FAQs

If you had unprotected sex and don't want to get pregnant right now, you may want emergency contraception. Like other forms of birth control, emergency contraception stops you from getting pregnant. The difference is that you can take it after you had sex. Emergency contraception pills are different from drugs used to end a pregnancy. Emergency contraception works well, but it's not a substitute for regular birth control. Regular birth control works better, has fewer side effects, and costs less. As the name suggests, emergency birth control is only for emergencies, not something to use all the time.

You can use emergency contraception, also called "morning after pills" any time you need a second chance to prevent pregnancy after sex. Here are some of the most common reasons to use emergency contraceptive pills:

• When the condom broke during sex
• When a couple got carried away and forgot to use a condom
• When a woman was forced to have sex against her will.
• After rape

No, using emergency contraceptive pills prevents pregnancy after sex. It does not cause an abortion. In fact, because emergency contraception helps women avoid getting pregnant when they are not ready or able to have children, it can reduce the need for abortion. Emergency contraceptive pills work before pregnancy begins. Emergency contraception will not work if a woman is already pregnant.

No. Emergency contraceptives can only be used ONCE in a month in cases of unplanned sex, rape, incest or sexual assault due to its high levels of hormones hence. It should not replace regular contraceptives for persons engaging in frequent sexual activity.

Oral and injectable contraceptives can help reduce infection of the reproductive organs (PID) which can cause infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. They also reduce the risk for ovarian and endometrial cancer, may reduce menstrual cramps, acne and iron deficiency anaemia. Oral contraceptives prevent the risk of breast cyst; however IUCD can cause infection especially if exposed to STIs. .(Apart from preventing pregnancy contraceptives have other benefits e.g depo can prevent iron deficiency in some people however like any other drugs contraceptives have site effects  hence it is important that a person gets thorough counselling on the  method chosen).

If 1 or 2 hormonal pills are missed, the client should take that pill as soon as she remembers. The client should take the next pill at the usual time; this might mean that she has to take 2 pills on the same day or at the same time. She does not need any additional contraceptive protection.

If 3 or more consecutive hormonal pills are missed or she starts a pack 3 or more days late, the client should take the hormonal pill as soon as possible and then continue taking pills daily, one each day. She should also use condoms or abstain from sex until she has taken hormonal pills for 7 days in a row.

If she missed the pills in the third week she should finish the hormonal pills in her current pack and start a new pack the next day, not taking the 7 inactive pills.

If she missed the pills in the first week and had unprotected sex, she may wish to consider the use of emergency contraception.

No, Masturbation is not harmful.  It is a safe way to satisfy sexual desire and is often part of therapy for people who are having sexual problems.  However, it is a personal choice.  Some people choose not to masturbate and some feel that it is wrong.

Masturbation or self-stimulation of the genitals for pleasure is not a dangerous or bad activity for men or women. In fact, it is quite normal. It cannot cause any health problems. Masturbation does not cause fertility changes in men or women, such as decreased sperm or egg counts.

There is no numerical safety limit to how many times a day one can or should masturbate. The only time a person should be concerned is if his or her masturbation is so frequent that it significantly interferes with other aspects of the individual's life. For example, if a young man stops socializing because all he wants to do is masturbate, he may become socially withdrawn which creates its own problems. Otherwise, pleasuring oneself is safe.

Self-pleasuring is a form of sexual expression. Masturbation is a type of sex. It is safe sex, since you cannot become pregnant or contract a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) while masturbating.

False.  Bleeding happens when the hymen is torn.  However, some girls are born without hymens.  Hymens can also easily stretch or tear during normal physical activity or sports and can be stretched open by fingers or tampons.  So, not bleeding does not mean a girl has had sex before.

False.  Many women, about 70-75%, do not reach orgasm from vaginal intercourse alone.  Women are more likely to have orgasms if they or their partner touch or stimulate their private parts. This is called non-penetrative sex or outercourse. it is sexual activity that usually does not include sexual penetration. It generally excludes the penetrative aspects of vaginal, anal, or oral sexual activity, but includes various forms of sexual and non-sexual activity, such as frottage, mutual masturbation, kissing or cuddling. This is safe for people to avoid unintended pregnancies. But young people must be careful since it does not prevent transmission of HIV and STIs.

False.  The first time a woman has sex, it may or may not hurt. To reduce any discomfort or pain, her partner should take time to touch her and make sure she is fully aroused and her vagina is very wet before intercourse.  Her partner can also start by inserting fingers to gently stretch open the hymen, if the woman has one.  If a woman feels nervous or afraid, the couple may want to wait.

False.  He may not want to control himself or stop, but all humans, male and female, can always stop at any point in a sexual experience.  Some men believe that if they get really sexually excited, they have to have an orgasm, but this is not true.  Stopping may cause some discomfort, but it will go away on its own.

True.  Most men will have this experience at some point in their lives.  It is normal and nothing to worry about.  Worrying about it can make it more likely to happen again.

False.  Penis size does not mean that the woman will feel more pleasure.  Although every woman is different, most women say that it is what the man does, not his size, that is important.  In fact, very large penises may be uncomfortable or even painful for some women. Also remember that most women do not have orgasms from vaginal sex alone.

There is no right age to have sex.  Each person has to decide for themselves when they feel ready to have sex.  It may depend on their relationship, values and feelings.  On the other hand, all countries have laws that say how old a person has to be to be able to agree to have sex.  Before that age, the person is considered too young to make this decision.

False.  As noted before, many women do not have orgasms from vaginal intercourse.  For those that do, this statement may or may not be true.  For those that do not, it does not matter how long the man keeps going.  Honest communication between partners will make sex pleasurable for both partners.

There is no truth in this statement; child birth has nothing to do with sexual debut before the age of 25 years.

Firstly, the adolescent girl would have late or missed period, she might also have the following; nausea, vomiting, excessive weight gain, easy tiredness.

Yes,  if you are on the ovulation phase of your menstrual cycle and you have unprotected sexual intercourse you are likely to get pregnant  even if I was your first time, but it depends on several factors that can be divided into male and female factors. However, one of the most important one is the issue of the time during your menstrual cycle that you had asexual relationship. If it occurred around the time of your ovulation then you are likely to get pregnant even if it was the first time.

False. Menstrual pain is due to constriction and cleavage of the blood vessels and muscles of the uterus during menstruation. Menstrual pain is not associated with a medical illness in most cases.

Individuals differ in the timing of puberty. While most girls begin puberty before 9 years while for others it usually starts late. When certain expected changes including menses and change in stature have not started at the required time in an individual, then puberty is delayed for instance menses should have started by 16 years while appearance of pubic hair and increase in size of breast by age 14 years. Sometimes periods are irregular or stop entirely due to under nutrition or imbalance of hormones (that help regulate periods).

It is mainly a matter of variation in the size of breast between individuals even in the same person the sizes of the two breasts differ. Adolescents of the same age might have different sizes of breasts which would increase in size as they grow older.

The size of the penis does not determine its sexual function nor is it an indication of “maleness”. Adolescents of the same age might have different sizes of their penises which would increase in size as you grow older.

The size of the penis does not determine its sexual function nor is it an indication of “maleness”. Adolescents of the same age might have different sizes of their penises which would increase in size as you grow older.

Marriage is a life time commitment to your spouse and most times an avenue for having children. A girl below age 18-20 should not bear children because her body (pelvic bones are still too narrow and the reproductive organs are not fully matured) is not ready for childbearing. She is also not physically and psychologically matured. Childbearing in adolescence can result in medical complications. Therefore, it is advisable that a girl should not marry until she is fully matured to handle the responsibilities of marriage.