SMC Wellbeing
Sexual Safety
Contraception is part of how you can keep yourself safe if you are sexually active. There are many ways that you can keep yourself safe from STI's and pregnancy such as the pill, IUD, Depo Provera injection and many more. However the only contraception that will keep you from getting an STI is a condom.
Common methods of contraception:
Condoms - Condoms are a very effective form of contraception and are very popular as they are easy to use and easy to access. A condom is for the male to put over his penis so that when he ejaculates, the sperm does not enter your vagina causing pregnancy. Condoms are available from family planning, supermarkets, petrol stations, bars and many more.
Contraceptive implant - This implant is inserted into your arm just under the skin on the inside of a woman's arm by the biceps. These 2 rods are the same size as a match stick which means they are not that big or noticeable. (although you feel and slightly see them just under the skin.) This method is a ‘fit and forget’ approach as it lasts up to 5 years and can be removed at any time. It works by not letting your body release an egg each month and by making the mucus in your cervix thicker so a sperm cannot get through.
Depo Provera Injection - Depo Provera Injection or ‘DP’ contains progesterone which is similar to the hormone produced naturally by women in the ovaries. This prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month and they are also some slight changes in the womb. You need to have the injection every 12 weeks. If you have side effects to the injection, you cannot remove it or take yourself off it like the contraceptive pill or the rod. You just have to wait until the 12 weeks is over.
Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill - Commonly known as the pill, is a little pill that women can take each day to stop themselves from having a period. Combined Oral Pill means that it contains both oestrogen and progestogen which stops the body from releasing an egg. For the pill to be super effective, you must take one each day at around the same time. This can be annoying as you have to remember each day but there are many benefits. You can chose to have a period if you wish which means you have full control on what you want and it's easy to get pregnant once you stop taking it.
It can also help with acne and pimples. Doctors can prescribe it for this reason alone.
IUD - A very small device that is inserted by a health professional into a womens uterus to avoid pregnancy. This is a long term option for women and can last for up to 5 years, it is one of the most effective methods of contraception available
This is not considered a form of contraception.
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill - Or the ECP pill, can be taken after having unprotected sex to help prevent pregnancy. It can be taken up to 72 hours after intercourse but the success of this decreases significantly after 48 hours. It works by stopping the release of an egg into the ovaries until the male's sperm is no longer active in your body.
What can the school nurse offer?
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Confidential contraceptive and sexual safety advice
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Referrals to Family Planning
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Condoms and ECP
CONSENT
Family Planning NZ
Consent - Consent is when both people say and show ‘yes’ to activity and sexual activity. Without consent, the activity is illegal. You can change your mind at any time during the sexual activity you are partaking in, and it's your partner's job to respect that. A person cannot consent if they are drunk, high or unconscious. The legal age that you can consent to having sex here in NZ is 16 years.
Sex or sexual acts are never ok without consent and if you feel like you have been in a situation where you have not consented, or have some questions, there are many places where you can go, such as a person you trust, school counsellor, a nurse at the family planning clinic or you can contact anyone through the local rape crisis centre or Youthline (0800 37 66 33).
Some videos to have a look at!
