Only total abstinence from sexual contact offers 100% protection from pregnancy and STIs. Almost half of men (45%) and a quarter (26%) of women agreed that drinking alcohol had contributed to them having sex without using contraception. (ICCP, 2004). Be Drink Aware. (www.drinkaware.ie) You may not know if you have an STI. Up to 86% of women and 50% of men with gonorrhoea have no symptoms. (HPSC, 2008) Lots of people do not know when a woman’s most fertile time in her cycle is. Recent research found that only 31% of men and 56% of women knew a woman’s most fertile time. (ISSHR, 2006) Young people aged 20-29 have the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections. (HPSC, 2008) 16% of 18 to 24 olds did not use contraception on the most recent sexual encounter because sex ‘had not been planned’. (ISSHR, 2006) Plan Ahead, and Think Contraception if there is a chance you may have sex. In the space of ten years, there has been a 700% increase in cases of Chlamydia in Ireland. (HPSC, 2008) Practicing ‘Double Dutch’ (using condoms with other methods of contraception) will help you to have safer sex and prevent unplanned pregnancy and STIs. Vomiting, diarrhoea, antibiotics and some other prescribed drugs can interfere with the effectiveness of the pill. In all instances another method of contraception should be used. The majority of contraception is 99% effective BUT only if used correctly and consistently.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Description:

It is usually a complication of Chlamydia and gonorrhoea in women but may also be caused by bacterial vaginosis and other infections.

Effects:

  • The infection can spread to the reproductive system and surrounding area
  • Infertility
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Long term pain

Cause:

  • Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person
  • Intimate genital contact with an infected person

Symptoms:

  • Pain in your lower abdomen.
  • Pain during sex
  • Abnormal bleeding between periods
  • Painful periods
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge

Treatment:

  • Antibiotics

Source: Health Service Executive (HSE), 2007