Pregnancy / STI
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What's the risk if...
Could I be pregnant?
If I am pregnant, what are my options?
STIs and HIV
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Emergency Contraception
What's the risk if...
hello i was just wondering...can a girl get pregnant if she is on her period, wearing a pad, underwear, and pants, and if the guy may have cumed a lil drop of semen on her pants, like on the exterior. is there a chance that the sperm can make it through the jeans, pass the underwear, and the pad and still be able to go into the vagina and get a girl pregnant. i have heard that the sperm dies when it becomes in touch with the air, and that it cannot pass all those layers of clothing, and the pad and then be able to go into my vagina. is the only way to get pregnant to have sex? like...is it possible to get pregnant if the cum lands on the exterior of the pants... thank you for answering my question,
Pregnancy is a very common concern for young women. The risk of a pregnancy occurring in this situation is nil. It is impossible for sperm to travel through all those layers of clothing plus a menstrual pad and then make its way all the way up through the vagina to find a fertile egg.
Unprotected vaginal intercourse is the sexual activity that comes with the greatest risk of pregnancy. There is a slight possibility, however, that one could become pregnant without having vaginal intercourse if semen is left near the entrance of the vagina. It is best to use a barrier like condoms to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies and STI/HIV infections whenever genitals come into contact. If you are going to be sexually active, you may want to visit your local Youth Clinic to find out more about how to take care of your health.
To answer your final question, sperm does not die immediately when exposed to air. However, its lifetime outside of the body is quite limited: sperm die as the semen it is in dries up.
i would just like to know if its possible for a girl to get pregnant without actually losing her virginity. as in the guys cum/precum has been near that area, though his penis hasnt actually gone into her virgina, and she hasn't lost her virginity yet.
The most likely way for a pregnancy to occur is when semen – and the sperm it carries - is left inside the vagina. It is much less likely that sperm left near the entrance of the vagina will be able to swim up the vaginal canal, through the cervix, and then find an egg to fertilize. However, it is not impossible. This means it is possible to become pregnant even if you have not yet had vaginal intercourse but have engaged in heavy petting. It is best to use a condom whenever genitals come into contact to reduce the risk of an unintended pregnancy or STI/HIV infection.
If you have sex and if the guy pulls out before he squirts his sperm out and the guy is not wearing a condom but the guy pulls out 1 minute before it comes out, is there any risk? please answer back please answer quick.
This is a very common question. Unfortunately, the answer is that if a guy pulls out of the vagina before he "cums" there is still a chance of pregnancy. This is because there is sperm in the precum - the fluid that comes out of the penis before the guy ejaculates or "squirts". There is also a chance of spreading STIs if one of the partners is infected. This is because even though he's "pulling out" before he ejaculates, there are other fluids being exchanged between partners (i.e. pre-cum and vaginal fluids). Also, "pulling out" doesn't protect you from those STIs that are spread by skin-to-skin contact, such as genital warts and herpes. If you recently had sex without a condom and used the "pulling out" method, it is important that you go to a doctor or to a clinic.
Is it safe to drink semen?
It is relatively safe to drink semen (there is nothing bad in the semen alone). However, in terms of getting STIs or HIV, you need to be careful. If your partner has an STI, it is possible to transmit these through having his semen in your mouth. This can happen if semen is transmitted into your body through any small cuts in the mouth. For example, experts advise against flossing teeth before oral sex because it can create small holes which can allow fluids (such as semen and vaginal fluids) to enter the body. It is also possible to get STIs like herpes and genital warts through oral sex. If you know for sure that your partner does not have an STI (and the only way to know for sure is through a medical test), then it is safe to drink his semen. However, to be safe, it is a good idea to practice safer sex by having him wear a condom when giving oral sex.
Is it bad to cum in a girl's ear?
As far as we know, it is not harmful to cum in an ear. But before you do this you should make sure you are not carrying an STI or HIV which could potentially get into your partner's bloodstream through their ear. It's also possible that the semen could attract bacteria if the ear isn't cleaned properly and cause an infection. You want to talk with your partner first, to make sure that he/she wants you to cum in their ear. Don't assume it's something you can do without having their consent.
Could I be pregnant?
i have had sex with my bf for 3 times only..first time on dec10 2nd on dec16 n the third on jan2. it bled a little after the first time..then on about the 27th i think i had my menstrual period..but it was abnormal...because it was sorta brownish n thick! so im not sure if thats an early symptom of pregnancy! after our first time i began to eat a lot! i feel like im always hungry (which is rare because im very skinny). im not sure if its coz im pregnant however, all 3 times my bf used a condom n pulled out before he ejaculateddoes that reduce the chance of pregnancy? does having sex make me more mature n thus eat more? anxiously waiting for your answer n i appreciated ur great class presentation!
It’s great to see that you are aware of your body and have been using condoms! It is very unlikely that you became pregnant through the situation you described. Condoms reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy by ensuring that the semen does not enter the vagina. Removing the penis before ejaculation would further reduce the likelihood of semen accidentally getting into the vagina.
If there were direct contact with your vulva/vagina and your partner’s penis without a condom before or after intercourse, it is possible that a pregnancy to occurred. Keep in mind that there is something called pre-ejaculate that comes to the tip of the penis when the man is first aroused. Pre-ejaculate can carry sperm, STIs, and HIV.
It’s hard for us to say why you are feeling hungrier since having your first sexual intercourse. Many things, including growth spurts and emotions, can affect your appetite. You may have felt hungrier because you were stressed out, because it was the holidays and there was more food around, or because your body is still growing and changing.
We are also not able to say why your period was different than usual. Many young women experience changes in their menstrual cycle. These changes can be a result of many different things like their body getting used to new hormones and even stress.
You may find it useful to know that many young people experience new stresses when they decide to become sexually active. These may be related to their relationship, values and beliefs around sexuality, and fears of possible pregnancies and STI/HIV infection. A great way to reduce some of these fears is to know the risks that go along with being sexually active and take steps to reduce them such as condoms, birth control, and regular STI tests. You can get all of this and more at your local Youth Clinic, including a pregnancy test if you are still feeling worried.
As for your final question, being sexually active does not automatically make a person more physically, emotionally, or socially mature. There are many people who have sex before they are ready or do not take steps to take care of their health. Being mature is more about knowing yourself and being able to make decisions that are in your best interest. This includes being responsible for your sexual health.
how do you tell if you're gonna get pregnant. do you know right away, or do you know if you skip a period. i'm just wondering. thanks.
There is a risk of pregnancy anytime you engage in unprotected vaginal intercourse or a man ejaculates near the entrance of the vagina. Most women don’t know they are pregnant until they miss their period as early symptoms of pregnancy take a few weeks to show up.
You can use a home pregnancy test after your first missed period or a month after the date you suspect a pregnancy may have occurred. If it’s negative, you should take the test again a week later to make sure it wasn’t a false negative. The most reliable pregnancy tests are the ones done in a medical clinic.
If you are concerned that you may be pregnant, it’s a good idea to go to a Youth Clinic or Planned Parenthood Clinics (Options for Sexual Health in BC) right away. It’s possible to take the Emergency Contraceptive Pill to prevent a pregnancy if the incident you are concern about happened within the past 72 hours. If it’s been more than 72 hours, they can help you figure out when to come back for a test and discuss options for reducing the risks of pregnancy and STI/HIV.
i would like to know if you can get pregnant the week after your mentral cycle??? .......or what are the chances???? thank You...
There is always a risk of pregnancy when having unprotected vaginal intercourse or even if a man ejaculates close to the entrance of the vagina. The level of this risk changes over the course of the menstrual cycle. Pregnancy is most likely to occur around the time of ovulation, which takes place about two weeks after the first day of the last period. However, ovulation can be irregular for a number of reasons. If you are sexually active and want to reduce the risks of an unintended pregnancy, it is best to use birth control and condoms.
Hello! I've read some of your Q&As and although many of the questions are similar to mine, I still don't feel like it's been fully answered. I had "dry sex" with a guy, except I was only in my underwear and he was stark naked. While he didn't ejaculate, I know there are the risks of pre-cum in terms of pregnancy. Should I take the morning after pill just in case? Or is that over exaggerating it all? Thank you!:)
It’s great to hear that you know about pre-ejaculate and that it carries enough sperm to cause a pregnancy (it can also transmit HIV and STIs). Pre-ejaculate is released in very small quantities as natural lubricant. It is highly unlikely that there would be enough fluid in pre-ejaculate to soak through your underwear and then for the sperm to find its way inside your vagina to a fertile egg.
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) is a “back-up” plan to prevent pregnancies when accidents happen. It is made up of a very strong dose of hormones that causes menstruation to start right away, flushing out the uterus. It also has some strong side effects. As it is highly unlikely that a pregnancy could result from the scenario you described, it is unlikely that a doctor would prescribe ECP.
This may be a good time to visit your local Youth Clinic so you can minimize similar worries in the future. The staff there can help you find out more about birth control and STI/HIV prevention.
I wanted to ask how long would the symptons/signs of pregnancy start occuring after having sex? Thank you.
It sounds like you may be worried that you or someone you know is possibly pregnant. This can be a scary experience. Is there someone who can provide you or your friend with emotional support? Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) is a great way to get anonymous support.
It takes a while for the body’s systems to transition between their regular and pregnancy mode, and for hormone levels to build up enough to cause noticeable changes. The first signs of pregnancy – such as tender breasts, nausea, and moodiness - can begin about 7 to 10 days after conception. Many women do not know they are pregnant until they miss their first period.
If you are concerned that you may be pregnant, it is best to visit your doctor, local Youth Clinic, or Options for Sexual Health Clinic (formerly Planned Parenthood Association of BC) as soon as possible. This way you’ll have as many options as possible. If it has been less than 72 hours since the possible pregnancy occurred, it is possible to use the Emergency Contraceptive Pill to flush out the uterus. While there, you can also discuss ways of preventing unintended pregnancies, STIs, and HIV in the future.
At what week can you start to notice if you are pregnant? If you miss your period once does it mean you're pregnant?
There are many signs that may mean you are pregnant: missed periods, swollen breasts, nausea, having to urinate more than normal, etc. Missed periods can also be caused by other factors such as stress. Also, it's very common to have irregular menstrual cycles for the first few years after your first period. If you think you may be pregnant, you should visit your local Youth Clinic or family doctor to confirm this. They will be able to tell through a blood or urine test if you are, indeed, pregnant. If you are pregnant, there are many resources in the community to help you decide what to do. Planned Parenthood is one such resource; they offer information on the options - including abortion - available to women who are pregnant. You can also visit your local Youth Clinic for more information.
i have a question... that i usually worry about. i had an incident when i was young and didnt start my period yet...like at all. so now that i'm olde i know a bit more about everything. the thing is that I gave head and i dont remember if the guy cummed in my mouth and if i swallowed it. so now i'm always worried that if the cum is still in my system, could i get pregnant? even though that was quite a long time ago, istill worry when my period is a bit late.
please reply as soon as you can. thank you.
Hi. Lots of girls and guys wonder about this question. If a guy ejaculates into a girl's mouth, she can't get pregnant. Your stomach (where stuff you swallow goes) is not connected at all to your uterus, or your fallopion tubes, where an egg can meet a sperm. It sounds like you have a lot of really good questions, and a nurse or doctor at a free, confidential youth clinic can probably clear a lot of things up for you!
What are some signs of pregnancy?
Signs of pregnancy are nausea, throwing up, tender and swollen breasts, missing one's period or have a very light period,and/or gaining weight. If you think you might be pregnant it's important to visit your doctor or youth clinic.
I need help....A friend of mine were fooling around last nite when i decided to give him a hand job. We were both fully clothed and all but im curious if there is any way I could get pregnant. He didn't cum I never got that far....but i heard about pre-cum. Also how long can a sperm last outside the body...reason i ask this is because i want to know if I was to touch myself by accident or whatever if i can get pregnant. PLEASE HELP ME i'm going crazy....thanks:)
Pre-cum can contain some sperm, but if you were both fully clothed and did not touch his penis and then your vagina, it is impossible that you could get pregnant. Sperm needs a warm, moist area to survive, such as the inside of a vagina, and it cannot live on clothing. However, you sound really concerned, so it's might be a good idea to see your doctor or a doctor or nurse at a youth clinic to ask some questions about safer sex and to get checked out for sure. Remember, youth clinics are free and confidential and very friendly.
Is it possible to get pregnant from dry sex or per say if I had no clothes on but he did but he didn't ejaculate in my vagina but I still felt something close? Thank You.
This is a good safer sex question! If a guy cums near your vagina without a barrier like a condom, there is a slim possibility that his sperm could swim inside you and - if there was an egg ready to be fertilized - get you pregnant. Anytime a penis is near a vagina, it's a good idea to use a condom to prevent pregnancy and STIs. Also, keep in mind that some STIs such as herpes are passed through skin-to-skin and not body fluids.
ok i need to know the exact statistics it is when a guy is just rubbing his penis on a girls vagina and there is pre-cum involved. how much of a chance is there that i might be pregnent??
It's near impossible to give exact statistics when it comes to estimating the risk of pregnancy. It depends on a number of things like where you are in your menstrual cycle (i.e., is there an egg available to be fertilized?), how much semen is present, where the semen is deposited, etc. The one thing we can tell you is that anytime pre-cum or semen come into contact with a vulva, there is a chance that you could get pregnant. Now, if the pre-cum only came into contact with the outside of your vulva, the chances of a pregnancy are low to moderate; Just imagine how difficult it is for the sperm to find their way up your vagina, through your cervix, and then find a fertile egg. It is much more likely that you or your partner could contract a STD, if one of you were infected. It is best to use a condom whenever genitals come into contact.
Can you get pregnant through oral sex?
No, you cannot get pregnant through oral sex. This is because the sperm is not able to get into the woman's reproductive organs - the vagina, fallopian tubes and uterus. If a couple has oral sex, and the female gives oral sex to the male, the semen can go in the mouth and if swallowed, into her stomach. However, there is the potential for STIs to be spread...so it's a good idea to use a condom or other barrier for oral sex.
Me and my bf kind of got a little bit sexual. He put his penis in my vagina but the thing is he only went back and forth for four times. But tells me he didn't come. I just want to know if I would feel if he did. Also would he. Could I actually get pregnant this way? Because he said that sometimes guy have a little of sperm around their penis even though they don't cum??
If your boyfriend put his penis in your vagina, you wouldn't necessarily feel it if he ejaculated (came). You might and you might not. He, however, probably would feel it if he came - because he would have had an orgasm and it would have felt good. It is true that you can get pregnant if he had his penis in your vagina but didn't cum. This is because there is sperm in the pre-cum, the fluid that comes out of the penis before the cum. If you have unprotected sex or if your birth control method fails you can use the morning-after pill, also called the emergency contraceptive pill. You should take it as soon as possible after intercourse and no later than 72 hours after. You can get the morning after pill at youth clinics and from some doctors.
CAN I GET PREGNANT IF PRE CUM OR CUM SPILLED ON THE VULVA?
There is a possibility - although slim - that you could get pregnant if semen came into contact with the outside of your vulva. Sperm are made to swim long and far in their efforts to fertilize an egg. However, the chances of sperm finding their way inside your vagina and through your cervix to find a fertile egg is very low. That said, it is wise to practice safer sex even if there is no penetration; condoms prevent pregnancy and STIs transmitted by body fluids and skin-to-skin contact.
Hi I was wondering a few things, let's say you had sexual intercourse * with a condom* but you did other things too.. if you spotted for your period that month would that still be considered getting your period or no? and if you Are pregnant.. do you miss one period or all of them?
It sounds like you may be wondering if you're pregnant, which can be a scary thing. The best way to put your worries to rest is to get a pregnancy test done. That way you have a definite answer and, whether it's a yes or a no, you can make informed decisions about what to do next. You can get a pregnancy test done at your doctor's, local Youth Clinic, or at a Planned Parenthood clinic (now called OPT).
It's great to hear that you use condoms during intercourse! Condoms are a great way to protect yourself from pregnancy, HIV, and STIs. It's best to put the condom on before your genitals come into contact with your partners. This is because there's a bit of pre-cum at the tip of the penis as soon as a guy gets aroused; pre-cum can contain both sperm and STIs/HIV. This is also a great way to reduce of risk of being infected with STIs transmitted through skin contact (genital warts and herpes). Keep in mind that STIs can also be transmitted through oral and anal sex.
Finally, you asked about periods during pregnancy. Some women do continue to have light periods or spotting during their pregnancy, particularly during the first few months.
i have a question if if you have anal sex and the man ejacultes inside of the girl, is there any chance that she can get pregnet at all? thank you reply as soon as possible
We're happy you asked this question because anal sex has become a lot more common among youth within the past few years. Many teens think that anal sex is a good way to be intimate with their partner while avoiding pregnancy and keeping the girl's hymen intact so that her virginity is "preserved". While anal sex does provide pleasure and does reduce the chances of pregnancy (it would be near impossible for sperm to swim from the rectum or anus to the vaginal opening and then up to the cervix and uterus eventually to find a fertile egg), it is still having sex. Whether vaginal, anal, or oral, it's important to remember that along with sex comes with the risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV. It's best to use a condom for all types of sex that involve sexual body fluids or direct contact with genital skin. And, when it comes to anal sex, using a water-based lubricant will both make things more pleasurable and safer for both partners.
is it possible for a girl to get pregnant, if she has sex with a guy who's not wearing a condom, but he doesn't cum?
This is a great question! Many people wrongly believe that pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation - the scientific word for cum - will prevent pregnancy. However, this is not a safe way to prevent unwanted pregnancies or STis. First of all, it can be really difficult for the guy to pull out before reaching orgasm because it feels good. Then, there is also sperm on the tip of the penis before the guy ejaculates. When a guy gets aroused, his penis produces a natural lubrication called pre-ejaculate or "pre-cum." Although there isn't as much sperm in pre-cum as there is in ejaculate, it is still enough to cause a pregnancy (it only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg). If someone is infected with a STI, it's possible to catch the STI through their pre-cum and skin-to-skin contact. It's best to use a condom whenever there's contact between your genitals and someone else's, both to prevent pregnancy and STIs.
Can you get pregnant when you are having your period? My boyfriend and I had intercourse on the second day of my cycle is there any chance that I could get pregnant by this if it was unprotected?
The simple answer to your question is yes, you always have the chance of getting pregnant when you have unprotected sex. Most women ovulate about fourteen days after their periods. However, for young women, menstrual cycles are usually not regular, so it's hard to predict when you will ovulate (meaning an egg comes out of the ovaries, and when you are most at risk for pregnancy). Also, not using protection during sex also means that you are at risk of contracting an STI from your partner. Using a condom, and going to get tested for STIs are great ways to reduce the risk of getting pregnant, and prevent STI infection. This way, both you and your partner can enjoy consensual sex more, without worrying as much!
How long do you have to wait until you can take a pregnency test to find out if you are pregnant?
Usually, you should wait until your period is a week late to take a pregnancy test. The reason for this is that when a woman is pregnant, her body begins to produce a hormone called HCG. If a woman takes a pregnancy test before this time, her body may not have produced enough HCG to give accurate results. You can get urine test kits at drug stores, or a more accurate blood test with a doctor at a youth clinic.
Can you get pregnant while on your menstrual cycle. It was the 2nd to last day of my cycle
Thanks for your question! A lot of people wonder about this and many others follow information that is not entirely correct. The quick answer is that it is possible to get pregnancy even when menstruating (the official word for having your period).
As you may know, pregnancy happens when a sperm finds and fertilizes a ripe ovum (egg). For the most part, women's bodies follow a 28 day cycle, with ovulation (when the egg is released from the ovary) happening on about the 14-day. Knowing this, one could easily think that you can only get pregnant around the 14 day after the start of your last period.
However, bodies aren't perfect machines. Sometimes, a woman's ovaries may release more than one egg at a time or may ovulate at irregular intervals. This could mean that even though you have your period, there is a ripe egg in your fallopian tubes. It's also important to be aware that sperm can live for up to 48 hours once inside a woman's body.
If you are worried about being pregnant, you can visit your local Youth Clinic to get some advice about your options. If it has been less than 72 hours since you had unprotected sex, it may be possible for you to take the Emergency Contraceptive Pill. This will start your period and flush out your uterus to prevent a pregnancy.
While there, you can also discuss safer sex options with the staff. Keep in mind that pregnancy isn't the only possible consequence that comes along with being sexually active. There are also STIs and HIV. If you are going to be sexually active, it's important to know what the possible risks are and look at ways of reducing them. This is also a great conversation to have with your partner.
i have a very important question to ask and i really need someones advice. im 16 years old and i havent gotten my period at all yet and me and my boyfriend of 2 years have sex often if he cums inside of me is it possible to get pregnant even though i have not started the menstrual cycle please respond asap!!1 thanks
It's best to err on the side of caution when it comes to preventing unintended pregnancies and STI/HIV infections. Keep in mind that each menstrual cycle starts approximately 28 days before your period starts. Ovulation (when a fertile egg is released from one of the ovaries) happens about 14 days into the menstrual cycle. This means that it is possible to get pregnant before your first period.
You may find a visit to your local Youth Clinic useful. They can help you and your boyfriend investigate birth control and STI/HIV prevention methods that meet your needs.
I am 16 yrz old,i think i might be pregnant...if i go to a clinic do i have to give them my personal info?n do i have to get my parents involved...i come from a muslim family,so my parents don't even want me talking to guys,they would never understand me being pregnant...so can i just go to the clinic without them?i'm located in montreal,n i really dont want to give any info about myself at the clinic either,can i do that?
This sounds like a very stressful experience. There are a lot of emotions that go along with the possibility of an unintended pregnancy. Having someone to talk about your emotions and what you want to do can make things a lot easier. It sounds like you don't feel comfortable approaching your parents for support. Is there someone you trust who can support you through this experience? You can also call Kid's Help Phone (1-888-668-6868) for free, confidential, and anonymous support from a professional counsellor.
The first step is to figure out if you are pregnant. The most accurate pregnancy tests are the ones done at health clinics. It is best to know as soon as possible whether you are pregnant, as you'll have more options for dealing with the pregnancy. There are three basic options for dealing with a pregnancy: carry the pregnancy to term and keep it, carry the pregnancy to term and give the baby up for adoption, or have an abortion. In Quebec, you can get an abortion without the consent of your parents from the age of 14 if a hospitalization longer than 12 hours is not required.
You should be able to get counseling and more information about all of these options at the clinic. While at the clinic, you may also want to investigate options for preventing pregnancies, HIV, and STIs in the future.
The Youth Clinics listed on our website are for BC's Lower Mainland, where we are located. We do not know what health services are available for youth in Montreal. You should be able to figure this out by contacting a local youth centre, sexual/reproductive health organization (try: http://www.fqpn.qc.ca/), or community health clinic (CLSC).
To address your concerns around confidentiality, you may want to first talk with the doctor or a nurse about their rules around confidentiality and when they would break confidentiality. Once you know this, you can either decide to ask for a pregnancy test or to find another doctor who you feel more comfortable with. You may also want to ensure that they provide information and referrals for all the above options including abortion. The decision should be based on what you want to do; the staff should not pressure you to make one decision over another.
If I am pregnant, what are my options?
I am very scared. On June 4th I had sex with my boyfriend. I guess. See, he was a virgin and he only put it in about 4 times (could have only took about one minute if that), then he jumped backed and came about 20 seconds later. But I had actual unprotected sex and no pulling out or anything, on June 6th with a friend. Now I am six months pregnant and believe it's by the friend because of the length of time of sex and the rushing of body fluids I felt afterwards. While I had nothing with my boyfriend. Is the baby likely to be by the friend?
This sounds like a difficult situation to be in. Unintended pregnancies tend to come with a lot of different emotions. This is undoubtedly amplified by not knowing which of these men is the father, as well as the possible challenges to your relationships with both men that may come along with being open and honest about the situation. Is there a trusted adult or a counsellor who can help you figure out how best to take care of your emotional health and to address this situation?
It’s impossible for us to say who is the father of your child as both situations could have resulted in a pregnancy. The penis releases a fluid called pre-ejaculate when aroused that acts as lubrication. This fluid contains enough sperm to cause a pregnancy (it also can cause STIs and HIV). Your doctor should be able to determine who the father is through tests. However, this requires that the men are aware that the paternity of the child is unknown and are then willing to cooperate.
Is it true that if you had an abortion you can't have babies?
No, this is not true. If you have an abortion performed by a doctor, it will not affect your ability to have children in the future (unless of course, there are complications, but this is very, very rare).
My friend thinks she is pregnant and she wants to visit the youth clinic. Does she need parent/guardian signature to get pills / surgery for abortion?
Teens are able to have an abortion without their parents' knowledge or permission. They are able to provide consent for medical procedures so long as the doctor or nurse believes they are able to make informed decisions about their health. Youth Clinics are great places to go for all sorts of health issues...And they do not release information to their clients' parents. Youth's visits are always confidential...And clients can even use a pseudonym if they doesn't want anyone to know who they are!
Your friend can get a pregnancy test at your local Youth Clinic. If she is pregnant, the staff at the Youth Clinic will be able to help her explore her options and arrange an abortion if that's what she wants. And, if she's not pregnant, the staff can help her figure out the best options for birth control and STI prevention.
Can you get an abortion without your parents knowing?
Yes. You can find out more about abortions by visiting your local Youth Clinic or Planned Parenthood Clinic. You don't need to bring your parents to either of these locations but seeking support from someone you care about is important.
hey i know what an abortion is but how do they do it? like how do they kill the baby inside of you? where can you get them done in Richmond? please let me know asap because i haven't gotten my period in 39 days and i think i might be pregnant.
It can be scary to think you may be pregnant. The only way to know, for sure, is to take a Pregnancy Test. There are tests you can do at home. However, you may find it more useful to have one done at your doctor's or a Youth Clinic. The tests they use are more reliable and you'll have access to medical experts who can help you get the information you need to make decisions about your body and health. The Youth Clinic in Richmond is located in the Richmond Hospital. You can call them at 604-233-3150.
If you're considering an abortion, the sooner you know you're pregnant, the better, as the procedure is easier during the earlier stages of pregnancy. Abortion is a medical or surgical procedure that ends a pregnancy. Abortions are done in different ways depending on how long the woman has been pregnant.
The most common methods of Surgical abortions are called manual vacuum aspiration (mva), dilation and suction curettage (D&C), and dilation and evacuation (D&E). MVA use a manual syringe to gently suction out the uterus. It's can be done up to 10 weeks into the pregnancy. D&C uses a machine-operated vacuum to empty the uterus. As well a curette may be used to clean the walls of the uterus. D&E is a two-part procedure and is used in later stage pregnancies. First the cervix is opened. Then the procedure is completed with the use of the medical instruments, suction, and curettage. The nurses at the Youth Clinic will be able to give you more information about these procedures.
It's normal to experience a whole range of emotions when you think you may be pregnant and are deciding what to do. You may find it useful to ask a friend you trust to come with you to the Youth Clinic.
Isn't abortion illegal? If not, where and how can I get it? Furthermore, what is the cost both monetarily and socially? I heard that it is bad for the health of the woman's side, is that true?
A lot of youth are confused about what's right and wrong, good or bad, healthy or unhealthy about abortion. With so many messages about abortion coming at us (i.e. political parties, religious communities, and "pro-life" and "pro-choice" commercials), how do we know what's fact and what's fiction or opinion?
Abortion, a medical or surgical procedure used to terminate a pregnancy, is completely legal here is Canada. That said, whether or not it's "okay" to have an abortion is a personal choice based on each person's values, beliefs, and life circumstances.
In making a decision about any medical and/or surgical procedures, you want to consider the risk to your physical and emotional health. If done by a good doctor and earlier in the pregnancy, there is less risk that your body will be harmed by an abortion. At the same time, there is research that shows women who have had one or more abortions have a greater risk of not being able to get pregnant when they do want to have a baby.
This is often a very emotional and difficult decision; it is not uncommon to feel very uncertain about what to do. You may want both to keep the pregnancy and to terminate it. Both choices have pros and cons. You should be able to access counseling to help you decide what's the best decision for you. Ask your doctor or Planned Parenthood office about this. You may want to discuss the possible emotional, physical, economic outcomes of your various options.
The first step to arranging an abortion is a visit to your local doctor, Youth Clinic, or Planned Parenthood Clinic to have a pregnancy test. Once you have confirmed that you are pregnant, the doctor and/or nurses at the clinic should be available to discuss what you want to do about the pregnancy and what resources exist in your community. If the medical staff are not willing to discuss abortion with you, call your local Planned Parenthood office or visit another health clinic in your area. They will be able to help you access these resources.
STIs and HIV
would my bf have HIV because when he pee it burns and he got spots all over his body and he got loss of apitate these days would these be symthoms of aids or std or something else
It’s good to see that you are aware of these changes in your partner and are looking for answers. These are important steps in taking care of your health.
It sounds like your partner is having a number of symptoms that warrant a visit to his doctor or a health clinic. They have the knowledge and necessary tests to figure out what is causing these symptoms. The only way to know for sure whether someone is infected with HIV – the virus that causes AIDS – is to get tested.
Burning urination is not a symptom of HIV but can be a symptom of other STIs and urinary tract infections. His other symptoms may be caused by any number of things, even excessive stress. It is best to figure out what’s going on as early as possible so it can be addressed.
The best way to prevent the transmission of HIV and other STIs is to avoid sexually activities. Consistent condom use during all forms of sexual activities will help to reduce the risks of HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancy. Regular STI and HIV screening is also an important part of taking care of your sexual health.
what are genital warts? can you see them? and what do you do if you have them? how do you get them? are they contaigus?
Genital warts are a type of Sexually Transmitted Infection. This means that they are a type of infection that can move from one person to another during sexual contact (oral, vaginal, and anal). One of the people involved has to already be infected with an STI for this to happen.
Genital warts are caused by a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are many different types of HPV that create warts on different parts of the body. Genital warts can grow on the penis, anus, and both inside and outside the vagina. They can look like cauliflower or little hard spots. Some types of HPV can cause changes to the cervix that can lead to cancer.
A doctor or nurse can tell if you have genital warts during a physical exam. They can also check on the health of your cervix through a PAP test. If you are worried that you may have genital warts, it’s important that you visit your doctor as soon as possible. This way, you’ll know for sure and be able to better take care of your health and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to other people.
Is it possible to get STI or HIV disease from having too much sex with one person? or from masturbation? or anal sex?
There are many different kinds of sexually transmitted infections: some are caused by viruses, others by bacteria, and others yet by small parasites (e.g., pubic lice). The thing that is common between HIV and all of the different STIs is that they all are spread from an infected person to an uninfected person.
If one a person is infected and engages in unprotected sexual activities with another person (whether that’s anal, oral, or vaginal sex) there is a chance that the second person will also become infected through body fluids or genital skin contact. Each time these two people had unprotected sexual contact, there would be a risk of the uninfected person becoming infected. So, the chances of becoming infected with HIV or an STI do increase if you have lots of unprotected sex with someone who is already infected.
It is best to always use a condom to reduce the risks of STIs and HIV. Keep in mind that the only way to know for certain if you or someone else is infected with HIV or an STI is to have a medical test.
Masturbation only involves one person so there are no possibilities for exchanging body fluids or contacting someone else’s genital skin. This means that there is no way to introduce HIV or STIs to your body through masturbating. However, if you touched your body after immediately touching the genitals or body fluids of someone who was infected with HIV or an STI, you could possibly become infected.
I have had breakouts around my pubic area. Could this be a form of STIs? I am sexually active.
By breakout, do you mean a rash or sore? If so, then yes, it is very important for you to see a doctor or go to a clinic. It's best that you get checked out as soon as possible. That way you'll know if it's an STI or not. And you can get treatment for whatever it is.
What are herpes?? And is there a cure that can prevent them? What happens when you get them?
Herpes is an STI that causes sores on and around the genitals. People who have herpes can experience an "outbreak": tingling, itching, and painful sores on or near the genitals. Herpes is a virus, therefore, once it is in the body it cannot be cured. However, people who have herpes don't always have outbreaks. Herpes outbreaks, like other illnesses, usually happen when we are under stress or are not taking care of ourselves. Herpes is also most contagious just before an outbreak. So if a person has herpes it's important to get to know their body, and when they think they might be having an outbreak. Cold sores are from the same family of viruses as genital herpes. It is important not to have oral sex if you have a cold sore. If you think you have herpes, or want more information, it would be best to see a doctor, or go to a youth clinic.
Where do STIs come from? Can two people who don't have STIs get STIs from each other's germs?
We do not know where all STIs come from originally. It's kind of like cold and other illnesses. What we do know is that some STIs are caused by bacteria and others by viruses. Keep looking in the current FAQs because we'll do research and if we find anything new we'll include it there. You can only get an STI if you have sex (intercourse or oral sex in some cases) with someone who is infected. However, in many cases there are no visible symptoms, so we never know for sure if our partner is infected. If you choose to have sex, it's important for both people to have a check up at the doctors and get tested regularly for STIs.
When I had my first herpes outbreak I got the "flu-like" symptoms. How long will those last? It's been about a week and I still feel like I have body aches.
The length of a herpes outbreak varies for each individual. You are best to visit a doctor to receive proper information about your symptoms.
If a girl has genital herpes can she still have babies?
Yes, if a girl has genital herpes she can still get pregnant. However, it is important to see a doctor, because it is possible to give the herpes to the baby. Herpes is a virus that can cause outbreaks (sores and blisters in the penis/vagina area or the mouth). And if the woman who is pregnant has an outbreak during childbirth, it can affect the health of the baby. So PLEASE see a doctor if you have herpes and are pregnant.
Is it possible to get a disease or anything else through anal sex?
It is very unlikely to get pregnant from anal sex (putting a penis in the anus) because the sperm would have to move from the anus to the vagina. However, it is possible to get sexually transmitted infections and HIV through anal sex. These infections are spread when one partner has an infection and has unprotected sex with another person. Some of these are spread through fluids (such as semen) and others are spread through skin-to-skin contact. It is not always possible to tell if someone has an STI. It is important to wear a condom and use lubricant when having anal or vaginal intercourse. With a condom and lubricant, anal sex is safer and more enjoyable.
What is it when you have like pimples around the head of the penis? Is that herpes?
Having pimples around the head of the penis is not necessarily an STI, like herpes or genital warts. It could just be pimples. If they look like blisters or sores, you may feel better by seeing a doctor.
After living in Thailand for 8 months with my Thai girlfriend, x girlfriend now, I have returned home to Australia. Reason being that I found her to be unfaithful towards me. I have been back for 3 months now and have noticed just recently that I get tingeing sensations throughout my testicles, which occurs almost every day. I also tend to get mouth ulcers more often. Another worry is that sometimes it feels like there is a discharge from my penis but really feels like a leek of urine. Do I have anything to worry about with these symptoms? Are there symptoms??? If you have some advice, I would be very grateful :) .
You've experienced noticeable changes in your body and it would be best for you to see a doctor, just to make sure. A doctor at a free and confidential youth clinic would be more able to tell you what kind of tests you need. Many STIs are curable, but the faster you see a doctor, the better.
hi i was just wondering, what are crabs? cuz i here its something that is down in the vigina area, but i dont understand what they are!?! and how do u get crabs?
"Crabs" is slang for pubic lice. Pubic lice are tiny insects that live in the pubic hair and eat human blood. The bites of the lice lead to itching and discomfort in the pubic area, caused by an allergic reaction. Most people experience this itching within 5 days of infection. It is most common to get pubic lice any through sexual contact that involves the genitals of one person touching those of another, even if you do not have intercourse. Condoms are not able to protect people from pubic lice. However, it is very easy to treat pubic lice with special shampoos and soaps that kill the insects.
hi giving a guy a blowjob do u get any diseses in ur mouth???
Great question! Many people think that oral sex comes with no risks. However, this isn't true! In fact, the BC Centre for Disease Control has recently issued a Blow Job Alert because of the rise in syphillis cases. You can get STIs such as syphillis, chlamydia, gonnorhea, genital warts, and herpes through oral sex. For example, if you have herpes around your mouth and are giving oral sex to someone, they can get herpes on their genitals. Or, if they have chlamydia, you can get an infection in your throat. It's important to use a barrier when giving oral sex; you can cover the penis with a condom and the vagina with a dental dam (a square of latex).
I have a couple of questions I was hoping could get answered.
The first one was that I've heard of STDs and STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). Is this just 2 different names for the same thing, or are they different? Also, does HIV?AIDS fit into one of these categories, or is it in a category of its own? Also do you have to wait a certain amount of time since the last time that you had sex before getting tested? Does it take a certain amount of time for any of the above to appear, like should you wait a certain amount of time so that when you get tested you're sure that if you had something it would have appeared by that time? I'm not sure if that made sense or not, but if you could get back to me via email with answers, that would be great.
STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) - and even VD (venereal disease) - all refer to the same set of illnesses. These illnesses are caused by different viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The thing they have in common is that the primary way they move from one person to another is through sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse as well as genital contact). This includes Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, genital warts (HPV), pubic lice, trichomoniasis. HIV is often included in or closely associated with this category of diseases because its main route of transmission is through sexual intercourse. It is, however, also transmitted through blood and breast-milk.
The reason the word used to describe this set of illnesses keeps changing is the extra meaning that people have attached to them and how that affects their health behaviours! In most cultures and religions, sexuality carries a significant emotional charge which is most often negative. Illnesses that are passed between people through sexual contact get painted with the same brush so these illnesses and people who become infected are stigmatized by others. Many people wrongly see STIs and HIV as a "punishment" for being a "bad person" or having done something "bad". This leaves people with a lot of fear of being labeled and rejected if they have an STI. So, they may choose to deny that they could catch an STI, avoid being tested, and avoid talking about. This makes it very hard for the medical community to help keep our communities healthy. Thus, they try to find ways of taking the stigma off of these illnesses - to take off the judgment and the fear - so people are better able to take care of their sexual health.
In terms of getting tested for STIs and HIV, each one has its own test and window period (the time between the initial infection and when it's built up enough copies of itself to cause symptoms or elicit a strong response from your immune system). Some tests involve looking for the germ itself while others look for anti-bodies your body has produced in response to the germ. HIV tests, for example, involve two stages of lab tests. The first they look for anti-bodies, and those samples that test positive for anti-bodies are sent for a more expensive test that looks for HIV 's genetic material. It takes a while, however, for your body's immune system to catch on that there's a foreign invader (HIV), create an anti-body, and make enough anti-bodies to show up on a test.
If you've had unprotected sexual contact, there's always a chance that you may have been exposed to HIV or an STI. The best thing to do is go visit your local youth clinic, Planned Parenthood clinic, or your doctor to get more information about the risks, what tests can be now and when you should come back for more tests, and how to prevent future infections.
I know that STIs can be transmitted by body fluid. But does short french kissing bring the danger of getting STIs? Thank you very much!
All germs have favorite places in our bodies to infect and favorite ways of moving between people. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (also known as Sexually Transmitted Infections) are germs that are passed between people through sexual contact. Most STDs are caught through genital contact, either through the genital skin or body fluids like semen (and pre-cum) and vaginal lubricant, although they can also be transmitted through oral sex. HIV can also be transmitted through blood and breastmilk (only from mother to baby).
French kissing alone generally does NOT involve any of these fluids or the genital skin. So the chances of catching a STI germ through kissing would be close to nil. That said, there are other germs that like the mouth and saliva - like mono, cold sores (a type of herpes), and colds and the flu - which can be transmitted through kissing. So, if you're worried about getting sick, it's best not to kiss someone when they have a cold sore or are run down with a cold or the flu.
i made a mistake by sleeping with someone who i dont know but we were wearing a condom what's my chances of contracting hiv ? i am freaking out here ,i feel awful about it.
Part of being human is sometimes making decisions that we later live to regret. There's nothing we can do about the past except to learn from it so we can avoid similar mistakes in the future. It's good to see that you know that there are risks that come along with sex and used a condom to reduce those risks. As you've also discovered, there are also emotional risks that come along with sexual decisions. You may want to make some decisions on your personal "policies" about what you need in a relationship before having sex with someone in the future.
We can't give you an exact amount of risk for HIV infection in this situation as it depends on many things. We will share something called the Transmission Equation with you. It tells us what things must be present in order for there to a possibility of being infected with HIV. If you take out one of these factors, you take out the chance of being infected with HIV.
First, someone involved in the activity must be living with HIV (the only way to know this is through an HIV test). Second, one of the fluids that can transmit HIV must be present (semen, pre-semen, vaginal fluid, blood, or breast milk). Third, there must be a way for HIV to get into the body (for example, receptor cells in the vagina, anus, and penis). And finally, there must be a way to move the body fluids between people (for example, unprotected sex).
By using a condom, you removed the opportunity for these body fluids to move between you and your partner. The best way to put your mind at ease is to have an HIV test. You'll need to wait about 3 months, and not expose yourself to other risks, before you will get an accurate result. This because of something called the "Window Period." You can do this at your local Youth Clinic.
You may want to stop by a Youth Clinic for a visit now so you can learn more about how to take care of your sexual health and be tested for other STDS. There are other kinds of STDs that can transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. These include genital warts and herpes. It's a good idea to get tested for STDs regularly when you're sexually active to help take care of your health. You can learn more about HIV/AIDS by visiting YouthCo AIDS Society's website: www.youthco.org.
is it possible to get cold sores,, but not get herpes. another way of asking,, i got cold sores from giving blow job,, does this mean that i have herpes now?
Your sores may have been caused by many things, including Herpes. The best way to figure out if you have Herpes is to visit your local doctor or Youth Clinic for test. In the meantime, I'll give you some generally information about Herpes.
Herpes is the commonly used name for two viruses: Herpes Simplex-1 and Herpes Simplex-2 caused by viruses. In the past, people thought that Simplex-1 caused sores or blisters only in the mouth area, while Simplex-2 caused similar sores and blisters around genitals and rectal area (bum). We now know that both viruses can affect all of these areas. Both of these viruses are passed through skin-to-skin contact. For example, contact between the genitals and/or rectal area, the mouth and the genitals and/or rectal area, and two mouths. There is no cure for Herpes. Once you have it, it is with you for life and you have to figure out how to deal with the virus. People who are infected with the Herpes virus don't always have outbreaks of sores. Usually, the sores appear when the person's body is run down because they are stressed out or tired.
When you get tested for the Herpes virus, it would be good to ask your doctor or nurse for more information about Herpes and how to take care of your health and that of your partner. Even if your sores aren't caused by Herpes, it would be good to know how to prevent an infection in the future.
hiya ...i am a queer women who is currently in a relationship with a women. i have genital warts and i was wondering what are the safest methods of sex? Can HPV be transmitted by fingers? i know there is a "low-transmission" rate in oral sex, but how low is low? i currently do not have warts on my genitals, so does that change anything? i definatly do not want to pass on this virus to my partner but everywhere i look it says ...HPV carriers should avoid intercourse ... yikes! we are currently avoiding vagina to vagina contact... is that the best?
thanks for your time ! and by the way ... how come there is almost no queer content on site? don't get me wrong, it's a pretty fabulous resource ...keep it up!
Wow! It's obvious that you care a lot about your partner; it's shows through your commitment to figuring out how to keep both of you healthy! An important step to enjoying your sex life is that both you and your partner understand HPV and know how to take care of your health. This is a great opportunity to have an open talk about what you both feel comfortable doing given the risks associated with HPV and how you can work together to take care of your health.
HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and is very common among young people. In fact, in the US, it's estimated that 1 out every 3 sexually active people under 25 carries the virus. Not all of these people have visible, active warts that they can see and self-diagnose. However, it's possible to transmit the virus even if there is not a visible wart. This means that it's important that both you and your partner visit your local Youth Clinic or doctor for regular testing and to get the most up-to-date information on how to best take care of your health.
HPV moves from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact or mucous membrane contact with someone who carries the virus during oral, vaginal, or manual sex. While condoms, gloves, and dental dams can reduce the chances of contracting or transmitting HPV, safer sex practices and tools do not completely eliminate the risk. Avoiding all genital contact with your partner is the absolute best form of protection. This, however, isn't very practical! The next best option is to avoid genital skin contact as much as possible by using barriers during sex - gloves for manual sex, dental dams for oral sex - and not sharing sex toys. Remember if the barrier has touched one person's genitals, it is not safe to use on the other person's. If this is still more risk than you or partner want to take, there's still lots of things you can do like kissing, snuggling, dry humping. Be creative!
Thanks for your feedback on our website! You may be interested in the second addition of the Daily Planetahead which focuses on homophobia.
What is mono? Is it a STI?
Thanks for asking this very relevant question! Mono tends to affect teens and young adults more frequently than any other age group. In fact, it is estimated that 50% of students will have had Mono before they reach university age.
Mono (mononucleosis) is caused by a kind of germ called a "virus." There are many different kinds of germs such as bacteria, virus, and fungus. Another example of a virus is the common cold. Doctors can't do much to kill viruses. Instead, they try to treat the symptoms while the illness runs its course.
Mono has been linked to the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), although there are other viruses that produce mono-like symptoms. Mono is quite common and is not spread as easily as the common cold. The EBV is found in the saliva and mucous, and can be passed between people through activities such as kissing.
Mono is a relatively mild illness; it usually runs it course quickly (like, within 1 to 2 months) and rarely produces serious complications. The virus which causes Mono stay in the cells in your throat for your life-time but is not active (this is referred to as "dormant" or "latent").
The most common symptoms of Mono include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, and groin. Some people may experience puffy eyelids, sensitivity of the eyes to light, a rash similar to measles or jaundice, and a swollen spleen or liver.
In order to know if you have Mono, you need to visit a doctor for a blood test. The medical lab will test your blood by counting your White Blood Cells and looking for the Mono antibody. The test is not able to tell if you have Mono until you have had Mono symptoms for at least 5 days. The test only tells you that you have Mono, it does not tell you how severe the infection is or how long it will take for you to recover. If you do have Mono, the doctor will treat your symptoms.
Birth Control
How much does 1 package of Birth control cost? If u take the birth control well on your period will the bleeding stop that day so you can have sex that night? Thank you for your time and attention if u can answer any of these questions it would be soo helpful. thanx
You can get birth control from your doctor or the Options for Sexual Health Clinic The. You can find out more information about the clinics here: http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org. Options sells birth control to their clients at a reduced price: $12/month for pills, $35/shot of Depo Provera, and $22/month for the Evra patch. Keep in mind that birth control does not reduce the risk of STIs or HIV so it is wise to also use condoms.
Your period will not stop if you begin the pill during menstruation. The pill works by releasing hormones into your body that trick your ovaries into not releasing ova (eggs). Birth control pills are not instantly effective: it is recommended that you continue to use condoms for the first month to give the hormones time to become fully effective. Once you start the pill, you need to keep the hormone levels up in order for it to be effective. This means you must take your pill daily. You can find out more about how birth control works and the different ways you can take it when you visit the Options Clinic.
ive been on the pill for 2 months now and the 2nd month mark just ended and im SUPPOSE to have my period but its been 3 days since i last took the pill (i started on sunday, its now tuesday). i was wondering if this is happens -- missing a period -- or if pregnancy might actually be a possibility? ive actually been pretty good at taking the pills every day. the latest ive ever been taking it would be 4 hours late but i took it on time the next day. other than that. i wouldnt be able to think of any other reasons for my missed period and its really starting to worry me. im visiting the clinic on friday to pick up my next batch of birth control, should i ask for a pregnancy test as well? so a quick reply would be ease my mind before i visit the clinic great.
It’s great that you’re being pro-active and looking for more information about what to expect when taking the Pill. Getting informed is an important part of taking care of yourself. It may be useful to put together a list of questions about the Pill: how it works, its effectiveness, how it affects the menstrual cycle, etc. and take this with you to the clinic.
If you have been taking your Pills as prescribed and used a barrier method for the first month, it is unlikely that you are pregnant. The Pill includes 21 days of hormone pills and 7 days of hormone-free or no pills. It is during this 7-day break that your period will come. It won’t necessarily start the day after your last hormone pill. Once you’ve been on the Pill for a while, you’ll likely notice a pattern in your menstrual cycle if you keep track of when your period starts each month. This will help you stay on top of what’s normal for your body.
Also, keep in mind that there are lots of things that can affect a woman’s cycle. For example, stress can cause menstruation to start earlier or later than expected.
If you’re still feeling worried about being pregnant, it’s a good idea to ask the staff at the clinic about pregnancy tests. A pregnancy test is the most accurate way to know whether you are pregnant. Keep in mind that the Pill only prevents pregnancies. It does not reduce the risk of STIs and/or HIV. It’s a good idea to use a condom and to get tested regularly for STIs/HIV.
hey..i was wondering if the pill is just as effective if not taken at the same time daily...
It’s great to see that you are researching how the Pill works! This makes it easier to do your best to ensure that the Pill does its job.
Birth control pills use hormones to trick your body into not releasing an egg each month. There needs to be a certain level of these hormones in your system to make this happen. After you take your daily pill, these hormones are at their highest levels. The levels get lower and lower until you take your next daily pill. Taking your pills on a daily basis ensures that the hormones stay high enough to prevent pregnancy.
While the pill works most effectively if taken every 24 hours, the daily hormone dose is designed with human err in mind. This means that your pill should still work if you are a few hours or even a day off (make sure you follow your doctor’s directions for dealing with these types of mistakes).
Some women find it too hard to remember to take a pill every day, even if it’s at a regular time. It’s now possible to get hormone-based birth control in a patch that is changed weekly. You may want to ask your doctor or local Youth Clinic about this option.
Keep in mind that birth control only prevents pregnancy; it offers no protection against STIs or HIV. For this reason, it’s best to use condoms even if you are on the pill or patch unless you and your partner have been tested and are 100% monogamous.
Do you need a prescription to get the birth control pill?
Yes, a doctor needs to make a prescription for you to get the pill. You don't need to pay for it if you can not afford it; you should be able to get it for free at Youth Clinics around the Lower Mainland.
This site is pretty cool, it's great that you guys have it cause no one talks to their parents about it. I'm 16 and I've been on the pill for about 6 months now. I started taking them about a month after i turned sixteen. I was and am still worried about side effects of taking them so young, but i don't want to risk the chance of pregnancy with my boyfriend of over a year. I get them free from the Richmond clinic, which is great. I read in a magazine that girls who started taking the pills around 16 or younger are 9 times more likely to have pain down there while having sex. It said that taking the pill at such a young age can cause the vaginal skin to grow thinner and weaker and have irritation while intercourse. I've been noticing this lately on myself, and I'm becoming worried. Is this just a myth? In any case, i won't stop taking the pill, but i just need some reassurance. Also, i would like to know if there are any other types of side effects that someone my age can experience permanently from taking the pill. (not including breast growth, weight gain etc)
Thank you for your time and reading this super long question!
Wow! It great to see that you've been taking an active role in taking care of your health! Research is a great way to understand how our bodies and the medications we use work. There's a lot of information out there and it's not always easy to know whether the "science" behind studies is good. It's also hard to know if information reported in magazines is accurate - after all, the person who wrote the article may not understand the science behind the study. If you want to know the latest information about birth control pills, it's best to visit a medical professional, such as the ones at the youth clinic where you get your pills.
That said, the pill is considered a safe and reliable form of birth control for teens and adults. When taking the pill, it's important that the prescribing medical professional know about your sexual history and does a complete physical to make sure that the pill works well with your body. If you are concerned about side effects you may be experiencing, you should discuss this with your medical professional. Using some lubricant such as O'My may help to reduce the irritation you're experiencing while having sex.
Thanks for the compliments on our website!
If birth control is the best way not to get pregnant, why use a condom?
Birth control pills are one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy. However, only a condom protects you from STDs that could be transmitted by having vaginal or anal sex. To be the safest, use both the birth control pill and a condom.
If you can get condoms for free from a youth clinic or counciler can you get birth control pills free? And does the Pill stop your period from coming?
"The Pill" refers to many different types of pills taken by women that contain hormones that prevent pregnancy. These hormones make your body think that it is pregnant so that doesn't release an egg each month. Many women find that being on the Pill makes their menstrual cycle very regular and predictable. Most pills are set up around a 28-day cycle and will include either a week of no pills or sugar pills. During this week, you will still have your period. The only time you wouldn't have a period is if you skipped over these 7 days and started the next set of pills.
You can only get the Pill from medical professionals - not school counselors - as they need to make sure that it's safe for you to use, that you know how to uses them properly, and that you know the side-effects. Youth Clinics provide Pills free of charge in the Lower Mainland. Keep in mind that the pill doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections and HIV. So you should still use a condom!
I would like to have sex with my boyfriend (we are both virgins) and I'm thinking about going on the pill. Do I have to go to a doctor to get it? Is it advisable to talk to a doctor before going on the pill? For your first time on the pill, should you be on it for a certain amount of time before having sex? Sorry that I have so many questions, it's just hard to go see a doctor in my situation (my dad's a doctor and we live in a small town).
Yes, you need a prescription to get the birth control pill. You might try and see if there are any clinics in your town that provide services young people. Or perhaps there's a supportive school nurse? Otherwise, check our list of clinics in Vancouver as well as Options for Sexual Health clinics throughout B.C.
When taking the birth control pill it's advisable to wait one month before you depend on it alone to protect you from pregnancy. This gives you a chance to be sure you are taking it properly - everyday at the same time.
When you miss a day when you are taking a birth control pill and you have sex what will happen?
If you miss a pill for more than 12 hours you should be using condoms as well as the pill for the next 10 days to be sure you won't get pregnant.
I have been on the depo shot since July, and have gotten all my shots on time if not early. About a week ago my boyfriend and I had sex without a condom, and he pulled out shortly before he came. I know pulling out is not a reliable method, but yeah depo is 99.7% effective...but give me some assurance please! and another question. because i've been on depo since July and am still not pregnant...does that mean that it is even less likely for me to get pregnant in the future while on depo? I mean since I've started depo I've hax sex with a condom, without one and him pulling out and once without him pulling out and I am still not pregnant, unless the last time as I described before got me pregnant?
If used properly, Depo-Provera is a very reliable form of birth control. It uses progesterone - a hormone - to keep your ovaries in a resting state. This means that your ovaries don't release an egg each month, which prevents the possibility of a pregnancy starting. As you know, you need a Depo shot every 3 months. Each shot contains enough progesterone to keep your ovaries from ovulating for 3 months. The closer you get to the end of the 13 weeks, the less progesterone there is in your body. When there is less progesterone, it increases the chances that your body will ovulate. So, if you are late getting a shot, there is a chance that you could get pregnant.
Many people think pregnancy is the only risk they need to think about when having sex and overlook the risks of catching an STI or HIV. It's important to keep in mind that Depo and the Pill DO NOT protect you and your partner from STIs and HIV. This is the reason it is recommended that people use condoms even if they are using Depo or the Pill.
If you and your partner do not want to use or are finding that you are not consistently using condoms, it's important that you make sure that both of you do not have a STI or HIV. You can both get tested at your local Youth Clinic. I would suggest that you visit a clinic now and get more information from the nurses. They will tell you more about the "window period" for different infections (this is the time between when you become infected and when a test will show that you are infected) and what you need to do to make sure your tests are accurate.
This will likely mean consistently using condoms for the next 6 months (HIV has a long window period), getting your tests done, and waiting for the results before you decide whether to continue using condoms or not. It's also important to remember that tests only tell you about your current STI or HIV status. If either you or your partner engage in a risk behaviour, your status can change. For this reason, it's very important to talk about your expectations of and commitments to each other, including how you will take care of each other should someone do something that may affect their STI or HIV status.
I was wondering, if you're on the pill and you take a pregnancy test will it be as accurate if you were not on the pill?
Thanks for such an original question. The pill shouldn't interfere with the results of a pregnancy test. But if a woman is pregnant, then she should get off of the pill as soon as she knows.
Hello I went into the doctors office and told my doctor that i would like to go on "the shot" Depo and anyway he told me i have to get a PAP test i told him i was still a virgin and he said that it would still be recommended and My friend told me that her doctor told her to come back after she has sex to get it and i heard it is done with a steel brush is that true? Should i get it done although i am a virgin?
Any woman who is 18 years or older or is sexually active should get a pap test for a few reasons. First, pap tests can detect cervical cancer, and second, pap tests check for undetected symptoms of STIs. PAP tests are something the doctor has to do before prescribing hormone-based birth control like Depo to make sure that it's okay for your body. Even if you are virgin, it is a good idea to get a pap test done before you have sex, and regularly (about once a year) after that. Pap tests are not done with "steel brush." they are done with speculum--a slender, metal or plastic tool that is inserted into the vagina. The speculum allows the doctor doing your pap test to look inside the vagina, gently scrape some cells from the cervix and the vaginal wall. For most women, pap tests are painless.
Hello, I got the depro shot today, its about my 6th day since my menstruation started and I was wondering if you could answer some questions.. My doctor attempted to answer them but sometimes you need double assurance, Heres the question.
How long does it take for the shot to work from the moment i get it?
Knowing that your suppouse to take the shot the first 5 days.. ITs kinda scaring me.. Tomorrow i'm going to be on my 7th day. Normally on my sixth day I spot, and I dont know if that may or not help my situation. I am leaving on a Trip to see my boyfriend in 3 weeks and I am Not Sexually active but i want to know if i where to have sex would there be a greater chance i got pregnant because i took the shot a day late?.
P.s.. Could you also recommend non-latex condoms and where I could find them? *i'm allergic to latex and I havent been able to locate any non-latex ones*
Thanks for your question! It's great to know that you've been thinking about how to take care of your sexual health! Depo Provera is a highly effective form of birth control; from the moment it's injected, it's immediately about 99.7% effective at preventing pregnancies for the next 3 months. It does this by keeping your ovaries in a "resting" state so that no eggs are released. Each month, an egg is released by the ovaries during ovulation which happens about 14 days into your cycle. As with any medication, there are side effects to Depo Provera. The most common are irregular periods or spotting, nervousness, dizziness, stomach discomfort, headache, and fatigue.
Although you are suppose to take your first shot 5 days into your period, this is only an ideal. The makers of Depo Provera have provided your doctor with information about how many days on either side of this ideal timeframe that (s)he can give a shot and still have it work effectively. Given that Depo Provera only protects against pregnancies and not prevent STDs and HIV, you're on the right track to be thinking about also using condoms. This could also help put your mind at ease until you feel more confident in the Depo Provera's effectiveness.
To answer your last question, you can purchase both male and female polyurethane condoms from drug stores. However, you may be able to get them for free! This is particularly great as non-latex condoms are slightly more expensive than their latex counterparts.
I started talking the birth control pill on the first day of my period, and after three months of trying it i realized it wasnt for me so i stopped talking it and when i did i was still on my period and now its been about a month and i havent had my period and i wanted to know if thats normal? is it late because i stopped talking the pill? am i pregnant, i dont think that could be possible though!
It is quite common experience irregular periods when you stop taking the Pill as it takes a while for your ovaries to start functioning regularly again. Some women - especially those who had irregular periods before going on the Pill - they may have irregular periods for up to a year or longer.
Hello I have a question for you. My girlfriend wants to go on the pill she is still a virgin and she is trying to find out where she should go to find out what pill is right for her... and where she should buy them and how much they are... another question i have is how long does it take before a girl can start having sex without condom (we both know we are clean) after she is on a pill... i've heard it's about a month... Thanks in advance
It's great to hear that you and your girlfriend are able to talk openly about sex, what you are both ready for, and how to reduce the possible risks! Knowing yourself, being able to talk openly with your partner, and taking responsibility for being safe are all important steps in being ready to be sexually intimate. It's also great to see that you are taking an active role in preventing unintended pregnancies! Although hormone-based birth control is only available for women at this time, the responsibility for being safe belongs to both partners.
Birth control pills are one of several hormone-based options for preventing pregnancy. It's also possible to get a Depo-Provera shot every 3 months and a patch that is changed on a weekly basis. Birth control has to be prescribed by a medical professional so your girlfriend will have to visit her doctor, local Youth Clinic, or Options for Sexual Health Clinic.
The great thing about Youth Clinics is that all of these options are available for free and they don't contact parents...In fact, people even use a pseudonym like Cinderella or Rambo! They can also help your girlfriend decide which option is the best fit. If your girlfriend doesn't want to get her birth control from the Youth Clinic, she can also buy birth control at pharmacies once she has a prescription.
When your girlfriend gets her prescriptions, the doctor or nurse should provide information about how the option she has chosen works, including when it will become effective in preventing pregnancies. Generally, it takes a full menstrual cycle for the hormones to alter the way a woman's body works. This means you need to use condoms to prevent pregnancy while using the first package of pills.
Keep in mind that birth control does not prevent STI or HIV infections and that the only way to know for sure if you are infected is to have a test. You can both do this at your local Youth Clinic.
How does the pill work?
The Pill is made up of two hormones: estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are used to trick your body into thinking it is pregnant. When pregnant, your ovaries do not release an egg each month. And, no egg means there's nothing to fertilize. In this way, the Pill prevents pregnancies. There are side effects to the Pill and it's important to discuss these with a doctor when getting a prescription.
Emergency Contraception
what if the condom breaks?
When condoms are used properly during sexual activity, they reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy, STIs, and HIV. This is because the condom keeps the sexual body fluid of one person from contacting the body of the other person. If the condom breaks that means that there is the possibility of sexual body fluids being exchanged. And, when these body fluids are exchanged there is a possibility of pregnancy (in the case of vaginal sex) and STI/HIV infection (in the case of oral, vaginal, and anal sex).
If you discover that the condom you are using has broken, it would be good to visit your local Youth Clinic or Planned Parenthood Clinic right away to discuss the possible risk of pregnancy and/or STI/HIV infection with the staff there. They can help you decide the best way to deal with the possible risks you've been exposed to and how to reduce them in the future. For example, you may be given the option of using emergency contraception (ECP) to prevent a pregnancy. ECP needs to be taken with the first 72 hours after unprotected sex.
Hi there, Recently I purchased Plan B over the counter at a pharmacy. In the past I got it from a youth clinic where they assure anonymity but I am kinda concerned about purchasing it from a drugstore. I had to produce ID and then, after I had already filled out the forms and paid for it, the girl behind the counter tells me the risk that it could show up on my family health care, that my father could end up receiving some sort of info about my purchase. This doesn't make sense to me because I paid for it in cash and did not use my CareCard. Why would such a thing show up? Please, tell me if this is possible, because nobody seems to reallybe sure. If this is possible, can I do something about it to assure anonymity.
This sounds like a difficult situation...The decision to get emergency contraception is hard enough without the complications of worrying about how to maintain your anonymity. For most people, sexuality and sexual health are very sensitive matters and they don't want to share their choices with everyone. I contacted one of the nurses from the Richmond Youth Clinic to investigate your question further. She spoke with a pharmacist at both the hospital and a drugstore, and to someone from Pharmacare. Here's the information she uncovered:
According to Pharmacare, your anonymity is protected by the Freedom of Information Act, which protects individuals from having their records made available to other people including family members. Cardholders can request a list of medications provided to the card owner (called a Profile mailing). Pharmacare does not do this unless it is requested. If your father wanted a profile of your medications, he would need your written permission before Pharmacare would give him any information.
You said that you paid in cash and did not put your CareCard number on the form. Unless this is your regular pharmacy AND they linked this purchase to an existing file that already had your CardCare and/or your family's extended health insurance plan number (e.g., Blue Cross), the Plan B would not show up on your Profile. If the pharmacy did have a file on you and charged your purchase to your family's extended health plan, then your purchase might show up on any statements sent by the insurance company to the policyholder. However, according to the drugstore pharmacist, since you paid full price for your purchase, it should not be billed against your family's extended health plan.
So, it looks like your family will not be informed of your purchase; your anonymity is protected. On a related health note, although I'm not sure what circumstances led to your Plan B purchase, I'm guessing it involved unprotected sex. Keep in mind that pregnancy is not the only risk; you should also consider getting tested for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. A visit to your doctor or local Youth Clinic would also provide the opportunity to discuss birth control and STI/HIV protection. Also, you may be interested to know that Plan B is available for about $10 at Planned Parenthood Clinics.
How effective is the morning after pill?'
The morning after pill, or emergency contraception is about 86% effective against pregnancy when used within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The sooner you take this pill, the better it works. This method is a good idea if another form of contraception has failed during vaginal sex or if a woman has been raped.
Community Resources for Teens
This has nothing to do with sex, i hope thats ok. i was looking at your site for info on youth clinics/resources. i was wondering, if i go there for counselling, can they break confidentiality if i tell them i self harm? i'm not suicidal or anything.. what about drugs, sex, or abuse? i think i need someone to talk to but at the same time, i'm worried that if i go i'll suddenly not know what to say... any ideas?
Thanks for your email! It's great that you are asking these questions! It's not uncommon for young people to self-harm during times of stress. Self-harm is a coping behaviour that meets a need. At the same time, it can be frightening for the person doing it. Youth Clinics can help people come up with new strategies for coping.
Youth Clinics are great places for youth to get help with many different kinds of health issues, including sexual health, drug and alcohol use, and abuse. The staff at the clinics have lots of experience with youth health issues and really want to help young people.
It sounds like you really want to talk about what's going on and are concerned about what the counsellor will do with that information. The services at Youth Clinics are confidential and can be anonymous (youth are not required to give their real names). There are some circumstances when health professionals and counsellors are required by law to break confidentiality.
Keep in mind that you are in the driver's seat when you visit a Youth Clinic. You may want to tell the counsellor that you want to discuss some issues and are concerned about your confidentiality. Ask him/her to tell you about the rules of confidentiality and when s/he would break confidentiality. Once you know that, you can decide how much information you feel comfortable sharing. This also gives you a chance to get to know the person and see if you feel comfortable with him/her. It's important that you are okay with how much and how fast you share with the counsellor. S/he will understand this.
Sherry Small is the Youth Clinic Counsellor for Vancouver. She is located at Evergreen Community Health Centre and her number is 604-872-2511. You can call her to book an appointment. You can even discuss your concerns about confidentiality with her over the phone.
If you decide that you are not comfortable discussing this with someone in person, you can also get confidential and anonymous support from a professional counsellor through the Kid's Help Phone (1-888-668-6868).
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