Type: Contraception

Yes. You can get pregnant having sex in any position.

No. This is completely false and a dangerous myth. You can get pregnant any time you have sex and many young women have become pregnant the first time they had unprotected sex.

No. Condoms do break occasionally, but this is unlikely if you handle them gently, and don’t snag them with your fingernails or jewellery. You must also make sure you only use latex condoms with water based lubricants and avoid oil based lubricants which can weaken condoms. The risk of not using one is much worse than using one and having an accident with it, as this is very unlikely if used properly.

Yes. Latex condoms can be used safely in the shower or pool and water will not affect the strength of the latex. However, you must remember not to use an oil based lubricant or to use bath/shower items like gels and soaps because they can weaken the condom.

Don’t worry, there are other options. Female condoms are made of polyurethane. When used correctly and consistency, they’re up to 95% effective in preventing pregnancy and also reduce the risk of infection. Polyurethane male condoms are also available. They tend to be more expensive than latex condoms but they can be used with both oil and water based lubricants.

Yes. Using condoms can reduce the risk of getting an infection for both partners. You can get sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in your throat from oral sex. Safer sex is all about getting more pleasure with less risk and there are lots of condoms out there designed to make oral sex more pleasurable.

If the condom is made of latex then no, you cannot use Vaseline as a lubricant. You should only use water-based lubricants, such as K-Y Jelly, with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants, like Vaseline, can damage the condom and cause it to break.

This depends on which pill you’re taking. Read the ‘missed pill’ section of the pill’s pharmaceutical leaflet for further instruction. If you’re concerned contact your local sexual health clinic, contraception clinic or your GP as you may need to take emergency contraception. You must also use a back-up method of contraception while you are at risk of becoming pregnant. If you miss your period and have forgotten to take one of more, you should do a pregnancy test. Find out more about the combined Pill and the progestogen-only pill (POP).

Yes – except for women who should not take the pill at all.  Some women would rather not have a period and they use hormonal contraception like the combined Pill or the progestogen-only pill (POP) to control their periods. However, if you have spotting (bleeding) for more than four days whilst you’re taking the pill, you are advised to have a pill free interval usually lasting four days before restarting your pill again.

With some pills, you can have a monthly withdrawal bleed and with other pills, you may stop bleeding altogether or just have occasional bleeding. Your nurse or doctor will explain this to you and you can ask them about different usage options for taking the combined pill. These are often called “regimens”. Find out more about the combined pill and the progestogen-only pill (POP).