Dr Girl/Dr Dejour Q&A
Dear Dr Dejour,
I have been with my boyfriend for almost a year now. I really love him very much and he loves me like mad too. But the reason why I'm in need of advice is that, I am totally crazy and worried like hell about getting pregnant. We've been sexually active just recently but I have not been taking any pills or any form of contraception except the condom. My boyfriend is too worried about the side effects of a pill, which I too believed. We both want a healthy sexual relationship but is the pill necessary for me even though we don't do it that often? I am deeply worried about this matter. I don't want to feel scared after experiencing the most wonderful love making with my boyfriend. Please help me!
Signed Worried_Chick.
Dear Ms Worried_Chick,
Congratulations on a happy start to sex.
Your questions are very mature. The contraceptive choices that are options for a woman before she has had a family, are 'emergency contraception' - the pill and condoms. Knowing your 'fertile time', and avoiding it, will also lessen the chance of pregnancy.
Emergency contraception is a series of tablets, that you can take up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, to prevent pregnancy. In Australia these tablets can only be obtained from your doctor or a hospital emergency department. In some overseas countries they can be bought from chemists without prescription. They are not a long term answer but can help you out of a bind.
Condoms can be bought from anywhere just about. The good thing about condoms is that they prevent STDs like HIV (that causes AIDS). The bad thing is that sometimes they break (less likely if a lubricant is used) and nearly 10 of every 100 people relying on them, get pregnant.
The Oral Contraceptive Pill, is the most effective and commonly used contraceptive. Less than 1 of 100 couples using it, will have an unwanted pregnancy. It allows sexual freedom and spontaneity, but does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. There are dozens of different brands and the vast majority of women can find one that suits them. The side effects, if any, are of nuisance value and will stop when you stop the pill. The complications of pregnancy are greater than of the pill. Your local doctor can prescribe the pill to you at any age, without discussing it with your parents. It is useful to let someone know that you are taking it, often someone older, so that they can help you get the prescription and keep you motivated in taking it.
Girls are usually worried about weight gain on the pill as appetite usually increases. Weight gain can be avoided by eating healthy and getting enough exercise. Weight gain is only by a few kilograms if anything, and settles down over time.
Another point to remember is that you are most fertile two weeks after the first day of your period (day 14). Avoiding sex from about day 10 to day 17 may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy, but is not very reliable.
In summary, if this is going to be a long-term thing, with your boyfriend, I suggest talking to your local doctor about the pill. If it is not, then perhaps just continue to use condoms. But remember, always have safe sex!
Regards,
Dr Dejour
I have been with my boyfriend for almost a year now. I really love him very much and he loves me like mad too. But the reason why I'm in need of advice is that, I am totally crazy and worried like hell about getting pregnant. We've been sexually active just recently but I have not been taking any pills or any form of contraception except the condom. My boyfriend is too worried about the side effects of a pill, which I too believed. We both want a healthy sexual relationship but is the pill necessary for me even though we don't do it that often? I am deeply worried about this matter. I don't want to feel scared after experiencing the most wonderful love making with my boyfriend. Please help me!
Signed Worried_Chick.
Dear Ms Worried_Chick,
Congratulations on a happy start to sex.
Your questions are very mature. The contraceptive choices that are options for a woman before she has had a family, are 'emergency contraception' - the pill and condoms. Knowing your 'fertile time', and avoiding it, will also lessen the chance of pregnancy.
Emergency contraception is a series of tablets, that you can take up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, to prevent pregnancy. In Australia these tablets can only be obtained from your doctor or a hospital emergency department. In some overseas countries they can be bought from chemists without prescription. They are not a long term answer but can help you out of a bind.
Condoms can be bought from anywhere just about. The good thing about condoms is that they prevent STDs like HIV (that causes AIDS). The bad thing is that sometimes they break (less likely if a lubricant is used) and nearly 10 of every 100 people relying on them, get pregnant.
The Oral Contraceptive Pill, is the most effective and commonly used contraceptive. Less than 1 of 100 couples using it, will have an unwanted pregnancy. It allows sexual freedom and spontaneity, but does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. There are dozens of different brands and the vast majority of women can find one that suits them. The side effects, if any, are of nuisance value and will stop when you stop the pill. The complications of pregnancy are greater than of the pill. Your local doctor can prescribe the pill to you at any age, without discussing it with your parents. It is useful to let someone know that you are taking it, often someone older, so that they can help you get the prescription and keep you motivated in taking it.
Girls are usually worried about weight gain on the pill as appetite usually increases. Weight gain can be avoided by eating healthy and getting enough exercise. Weight gain is only by a few kilograms if anything, and settles down over time.
Another point to remember is that you are most fertile two weeks after the first day of your period (day 14). Avoiding sex from about day 10 to day 17 may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy, but is not very reliable.
In summary, if this is going to be a long-term thing, with your boyfriend, I suggest talking to your local doctor about the pill. If it is not, then perhaps just continue to use condoms. But remember, always have safe sex!
Regards,
Dr Dejour
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