condoms in the toilet or leave them on the ground.
Some Boys Don’t Want to Use a Condom
Some males will argue against the use of a condom, saying it is less spontaneous, reduces sensation, and is costly or embarrassing to buy. None of these are legitimate reasons to go without protection. People who do not practice safe sex are denying the truth that anyone can get sick from STIs. Using a condom is not about how much you love or trust someone—it is about safety. Think of it as common sense—like wearing a seat belt in a car or a helmet when you go biking or skateboarding. Anyman who refuses to wear a condom isn’t the type of man you want to be having sex with. If you want to have sex, it has to be safe, and on your terms.
Myths About Preventing Pregnancy
----
A woman can still get pregnant:
• whether or not she has an orgasm.
• if the male has any semen on his finger and puts it into her vagina.
• if she has vaginal intercourse while standing, if she is bleeding from her vagina when she has sex, or if she has not even begun to menstruate.
• if it’s her first time.
• if she jumps up and down right after sex. The sperm will not come out.
• if she douches, showers, or washes right after sex.
• if she’s been having sex for a while and hasn’t gotten pregnant the other times.
• if the man pulls out before he ejaculates. This is known as the withdrawal method.
Using withdrawal as a method of contraception is not suggested. Pulling out poses a risk because during intercourse, a clear fluid (also sometimes called pre-cum) comes out the end of the penis, and this fluid may contain sperm if there is some left behind from a previous recent ejaculation. (Pre-ejaculate does not contain sperm on its own but there is a small chance leftover sperm could become mixed in.) It is safest to not takeany chances. Do not rely on the man pulling out before he ejaculates.
If You Become Pregnant
----
Each pregnant teen has three options with her pregnancy.
Becoming a Parent
She can choose to continue the pregnancy and become a parent. For teens who plan to continue a pregnancy and become parents, start prenatal care: take a prenatal vitamin and stop smoking, drinking, or doing any drugs. Discuss with your partner and both of your families how you are going to move forward. Discuss things like housing, work, money, education.
Adoption
She can choose to continue the pregnancy and seek adoption services. For teens who plan to continue a pregnancy and adopt, do all of the above, but also ask a doctor if he or she knows a social worker who can help you set up an adoption.
Abortion
She can end the pregnancy and seek abortion services. Remember that if you have Plan B and have had unprotected intercourse in the previous seventy-two hours (three days), take your Plan B. It works by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg into the wall of the uterus.
For teens who need to end a pregnancy, there are optionsfor abortion care. If the pregnancy is less than nine weeks, a medication abortion can be accomplished by using the medicine RU-486. This can come only from a doctor who is familiar with prescribing this medicine. A woman using medication abortion will experience cramping and bleeding, much like a spontaneous miscarriage at home. If she is more than nine weeks pregnant, or prefers not to take the pills, a woman can have a surgical abortion, with a D&E (dilation & evacuation) or with a D&C (dilation and curettage). These are simple procedures done most often in a clinic setting. They are virtually the same. For a D&C, the cervix (opening to the uterus) is dilated or stretched open about a centimeter. Then a curette is used to scrape the wall of the uterus to remove the pregnancy. An evacuation is when a small suction device is used to vacuum out the contents of the uterus. Often an abortion includes both curettage and evacuation. Both approaches to abortion are very safe and do not interfere with your future
Some Boys Don’t Want to Use a Condom
Some males will argue against the use of a condom, saying it is less spontaneous, reduces sensation, and is costly or embarrassing to buy. None of these are legitimate reasons to go without protection. People who do not practice safe sex are denying the truth that anyone can get sick from STIs. Using a condom is not about how much you love or trust someone—it is about safety. Think of it as common sense—like wearing a seat belt in a car or a helmet when you go biking or skateboarding. Anyman who refuses to wear a condom isn’t the type of man you want to be having sex with. If you want to have sex, it has to be safe, and on your terms.
Myths About Preventing Pregnancy
----
A woman can still get pregnant:
• whether or not she has an orgasm.
• if the male has any semen on his finger and puts it into her vagina.
• if she has vaginal intercourse while standing, if she is bleeding from her vagina when she has sex, or if she has not even begun to menstruate.
• if it’s her first time.
• if she jumps up and down right after sex. The sperm will not come out.
• if she douches, showers, or washes right after sex.
• if she’s been having sex for a while and hasn’t gotten pregnant the other times.
• if the man pulls out before he ejaculates. This is known as the withdrawal method.
Using withdrawal as a method of contraception is not suggested. Pulling out poses a risk because during intercourse, a clear fluid (also sometimes called pre-cum) comes out the end of the penis, and this fluid may contain sperm if there is some left behind from a previous recent ejaculation. (Pre-ejaculate does not contain sperm on its own but there is a small chance leftover sperm could become mixed in.) It is safest to not takeany chances. Do not rely on the man pulling out before he ejaculates.
If You Become Pregnant
----
Each pregnant teen has three options with her pregnancy.
Becoming a Parent
She can choose to continue the pregnancy and become a parent. For teens who plan to continue a pregnancy and become parents, start prenatal care: take a prenatal vitamin and stop smoking, drinking, or doing any drugs. Discuss with your partner and both of your families how you are going to move forward. Discuss things like housing, work, money, education.
Adoption
She can choose to continue the pregnancy and seek adoption services. For teens who plan to continue a pregnancy and adopt, do all of the above, but also ask a doctor if he or she knows a social worker who can help you set up an adoption.
Abortion
She can end the pregnancy and seek abortion services. Remember that if you have Plan B and have had unprotected intercourse in the previous seventy-two hours (three days), take your Plan B. It works by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg into the wall of the uterus.
For teens who need to end a pregnancy, there are optionsfor abortion care. If the pregnancy is less than nine weeks, a medication abortion can be accomplished by using the medicine RU-486. This can come only from a doctor who is familiar with prescribing this medicine. A woman using medication abortion will experience cramping and bleeding, much like a spontaneous miscarriage at home. If she is more than nine weeks pregnant, or prefers not to take the pills, a woman can have a surgical abortion, with a D&E (dilation & evacuation) or with a D&C (dilation and curettage). These are simple procedures done most often in a clinic setting. They are virtually the same. For a D&C, the cervix (opening to the uterus) is dilated or stretched open about a centimeter. Then a curette is used to scrape the wall of the uterus to remove the pregnancy. An evacuation is when a small suction device is used to vacuum out the contents of the uterus. Often an abortion includes both curettage and evacuation. Both approaches to abortion are very safe and do not interfere with your future
Similar Books
