faq's - contraception

A. Your risks of pregnancy are considerably lessened using the Pill and condom together, but without a doubt the healthiest sex choice is one partner for life. NB Remember that condoms do not give 100% disease protection and emotional hurt is greater outside a committed life-long relationship.

Q2. Is there anyway you can have sex without becoming pregnant?

A. No form of contraception is 100% effective, some are more effective than others. The healthiest choice is to wait until you are in a relationship where you are able to take responsibility for the pregnancy consequence if it arises. Are you currently at that point?

Q3. What are the side effects of the Pill?

A. The pill effects different women in different ways. The vast majority have no side effects while some may suffer mild side effects such as nausea (feeling sick), headaches, weight gain. There is also a very small risk of thrombosis which can cause strokes and even death. Although this is very rare there are a small number of women who die each year where the oral contraceptive pill may have contributed to their death.

Q4. What’s the most effective way of protection against pregnancy and disease?

A. Sex with only one uninfected partner within the context of a life-long committed relationship i.e. marriage.

Q5. My girlfriend has started the Pill and has strange mood swings, it is also her period now, will these swings go away when she gets used to taking it? How can I survive these swings?

Certainly pregnancy risk is greatly reduced by using the Pill but it can still happen (e.g. through missing one or more, vomiting and diarrhoea, antibiotics interfering with it). Some women would get "mood swings" as a side-effect of the hormonal action of the Pill.

Sometimes this can settle with time, sometimes a different preparation (make) will have less side-effects. Sometimes they can persist no matter what make is used. Are you sure there are no other reasons for her mood swings? Are you both comfortable with your relationship? Remember to focus as much of your energy as you can on the building of the friendship aspects of your relationship and talking through and listening to one another regarding your feelings, needs and concerns.

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