Teenage Pregnancy Advices

Being Pregnant at Early Age

Why Risk It promotes that whatever the age you shouldn’t be having sex until you are ready and more

DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND SEXUAL HEALTH

Why risk it? is Middlesbrough’s 16-18 Risk Reduction Campaign.

It is a partnership between Middlesbrough Teenage Pregnancy Unit, Sexual Health Teesside, DISC – Platform, Linx, Middlesbrough College and Linx Project.

Its so easy to take the measures and small steps to protect your self against STIs and Unplanned Pregnancy.

‘The average age for first time sex has fallen significantly since the 1950’s’

‘Females from 21 to 16 and from 21 to 17 for males’ (Wellings et al)

Why Risk It promotes that whatever the age you shouldn’t be having sex until you are ready and more importantly certainly not without protection.

Why Risk It? Offers free, confidential advice and services to young people to ensure then they receive the correct information Risk Taking Behaviours and how to protect themselves against Sexually Transmitted Infections and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Why Risk It? Offers a range of services and advice on risk reduction

Drugs & Alcohol

Middlesbrough’s Young People’s Specialist Drug and Alcohol team is situated in Myplace. The service allows young people to make an informed choice about their lifestyle regarding substance and alcohol use.

Platform works with any young people up to the age of 18. Staff are available to work with these young people on issues surrounding drug and alcohol use. Platform provide information, advice and practical support to young people, parents/carers and other family members.

Platform focus upon building on positives and strengths. Platform will ensure that anyone accessing our service is offered a safe, comfortable environment and a worker who will listen and not judge and believe that confidentiality and trust is a crucial part of our service. Platform workers will always try to maintain confidentiality and trust and to enable all young people to live healthy and lead safe lives

Condoms are the cheapest and most reliable method of contraception. They act as a barrier to stop sperm from entering the vagina; by doing this they protect against unplanned pregnancy and from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Condoms can also be used for oral and anal sex to protect both partners from a range of STIs including HIV.

LARC – Contraception Methods

If you are going to have sex, using contraception is the best way to prevent pregnancy.

Most sexually active young women want to use a method that is safe, reliable and doesn’t require too much thinking about and there are four methods that fit this description. Together they are known as LARC methods (this stands for Long Acting Reversible Contraception) and they are the implant, the injection, the IUS and the IUD.

Contraceptive Pills

Contraceptive pills are a popular method of contraception. There are several different types of pills, all of which are really effective if you remember to take them regularly.

If you are worried that you might not remember to take it as you should then pills might not be the most effective method for you. A health professional at one of the clinics below will help you to make a decision.

Emergency Contraception -EHC

If you’ve had sex without using a condom or other method of contraception, or you think your contraception might have failed (e.g. you forgot to take your pill), you can use emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) to reduce the chance of becoming pregnant. You must act fast though!

EHC needs to be taken within 72 hours (up to 3 days) of unprotected sex but the sooner you take it, the better the chance of it working.

You can do a pregnancy test from the first day of your missed period. If you have regular periods, you will probably know when this is.

If your periods are irregular, you can do a pregnancy test 21 days (3 weeks) after the last time you had unprotected sex (sex without using contraception).

Missing a period is the most reliable sign of pregnancy. Other things to look out for include:

* Feeling sick, nauseous or vomiting;

* Feeling tired or moody;

* Needing to pee more often than normal;

* Sore or tender breasts.

If you think you are pregnant, you will need to do a test to confirm this. You can do a test at home, but it is better to have one with a health professional (a nurse or Dr) who can then help you to make a decision about your next step.

4 TOP TIPS

Plan ahead: Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy. There are lots of different options, and lots of places to get it from, so you will be able to find something that works for you.

Mistakes happen: If you have had sex without using contraception, and are worried about becoming pregnant, you can use emergency contraception – but you must act fast!

Be safe: Don’t over do it with the alcohol, there are lots of links between unprotected sex and using alcohol so take it easy.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the increase so it is best to make sex as safe as possible. Using a condom for sex will prevent most infections from being passed on.

Get tested: Sexual Health Teesside test and treat STIs, for free. If you think you might have an STI, or just want a sexual health check-up, Sexual Health Teesside staff will be happy to help you, most C Card sites can also offer a Chlamydia Postal Pack for you to complete free of charge.

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