Preparing for Pregnancy - Tesco

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Using hormones Are hormonal contraceptives right for you? ✔Hormonal contraceptives are very reliable providing they are used properly. ✔They don’t interfere with sex. Yes ✔They’re under the woman’s control. ✔They can help with painful periods or PMT. ✔Some hormonal contraceptives can protect against pelvic infections, fibroids, cysts and some types of cancer. The Pill There are two sorts. The progestogen only pill (POP or mini pill as it used to be called) contains the hormone progestogen and is taken every day without a break. The other is the combined pill (COC) which contains both oestrogen and progestogen and is taken for three weeks (21 days) out of every four. During the fourth week when no pills are being taken a woman will have her 'pill period' known as a withdrawal bleed. Some combined pills are known as Everyday (ED) Pills as they are packaged with a week of placebo (or dummy pills) to use in week four. These are helpful for women who are worried about remembering to start a new pack of pills after the week off. They are in every other way identical. There are many brands of combined pills. Implant A small tube about the size of a hair grip is placed under the skin and releases progestogen over three years. It has all the advantages of the pill. 10 FAMILYPLANNING ✗ She’ll need to see a doctor or nurse in order to get them. ✗ They may alter periods - which does no harm but can be annoying. ✗ Some women may get side effects; though you can always change to another hormonal method. ✗ If a woman has certain medical conditions, or wants to avoid the risk of certain conditions, she may not be able to use some hormonal contraceptives. Check with the doctor. ✗ Hormonal contraceptives don’t protect against sexually transmitted infections. Unless both of you have been tested, you’ll need to use a condom. No Injection A hormonal injection slowly releases progestogen into the body - the effects last for up to 12 weeks. There’s no need to remember to take pills! But if there are side effects, they last for 12 weeks too - and after injections are stopped, it may take a while to conceive. Patch A small thin patch is stuck on the arm, stomach or bottom, to release oestrogen and progestogen. Don’t worry, it won’t slide off; it’s waterproof! It needs renewing each week - but one advantage is that it can be used to postpone the monthly ‘bleed’. IUD and IUS The copper IUD and the progestogen IUS are small devices that are fitted in a woman’s womb by a doctor or nurse to prevent pregnancy. They may be uncomfortable to fit and there might be a risk of infection around the time of insertion. They are very reliable, reversible and the IUD is effective for 3-10 years (depending on type), while the IUS is effective for 5 years. Who can help? Hormonal contraceptives are free on prescription, from a GP or family planning clinic. Tesco Pharmacies are open every day for prescription fulfilment. Some private organisations also offer paid-for advice and contraception. Talk to your GP or practice nurse about which of these may be the right choice for you. 11 FAMILYPLANNING None of the contraceptive methods on this page protect against sexually transmitted infections. Forgetting If you know you may forget to take the pill each day, this isn’t the method for you! If you’ve missed a pill or vomited, use an extra contraceptive method like a condom. Certain antibiotics may also affect the pill’s reliability so alternative contraception may be required. The pill packet will have further instructions on what to do - or pop in and ask at your Tesco Pharmacy.
Problem infections Sadly, sex carries the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The more partners you have, the more at riskyou are. But you can even catch an STI the first time you have sex if your partner’s had sexual relationships with other partners without protection. If you have any of these symptoms, get a check-up. But be careful - many STIs show no symptoms at all. • pain or burning when you pass urine • itches, rashes or lumps on or around genitals • unusual discharge • pain or bleeding during sex or between periods • low abdominal pain or pain in your genitals Breaking the news It may feel scary to tell a partner that you have a sexually transmitted infection - or to be told that your partner has one. But if you don’t tell each other, then the STI will never get treated - and you may well end up passing it to and from each other. So tell your partner - and be grateful to a partner who is honest! Who can help? Most STIs can be completely cured if found early enough. For treatment see your GP, or for alternative confidential advice, go to a sexual health clinic - for details, call NHS Direct (0845 46 47 24hrs) or the Sexual Health Line (0800 567 123 24hrs) - or contact the fpa (Family Planning Association). 12 FAMILYPLANNING How to prevent ✔ Many infections are very unlikely to be passed on if you use a condom. ✔ No other form of contraception helps to protect you. ✔ So with new or irregular partners, use a condom all the time, even if you’re using another form of contraception like the pill. ✔ Once you are ready to have unprotected sex, it’s a good idea for both of you to get tested for STIs. UNPLANNED PREGNANCY Some things that might mean your chosen contraception or protection doesn’t or can’t work are: • you don’t have contraception with you • you’re so carried away you forget to use it • you don’t want to stop making love to fetch the contraception • using contraception would upset your partner so you don’t use it • the condom, diaphragm or cap splits or slips • the pill gets forgotten • you are ill and so the pill doesn’t work • you miscalculate your dates when using the natural family planning method • you actually want to have a baby but haven’t admitted that to yourself Some myths Yes, pregnancy can still happen even if... it’s your very first time... she’s on her period... she hasn’t climaxed... If you choose to have sex without contraception or protection, askyourself why. Realising the reasons behind your slip will help you make the right decision next time. 13 FAMILYPLANNING Emergency If you have had unprotected sex, you can still take action to avoid pregnancy if you act fast. Emergency contraception can be used. Askyour pharmacist or seek advice immediately from your GP, family planning clinic, sexual health clinic, NHS walk-in centre, or the organisations listed on the back of this booklet. To check for infection, you can both go to a sexual health clinic. Remember, once you’ve given birth, you still need to use contraception again as soon as you have sex to avoid getting pregnant again. Failing to use contraception just after birth is a very common cause of unplanned pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and don’t want to be, it’s important to talk to someone qualified to advise you, like your GP.
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