Contraceptives

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World Contraception Day Celebrations

Facts

100 million 100 million women worldwide currently rely on the pill as their primary method of contraception. Source: netdoctor

Senga

"I am thinking of trying the Pill, but my mother says it’s dangerous for younger women."

"She has this the wrong way round. The risks of the Pill aren't all that big, but they're much greater in older women. In the age group 16 to 25, the danger of serious side-effects from the Pill is very small – unless you are a smoker or have other risk factors, such as a history of clots or a family history of relatives who had heart attacks or strokes at an early age. You will be asked about these things when you first go to a doc to obtain the Pill. She should also check your blood pressure –…"

"My boyfriend says we don’t need contraception, because he will pull out at the last minute. Is this a good idea?"

"Not really. Withdrawal, or coitus interruptus as it's known, is not a good way to avoid pregnancy – partly because boys may leak sperm before they come. Also, guys have a dangerous tendency to 'stay in that little bit longer' – until it's too late. Do not risk if you are not ready to have a baby. You need to visit a health worker to decide which contraception method(s) works for both of you."

"Is using PrEP safer than condoms?"

"Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is a way for people who do not have HIV, but are at a very high risk of getting HIV, preventing HIV infections By taking a pill every day, someone exposed to HIV through sex, injection or exposure to infected blood, can keep the virus from establishing a permanent infection. When taken daily and correctly, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV infection. However, PrEP only protects against HIV infections and not all other STIs like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or syphilis. PrEP also does not prevent unwanted pregnancy. Only Condoms do protect against HIV/AIDS, STIs,"

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