Contraception
contraception; contraceptives; pill; condoms; IUD; injection; emergency; diaphragm; sex; withdrawal; pregnancy; unsafe; unprotected;
Contents
What is contraception about?
Contraception is when you take some action to prevent a pregnancy. It's important for all young people to think about contraception and the type that could best suit you, well before you get intimate with someone - to avoid an unwanted pregnancy and to give you choice about when, or if, you're ready to be a parent.
Research has shown that young people often begin to have sex before they start to use contraception, and many young people have an unwanted pregnancy!
Which contraception you choose may be based on:
- your physical health
- the type of relationship you're in
- your cultural background
- your values and beliefs
- what is available where you live.
You could discuss the different contraceptive methods further with a trusted adult, or even better, a health professional.
Having a child is a huge responsibility for the mother and for the father too. Wouldn't you prefer to make that decision when you felt ready to be a parent? Why risk having your choices taken away from you?
Alert!
Most types of contraception do not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms provide the best available protection against STIs.
Read the topics Safer Sex and Sexually transmitted infections to learn more.
Contraception choices
There are many different types of contraception. Some are controlled by a woman (eg. hormone contraceptive pills or injections), and some mainly by a man (eg. condoms). Both partners are responsible for making decisions about sexual intimacy and contraception; communication is the key!
Here is a list of some types of contraception - see the Related Topics list for detailed information on each one:
- Condoms
- Implanon
- Contraceptive injection
- The Pill
- Emergency contraception
- IUD
- Sterilisation
- Vaginal ring
Unsafe sex and what to do
If you have had unsafe sex, such as sex without using any contraception, it is possible that you may become pregnant, and you need to work out what to do as soon as possible.
Emergency contraception (the 'Morning after pill') can be very effective if taken within 24 hours after unprotected sex, and may be effective if started within 120 hours (5 days). See the topic Emergency contraception for more information.
The withdrawal method - a warning
The withdrawal method is when a man withdraws his penis from a woman's vagina before he ejaculates, or comes. This is meant to prevent sperm entering the vagina, reaching an egg and causing pregnancy.
This is not safe. Pregnancies often occur when withdrawal methods are tried.
- The penis produces some fluid ('pre-cum') after it becomes erect and before ejaculation. Often there is sperm in the pre-cum and this can cause pregnancy.
- Also, this method relies on the man judging when he is going to ejaculate, and it is quite common for a man to ejaculate before he withdraws his penis.
The withdrawal method does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Resources
South Australia
General
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).