Sex and Relationships FAQs
Will my parents be told if I go to a clinic?
No, your visit will be confidential unless the staff think that your personal safety is at risk.
Will I have to pay for the pill or condoms or a pregnancy test?
No, any treatment or contraception that you receive at a clinic is free
Do I have to make an appointment?
No, the Community Contraception Service clinics are informal and work on a drop-in basis
Can I bring a friend with me to the clinic?
Yes, if you don’t want to go on your own you are very welcome to bring a friend.
How do I get the pill?
You can either go to your GP or to one of the Community Contraception Service clinics or a Family Planning Clinic. You will have to answer some questions about your health and have your weight and blood pressure checked first. If these are all OK the nurse or doctor will supply you with the pill and explain how to take it.
My friend says that you put on weight with the pill. Is this true?
Some women put on a little weight but most do not. If you put on weight the nurse or doctor can change you to another pill.
I’m a bit confused about when I should start taking the pill.
It is best to start your first packet of pills on the first day of your period, and then you are protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start it at any other time it is not effective for the first seven days.
I had sex last night and didn’t use a condom. What should I do?
You need to get emergency contraception (sometimes called the morning-after pill) from your doctor or a Community Contraception Service.
Does the morning-after pill have to be taken the next day after unprotected sex?
No, you have 72 hours in which to take it but it is the most effective if taken in the first 24 hours.
Is it true that you can only take emergency contraception twice?
No, you can take it as many times as you need it but it is meant for emergencies so it is much better if you use a regular method of contraception.
Does emergency contraception cause an abortion?
No, it stops you ovulating (releasing an egg) or stops an egg from implanting in the womb so it prevents a pregnancy from starting.
How soon will a pregnancy test work?
It is best to wait until your period is at least a day late before having a test as it may not show if you are pregnant until then.
I’m pregnant and want an abortion. What should I do?
Go to your GP or a Community Contraception Service clinic and they will be able to refer you to the hospital or a special clinic.
Do I have to pay for an abortion?
No, the NHS will pay for it as long as you go to your GP or a Community Contraception Service clinic first.
How would I know if I’ve got Chlamydia?
The only way to find out is to have a test, as you do not often get symptoms with Chlamydia
My friend said that you have to be examined by a doctor to see if you’ve got Chlamydia. Is that true?
No, at the Community Contraception Service clinics you can have a “do it yourself” test. Men just do a urine sample and women a self-taken vaginal swab (a bit like inserting a tampon).
Would the clinic have to write to me at home if I’ve got Chlamydia?
No, you can be texted to your mobile phone with your test result.
Is it true that you can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex?
No, you could fall pregnant during any unprotected sex so it is always best to use contraception. Some women rely on a ‘safe period’, but this is difficult to work out and offers no guarantee against pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. If you are considering having sex always think about contraception and don’t leave it to chance.
My friends reckon that everyone is having sex, is this true as I am still a virgin at 16?
Lots of young people think that everyone else is having sex, but in reality about 25% of girls and 33% of boys have sex under 16. That means that 75% of girls and 67% of boys are not. Remember that you are the person to decide when the time is right. You might want to consider these questions to help you decide:
- You feel you could say no if you wanted to
- You can have fun together without anything sexual involved
- You each want it for yourself, not for the other person or to fit in with friends or others’ expectations of you
- Nobody’s forcing you, pressuring you or coercing you
- You have discussed using condoms and contraception and agreed what happens next and whether or not to tell your friends afterwards as well as talking about the implications if you become pregnant
You probably won’t be ready for sex till you can tick all these boxes
But remember even once you are ready – it still doesn’t mean you have to!
Remember too that just because you’ve already had sex – it doesn’t mean you have to again – you can take some time out
For more sexual health FAQ visit RU THINKING
