R U Thinking?

Could I have an STI?

If you've had unprotected sex there's a chance you could have picked up an STI. If you have symptoms or suspect that something is wrong — or even if you're worried about STIs — the first thing to do is arrange to get tested. If you are sleeping with someone at the moment, stop, or make sure you use a condom until you know if you have an STI. You can get free, confidential advice and treatment from your GP or specialist clinics in your area. Most hospitals have special clinics called Genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics. And there are lots of places that are set up especially for young people. Most STIs can be treated. So don't be scared, find somewhere to get tested and put your mind at rest.

It's not hard to pick up an STI, but most of them can be treated easily. If you want to avoid getting an STI the best thing to do is use a condom every time you have sex.

I think I might be Pregnant

OK. The first thing to do is find out for sure and the sooner you do that the better, so act quickly and take a pregnancy test. If you are pregnant, it's good to have as many options as possible. And the earlier you find out, the more options you have.

There are lots of places you can go for a free pregnancy test and confidential advice. And no one needs to know you're pregnant until you're ready to tell them.

Remember you can always ask for a female doctor if that would make you feel more comfortable.

I've had sex without a condom

Whether you didn't use protection at all, the condom split or you forgot to take your pill, if you've had unprotected sex you are still at risk of pregnancy and STIs. The best thing to do is to act fast. The sooner you act the less likely you are to get pregnant, or pass on any infections you may have picked up to someone else.

To avoid unplanned pregnancy, a girl can take either the emergency contraceptive pill (up to 72 hours/3 days later) or have an IUD coil fitted (up to 120 hours/5 days later). You should continue to use condoms if you are having sex, until your next period if you are on the normal pill.

If you have sex without a condom, or if the condom bursts, you are also at risk of catching an STI. If this happens and you are worried you might have picked something up, you can get confidential help and advice in your local area, as well as free testing for STIs.

If you are having sex, you shouldn't rely on emergency contraception to stop you getting pregnant. There are lots of options you can choose from to make sure you are always protected — so talk to a nurse or doctor about what contraception is right for you. Remember that condoms are the best way to protect you from pregnancy and STIs.

I've been pushed into sex

If someone has forced or persuaded you into a sexual situation you are uncomfortable with, you don't have to deal with it on your own.

Call us free on 0800 28 29 30. Your call will be treated with the strictest confidence.

I forgot to take my pill

Does the pill always work?
If you take it correctly, the pill is 99% effective.

However, certain things can stop the pill working properly, so always read the leaflet inside the packet.

Medicine
Some medicines like antibiotics, and some vitamins, can stop the pill working properly. Always ask your doctor or chemist to give you advice. If your pill is affected, use condoms while you are on the medication and for seven days after.

If you finish a packet while you are on medication, go straight onto the next one without a break.

Being sick
If you throw up (vomit) within three hours of taking your pill, it might not work properly so you'll need to use condoms as well. Carry on taking your pill as normal but ALSO use condoms for seven days.

Having the runs
If you have diarrhoea carry on taking your pill but ALSO use condoms while you're unwell and for seven days afterwards.
 

Forgetting to take your Combined pill
If you've forgotten to take your combined pill, the first thing to do is ask yourself how long is it since you took the last one:

Less than 12 hours late
There's no need to worry. Take the pill you missed straight away and then take your next pill as normal.

More than 12 hours late
Take the pill you forgot straight away and then take your next pill when you normally would (even if this means you end up taking two at the same time).

You will also need to use condoms for the next seven days to be protected.

If you have less than seven pills left in your current packet, finish taking them but go straight onto the next packet without taking the seven day break in the middle.

If you take the kind of pills that don't have a seven day break (Everyday Pill), make sure there are more than seven 'active' pills in your packet. If not, miss out the 'inactive' pills (the larger ones) and start the next pack straight away.
 

If you are using the Mini pill
(progesterone-only pill/POP):

Less than three hours late
There's no need to worry. Take the pill you missed straight away and then take your next pill as normal.

More than three hours late
Take the pill you forgot straight away and then take your next pill when you normally would (even if this means you end up taking two at the same time).

You will also need to use condoms for the next seven days to be protected.