Contraception

Contraception is free for most people in the UK, and there are are about 15 types to choose from. Find out what's available and where you can get it.

Contraceptive methods protect against pregnancy.

If you use contraception correctly, you can have sex without worrying about getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant.

Most methods of contraception won't protect you against catching or passing on a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Condoms are the only method that can protect against both STIs and pregnancy.

Protect your own and your partner's health by using condoms as well as your chosen method of contraception.

Will they tell my parents?

Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under 16 years old.

This means the doctor or nurse won't tell your parents or anyone else, as long as they believe you're mature enough to understand the information and decisions involved.

There are strict guidelines for healthcare professionals who work with people under 16.

If they believe there's a risk to your safety and welfare, they may decide to tell your parents.

The risk would need to be serious, and they'd usually discuss this with you first.

Where to get free contraception

You can get free contraception and condoms from:

- Most GP surgeries (talk to your GP or practice nurse)

- Community contraceptive clinics

- Some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics

- Sexual health clinics (these offer contraceptive and STI testing services)

- Some young people's services

- Find your nearest sexual health service, including contraceptive clinics.

Many of these places offer information, testing and treatment for STIs, including chlamydia.

If you have been exposed to the risk of pregnancy, you may also be at risk of catching an STI.

There are lots of contraceptive methods to choose from. You should use a method that suits you, not just because your friends are using it.

Don't be put off if the first method you use isn't quite right for you: you can try another.

Read more about the contraceptive options available to help you decide which one will suit you best:

- Combined pill

- Condoms

- Contraceptive cap

- Contraceptive implant

- Contraceptive injection

- Contraceptive patch

- Diaphragms

- Female condoms

- Intrauterine device (IUD)

- Mirena (intrauterine system or IUS)

- Natural family planning

- Progestogen-only pill (mini-pill)

- Vaginal ring

Two types of contraception are permanent:

- Female sterilisation

- Male sterilisation (vasectomy)

You can also find out more about all 15 of these options by contacting:

Brook – the young people's sexual health charity for under-25s

FPA– provider of information on individual methods of contraception, including the My contraception tool, which suggests types of contraception to suit you and your lifestyle; also provides information on common STIs, pregnancy choices, abortion, and planning a pregnancy

the National Sexual Health Line on 0300 123 7123

In addition to your chosen method of contraception, you need to use condoms to prevent STIs.

Always buy condoms that have the CE mark or BSI kite mark on the packet.

This means they have been tested to high safety standards.

Condoms that don't have the CE mark or BSI kite mark won't meet these standards, so don't use them.

Do NOT use the pull out method as this is NOT reliable, as pre - ejaculate can cause pregnancy or STI transmission. Even if the pre - ejaculate, or ejaculate is near you vaginal the sperm can make its way way into the vagina and you could still get pregnant or contract an STI..

Birth control is about 91 percent effective. Despite these high percentages, it's still possible for you to get pregnant. Birth control failure is often the result of missing two or more pills in a row. Without the constant supply of hormones, you may begin ovulating. However, pregnancy is NOT the only issue with not using protection. There is also a higher risk of contracting an STI than with a condom. However, even using a condom there is a risk of contraction a sexually transmitted infection, as the condom may not have been put on correctly or the condom may split etc...

I know it is valentine's Day, that's why I am posting this today, please make sure you are having safe sex and always make sure you have consent.

Thank you for reading guys, make sure you have consent, be safe and have a Happy Valentine's Day!