http://kinseyconfidential.org Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:00:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 2006-2007 aschweig@indiana.edu (Kinsey Confidential) aschweig@indiana.edu (Kinsey Confidential) posts 1440 Just another WordPress weblog Kinsey Confidential Kinsey Confidential aschweig@indiana.edu No no http://kinseyconfidential.org/wp-content/themes/kinsey/images/kinsey-podcast-300.jpg http://kinseyconfidential.org 144 144 http://kinseyconfidential.org/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:00:06 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=554 http://kinseyconfidential.org/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/feed/ 0 3:04 The fact that you have been having sex for about a month and have already taken emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill, ... The fact that you have been having sex for about a month and have already taken emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill, two times - and almost a third time now - is something that I would strongly suggest you speak with your healthcare provider, or a trusted parent or adult, about. Emergency Contraception: Not For Frequent Use Emergency contraception pills are not recommended for frequent use. If you and your boyfriend have decided to have sex with each other, then I would strongly suggest exploring other options for preventing pregnancy. For example, have you considered using condoms? Not only would condoms greatly reduce your risk of pregnancy if you use them consistently and correctly, but they can also greatly reduce your risk of getting or giving one another several sexually transmissible infections, or STIs. Since you seem comfortable with hormonal contraception, which is what emergency contraception is a form of, you might also ask your healthcare provider about birth control options such as the birth control pill, patch, shot or ring. Although they are all highly effective, some are easier to use than others and may be better choices for you. No "Safe" Days As you mentioned, some women do experience spotting or bleeding after they take the emergency contraception but it is not necessarily the same as a period and you can absolutely get pregnant during this time period. There are no absolute "safe" days during which a woman cannot get pregnant, especially if she is relatively young and has irregular cycles. Please take the time to talk to your boyfriend about your choice to be sexual with each other and ways that you can reduce your risk of pregnancy. Try to identify at least one adult or healthcare provider that you can feel comfortable talking to about your choices regarding sex so that you can take care of your sexual health and reduce your risk of pregnancy. Recommended Reading You might find it helpful to read S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College by Heather Corinna or to visit the web site of Planned Parenthood for detailed information about birth control methods and healthcare services. Birth,Control,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-bleeding-after-sex-rpregnancy-risk/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-bleeding-after-sex-rpregnancy-risk/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:00:40 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://wfiutest.rtv.indiana.edu/?p=424 http://kinseyconfidential.org/vaginal-bleeding-after-sex-rpregnancy-risk/feed/ 0 3:37 Many women experience vaginal bleeding during the first few times that they had sex. When the hymen tears, it does not necessarily tear all at ... Many women experience vaginal bleeding during the first few times that they had sex. When the hymen tears, it does not necessarily tear all at once. It may continue to tear gradually over time, and sexual experience, so it is indeed common to experience slight bleeding on the second or even third occurrence of sex. That said, if you continue to noticed bleeding or if you have any other vaginal symptoms such as irritation, itching, or burning, you should check in with a healthcare provider to rule out other health issues, including sexually transmissible infections, or STIs. All women who are sexually active, even if just once or twice, should have a gynecological exam anyway as a means of caring for their reproductive health. So if you haven't already done so, now may be a good time to make an appointment for a gynecological exam. This is particularly true now that you had unprotected sex with a partner. It is not true that you cannot get pregnant from sex if you bleed. In fact, a woman can absolutely become pregnant from unprotected sex, even if it is her first or second time having sex, and even if she bleeds. The blood, for example, does not "wash out" the semen. If this just recently happened, you might contact your healthcare provider immediately for information about emergency contraception (also called the "morning after pill") which can help to reduce the risk of pregnancy if taken within 5 days of unprotected sex. It is most effective when taken very soon, such as within 3 days, of unprotected intercourse. As you know, many women and men find that alcohol can lower a person's inhibitions and affect their judgment, which can contribute to them doing things that they might not normally do. If you did not want to have sex with this person, or if you did not want to have unprotected sex, but did so because you were drunk, then perhaps this is an opportunity to re-evaluate your choices regarding drinking and sexuality. Some women and men make pacts with their close friends that at least one of them will remain completely sober and will not let the others do things that they say they don't want to do. In the future, perhaps you and your friends can discuss ways of keeping each other safe if you plan to drink. To learn more about women's sexual health, including issues related to safer sex, pregnancy risk and the relationship between alcohol and sex, you might read Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective. Bodies,,Content,Type,,Podcast aschweig@indiana.edu no No http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-fears/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-fears/#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:55:19 +0000 Dr. Debby Herbenick (M.P.H., Ph.D.) http://www.kinseyconfidential.org/2008/08/04/qa-i-think-im-pregnant-but-im-afraid-to-go-to-the-doctor/ http://kinseyconfidential.org/pregnancy-fears/feed/ 0 3:39 As scared as you may be, I really want to encourage you to check in with a healthcare provider to find out if you are ... As scared as you may be, I really want to encourage you to check in with a healthcare provider to find out if you are pregnant. Pregnancy tests are usually very accurate, especially when they are taken several weeks after unprotected sex. If you are feeling scared or in shock, please talk to a family member or a friend that you trust, and that is generally pretty responsible and caring of you, so that they can help you. You should also consider talking to your boyfriend about your concerns about the two of you possibly having become pregnant. If you are pregnant, you will need to learn more about your options and your health. If you choose to carry your pregnancy to term, you will want to learn about prenatal health care, which includes the healthcare visits that you will need from now until when your baby is born, to make sure that you have a healthy pregnancy. You will also have information to learn about special nutrition needs of pregnant women as well as lifestyle behaviors that are relevant to pregnancy, such as those related to smoking, drinking, exercise, sexuality, and even driving as you get further along in your pregnancy. The book ldquo;Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Childbirthrdquo; is a good resource for information. If it turns out that the pregnancy test was not accurate, and you are not pregnant, you might consider re-evaluating some of your choices to be sexually active if you are not yet ready to deal with the realities of pregnancy risk. That may mean postponing further sexual activity or it may mean asking your healthcare provider for more information about contraception, such as the birth control pill, condoms, or the birth control shot. You might also talk to your boyfriend about how yoursquo;re feeling about sexual activity and pregnancy risk. Emergency contraception is highly effective at preventing pregnancy ndash; but it isnrsquo;t a guarantee against pregnancy. It is about 89% effective when taken within 3 days after unprotected sex, but that means there are still times when it does not prevent pregnancy. Please donrsquo;t assume that just because you took emergency contraception that you cannot be pregnant. You have had unprotected sex, you have not had a period in about two months, and you have had a positive pregnancy test. Talking to someone you can trust and feel safe with, and checking in with a healthcare provider, are good next steps to consider. Content,Type,,Podcast,,Pregnancy aschweig@indiana.edu no No