Contraception myths and facts...
"I can't become pregnant if he pulls out before he ejaculates/ cums."
Pre-cum is released as soon as you start foreplay (touching and kissing in a sexual way) and can lead to pregnancy- even if he hasn't gone all the way inside you. You can even become pregnant if sperm enters you from his hands. If you have had sexual contact without using protection (a condom) you should take emergency contraception as soon as possible and within 72 hours of having unprotected sexual contact. It can be taken up to five days after having unprotected sexual contact but it is most effective during the first 72 hours.
An IUD (coil) can also be fitted by a doctor to help stop a pregnancy and should be fitted within five days after having unprotected sexual contact.
If you think sperm has got near your bits please visit one of our clinics to get emergency contraception or call 0116 2898969 for help on finding a convenient time and place to get it.
"I can't become pregnant whilst i'm on my period."
Sperm can live for up to 7 days so if an egg is released by your ovaries and you have sex whilst on your period the sperm could survive long enough in your body to fertilise the egg. It is safer to always use a condom and go on a method of contraception if you wish to have extra protection against pregnancy.
"If you are pregnant and take emergency contraception it can lead to a miscarriage (where you could lose the baby)."
Emergency contraception does not cause an abortion or miscarriage. The only thing that can stop the pregnancy is an abortion or miscarriage. Emergency contraception can only help to stop a new pregnancy from happening if it is taken within 72 hours of any unprotected sex (sex without using a condom).
"If I have unprotected sex and take a pregnancy test the next day or a couple of days later I will be able to tell if I am pregnant."
Pregnancy tests won't be reliable until about 14 days after a pregnancy has started. The best time to do a pregnancy test is after you think you have missed a period but it is sometimes possible to do a test a bit sooner. You cannot always tell when you may have fallen pregnant so it's best to speak to a nurse, doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to get advice. Watch out for cheap pregnancy tests as they may not be reliable and could give you a false test result.