as possible.

You should also get tested for STIs if you’ve had vaginal, oral or anal sex and the condom broke. Getting tested will help you know for sure if you have an STI, even if you don’t see any symptoms. STIs can take some time to show up, so wait 3 weeks before you get checked but if you get any symptoms, go see a doctor or nurse as soon as possible.