Do Some Sexual Positions Make it Easier to Get Pregnant?

Do Some Sexual Positions Make Conceiving Easier?



While not a lot of people will agree that the sexual positions have anything to do with getting pregnant, the logic is that there are certain positions that can help the sperm meet the egg in a shorter time.



This is especially true for couples who have difficulty conceiving. Having said this, the first "best position to get pregnant" tip is to avoid positions that least expose the cervix to the male sperm, and that generally defy gravity such as sex while standing up, sitting down, or with the woman on top. When trying to conceive, it is best to limit the amount of sperm that flows back out of the vagina.



The woman's hips should also be positioned in such a way that the sperm released is kept inside, giving it enough time to swim up to the female cervix.



Consider the following positions instead:



1. The missionary position. Or man-on-top is said to be the position that's best for getting pregnant. This is because this particular position allows for the deepest possible penetration, making it possible for the sperm to get deposited closest to the cervix.



2. Raise the hips. Elevating the hips, which can be done by placing a pillow behind her, can also be helpful because this exposes the female cervix to as much semen as the male can release.



3. Doggy-style. The rear-entry position where the man enters the woman from behind is also a recommended position. In this position, sperm is also deposited closest to the cervix, thereby helping increase the chances of conception.



4. Side-by-side. You can also try having intercourse while lying side by side. This position likewise causes the most exposure of the cervix to the male sperm.

5. Orgasms. Finally, while this has nothing to do with sexual positions, there are also researches that suggest the importance of the female orgasm in conceiving. According to studies, female orgasm leads to contractions that could push sperm up into the cervix. The lesson: have fun while trying to conceive.



There a small variations you can add to the positions listed above



1. Relax; Try Oral Sex.



Each partner can take turns lying back while the other partner performs oral sex. Lie back and enjoy the stimulation. Also a heady rush or thrill is felt by most people if the partner performs oral sex on their knees.



2. Missionary



Do not just lie back,



Tighten buttocks



Put your legs together to increase surface stimulation



Use hands and mouth to explore



Wrap legs around partners' waist to deepen penetration



Lie back a few minutes after



3. Doggy Style



Be creative.



Explore each other with hands and mouth



Introduce toys ,If you are into that.



Reach Down and Stroke testicles



4. Always have fun.









Watch this space for more tips and tricks.

Image from www.indianexpress.com

Staying Wet

Too much of a good thing?

I have been getting response from the super studs amongst us who have sworn to me that they are so good. They last so long that they have their lady friends worn out.

If the majority of men are long lasting (this has not been proven) in intercourse then I have to prepare the women.

Most women do not stay lubricated for long periods during rigorous intercourse. This does not mean she is not enjoying sex. It is caused by a variety of factors. Vaginal dryness may also result from insufficient excitement and stimulation or from hormonal changes, pregnancy or breast-feeding. Irritation from contraceptive creams and foams can also cause dryness, fear and anxiety about sexual intimacy.

What is lubrication anyway?

Vaginal lubrication occurs by a lubricating fluid that is naturally produced in a woman's vagina. Moistness is always present, but production increases during sexual arousal in anticipation of intercourse. Without sufficient lubrication sexual intercourse can be painful to the woman.

Why are you not “wet”?

* Perhaps you are under stress. It also happens as we age and it happens periodically throughout life as our hormones rise and fall.

* Have you changed any medications recently? Lots of medicines can cause vaginal dryness as a side effect.



What can you do?

*Try having a shower before intercourse. You will feel cleaner, fresher more confident to be adventurous. Note however when washing your nether regions before sex, use cold water as hot water can dry you out.

* Maybe you need a change! Slow down. Do more nonsexual touching, kissing and fondling to enable you to become more fully aroused. What fantasies might you want to try? How about a new toy or position? Maybe have a night of just oral play for both of you for a change. Also, have your partner use his fingers inside you . Some women can even ejaculate during intense orgasms! Then proceed to intercourse! You should be really wet by then.

* How about your diet? It is hot outside and our diet reflects how our body can respond. Are you eating a healthier diet with lots of fruits and veggies, or are you a meat and starch person? Lower the amount of high cholesterol foods, increase fruits and veggies and drink more water. The cleaner, healthier diet keeps all of your parts moving and your sex life benefits too! Take vitamins, especially zinc which helps with lubrication.

* How often are you having sex? Having sex regularly naturally keeps the juices flowing so keep trying to stay connected and let your body relax and enjoy the wonderful sensations!

*Female arousal usually takes more time than male arousal, so foreplay is crucial. Your brain needs to feel sexy so that your body can feel sexy.

* Try using a water-based lubricant for now. It will help to keep you lubricated and make penetration more comfortable. Different lubes have stimulants and flavorings

Try something new and different. Sex should never be the same thing every time so have some fun.

Looking forward to tips and tricks from you.

One Minute Man

Take me back,

show me what you got

Cos i don't want no one minute man!



How long do you last in bed?

Does it matter?

Are you satisfied with your lasting time during intercourse?

Is your partner satisfied?



Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual issues.

Do you know it is more common in younger men? Older men may have problems getting it up but with age and experience they are able to control ejaculation.



What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation is uncontrolled ejaculation either before or shortly after sexual penetration, with minimal sexual stimulation and before the person wishes.



In less fancy words premature ejaculation is when you cum too soon, sooner than you would have liked, before you had the chance to satisfy your partner.



(Side Note: Ladies if a guy comes too quickly it may be a direct compliment to you)





What causes premature ejaculation?

Most cases of premature ejaculation do not have a clear cause. Let us leave the causes to the scientists to figure out the and focus on bringing out the stud, the "energizer bunny", the inner cassanova in you.

Premature ejaculation may occur with a new partner, only in certain sexual situations, or if it has been a long time since the last ejaculation. Psychological and medical issues may contribute.



Tips and Tricks to increase lasting time

In many cases premature ejaculation resolves on its own over time without the need for medical treatment.

For some men, stopping or cutting down on the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs may improve their ability to control ejaculation.



The mind is the most powerful drug



First, you need to learn to calm yourself down and lower your performance anxiety because premature ejaculation is associated with infrequent sex, men with low frequencies of sexual activity often get extra excited and aroused, which can lead to performance anxiety when sex presents itself. Even men with frequent sex can get extra-aroused. Think back on the scenarios you had in mind and let them play (of course those thoughts should not be of you cuming too quick).





Are you comfortable?

During sex, if you’re holding your breath, flexing your abs and muscles, or supporting your weight in certain sexual positions (missionary), you’re creating muscle tension that increases the potential for premature ejaculation.



Tell her how you like it

Men that are comfortable with their body image and with being touched often have lower ratings of sexual anxiety.



Let's Do Some Exercise

Start-Stop Method

The start-stop method is a tested method to learning to control and last longer. A man will stimulate his penis until he is ready to have an orgasm and then cease stop.

Why this self-administered torture? You’re training yourself to find your point of no return. This is the moment before orgasm when you’re about to explode. Instead of ejaculating, you stop the stimulation and allow the feeling of orgasm to subside.

Essentially, you’re teaching your mind and body to get comfortable with being in heightened states of arousal and learning orgasm approaches. At first, masturbate alone using the start-stop method, then use it with your partner (hand job), fellatio (blow job) and finally incorporate the start-stop method with intercourse.





Sex Positions

Who would’ve thought the positions we have sex in can impact premature ejaculation? Oddly enough, the most popular position is missionary, which is also the position associated most with premature ejaculation. For a man looking to cure premature ejaculation try positions that limit muscular tension such as female on top, side-to-side (spooning) and rear entry (doggy style) when both partners are on their knees.



Other Treatments

Personally, I think desensitising creams are a short-term fix. Why would you want to reduce your sensation? Isn’t the whole point of sex to feel sensation and find ways to enhance this? Condoms have similar desensitising aspects but at least protect you from STIs and pregnancy. Ejaculating before intercourse is another way to last longer. The more times we ejaculate in a sexual experience, the longer lasting we become and less semen we produce. Try cumming from a hand job or a blow job before full on sex.



What did i miss ?

How do you pros do it?

Viewers Discretion; The Uncircumcised Penis

For a while now i have been curious almost obsessed with the uncircumcised penis. How does it look? How does it feel? Do you have to take special care of it? Does it give the same pleasure as a circumcised penis? All these questions and many more. I am sure i have put thoughts in your head now. Well i have tried to answer my questions and the ones i have put into your head now. First of all, what is circumcision? Circumcision is a religious or cultural ritual for many Jewish and Islamic families, as well as certain aboriginal tribes in Africa and Australia. Circumcision can also be a matter of family tradition, personal hygiene or preventive health care. Sometimes there's a medical need for circumcision, such as when the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back (retracted) over the glans. Circumcision might have various health benefits, including: Easier hygiene. Circumcision makes it simpler to wash the penis. Washing beneath the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis is generally easy, however. Decreased risk of urinary tract infections. The overall risk of urinary tract infections in males is low, but these infections are more common in uncircumcised males. Severe infections early in life can lead to kidney problems later on. Decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections. Circumcised men might have a lower risk of certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Still, safe sexual practices remain essential. Prevention of penile problems. Occasionally, the foreskin on an uncircumcised penis can be difficult or impossible to retract (phimosis). This can lead to inflammation of the foreskin or head of the penis. Decreased risk of penile cancer. Although cancer of the penis is rare, it's less common in circumcised men. In addition, cervical cancer is less common in the female sexual partners of circumcised men. Circumcision might not be an option if certain blood-clotting disorders are present. In addition, circumcision might not be appropriate for premature babies who still require medical care in the hospital nursery. Circumcision doesn't affect fertility, nor is circumcision generally thought to enhance or detract from sexual pleasure for men or their partners. older boys or men to reduce the risk of certain sexually transmitted infections. How does it look? Left; uncircumcised. Right; circumcised. Now the other things you have been thinking? well maybe just me. How do you put on a condom on an uncircumcised penis? The penis has to be hard before you put a condom on it. Pull the foreskin back first. Roll the condom down as far as it will go. Done. Is special care needed? Pull the foreskin all the way back to wash the head of the penis,this is done to prevent the accumulation of smegma ( a fluid that is found on male and female genitals). accumulation of smegma may cause an unpleasant smell. Dry the penis completely and apply talcum powder for fresh scent. It also helps to wash Penis after urination. Does sex feel different? Nope, sex with an uncircumcised man feels just the same as having sex with a circumcised man. ( I did my research.) Any other questions? What are your thoughts?

How I destroyed a Marriage

How I Destroyed a Marriage

There is a lesson in here, I promise.

One day at work a lady came in. She looked good. She was gorgeous, the hair was right, she had brilliant skin, the shoes were to die for. She was good looking woman in her mid thirties. She complained that she noticed some unusual discharge and pain during urination. She had tried to treat a fungal infection with clotrimazole.‘I really need something that would get rid of the discomfort, I am not sure if you understand’.‘I do, madam’. As we talked, a handsome man walked in, I know little about suits but his looked impeccable. He was the kind of man anyone would find attractive. Maybe I was lost staring at him because the next thing out of my mouth was a bomb. She said to me, ‘This is my husband’. It was then it came out, ‘Madam, he needs to take the same medication as well so you do not get reinfected’. A light came to her eyes. She screeched, ‘I knew it! I knew it! I knew it was you, I am so &%%king pissed’. She stormed out. I was literarily frozen, so was he.She came back into the building, pointing fingers at him, ‘I tried to give you the benefit of doubt’. I found my voice then, I tried to calm her telling her it could be just a toilet infection. She said to me, ‘Sweety, I know when it is just a toilet infection. He went alone on a trip last week and these symptoms only started after he returned’. The look on his face was priceless.
I hurriedly sold the medication to them. I cursed myself for being so tactless in handling the situation. I realized that spreading an infection to a loved one is the easiest way to confirm infidelity. The tips highlighted below will not only help in preventing you from passing on infections but protect you from being infected as well.

How to prevent spreading infections to loved ones.

1. Know your health status for example your HIV status
2. Know your partners’ health status.
3. Know your partners’ sexual history and health status.
4. Use a condom
5. Get immunized ; vaccinations are available that will help prevent Hepatitis B and Human Papilloma Virus.
6. Avoid risky sexual practices especially when unsure of your partners’ health status. Example anal sex and sexual positions that may cause the condom to break.
7. Exercise caution with animals.
8. Do not share personal items like toothbrushes, towels, razors.
9. Do not abuse alcohol or recreational drugs: losing full mental control can lead to dangerous situations or poor decision making.
10. Proper hygiene.

Quiz Time

Some people feel the issue of sexual health has been over flogged. I want to know how true that is to maybe modify my campaign. The answers are at the bottom of the post. Do not cheat!
(This is impossible for some). This is just to create awareness and show that many of us still have some misconceptions.

It has been a week since this blog was started, i would love to hear from you, please leave your thoughts or opinions in the comment box or send me an email concerning what topics you would like to read about. email: healthwisenigerian@gmail.com.


Here is a short quiz to test your knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections(STI).



1. What is the most common STI in Nigeria?



A. Gonorrhea

B. Herpes

C. HIV



2. What are the two STIs that do not have cures?



A. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

B. Chlamydia and Human Papiloma Virus (HPV)

C. Herpes and Gonorrhea

D. HPV and Herpes



3. What are the four fluids that can transmit HIV



A. Blood, Semen, Urine, Saliva

B. Blood, Semen, Vaginal fluid, Breast milk

C. Blood, Semen, Vaginal fluid, Saliva

D. Blood, Semen, Vaginal fluid, Urine



4. Name two STIs that do not have symptoms



A. Chlamydia and HPV

B. HPV and Herpes

C. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

D. Herpes and Syphillis

E. Syphillis and Gonorrhea



5. What is the best lubricant to use with latex condoms



A. Water based

B. Oil based

C. Vaseline



6. The following infections do NOT cause infertility



A. Chlamydia

B. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

C. Gonorrhea

D. Trichomonas



7. What are the STIs that can be cured with an antibiotic

A. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

B. Chlamydia and HPV

C. Herpes and Gonorrhea

D. HPV and Herpes





TRUE OR FALSE



8. All genital infections are as a result of sexual contact



9. You can get several sexually transmitted diseases at one time



10. You can get sexually transmitted diseases from oral sex.



















ANSWERS: 1.A 2.D 3.B 4. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphillis can be silent infections 5. A 6.D 7. Chlamydia, Syphillis, Gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics 8.F 9. T 10. T

It is okay Baby, I am on my safe period

"It is okay honey, i am on my safe period".



Think before you utter those words except your plan is to corner the guy into some form of commitment if that is the case Ride on Sister!



If not, Are you really safe when you are on your "safe period"?

Do you even know how to calculate it?

Is there really a safe period?

Do you know your safe period?



For a very long time i was actually confused about this safe period of a thing. I could not understand its mechanism. I am proud to announce that i have gone back to my books and conducted some research.

The safe period is one of the periodic abstinence techniques . This means that proper calculation can only be done if you have stayed off sex for a period of time to observe how your body works. This way you know what is normal and what is not.

This method is officially called The Calendar or Rhythm Method. It is quite popular amongst older women. Women with regular cycles may use this method and those great at keeping records (we do not all fall into this category i am afraid).

The good thing about this method is that it does not require daily monitoring however a record of 6 (six) consecutive cycles is needed to calculate your safe period.



This is how it is calculated

-Record the number of days in the 6 consecutive cycles. The first day of menstruation is Day one of the cycle. The number of days between each cycle day one is the length of your menstrual cycle.

- Calculate the first fertile day by subtracting 18 from the shortest cycle.

First Fertile day= Shortest Cycle - 18

- Calculate the last fertile day by subtracting 11 from the longest cycle.

Last fertile day= Longest Cycle - 11

- Avoid sexual intercourse during the fertile phase.

For example if the last cycles were 28, 26, 29, 27, 29 and 27 days long.

The first fertile day is 26 - 18 = 8

The last fertile day is 29 - 11 = 18

Avoid sexual intercourse between Day 8 to Day 18. The other days can be regarded as safe.



I must have raised some questions.

Can you get pregnant during your period? Yes...but the chances are slimmer.

Can you get pregnant the day after your period? Yes.



Who knew you would need mathematics to have sex??

So you really do not want to get pregnant?

So you really do not want to get pregnant?

Use a condom.

I know right, almost too obvious.

A while ago there was this broadcast message going round about how everyone assumes they are the only one. Emeka is married but has a girlfriend Cynthia, Cynthia is a good girl so he is hitting it raw. Cynthia knows Emeka is married so she has a boyfriend for when Emeka is unavailable, Iyke who she plans to marry. Iyke is a bad boy so he has a side chick Veronica. He believes Veronica is obsessed with him but She knows she is a side chick so she is weighing her options with other guys. You get the picture.

Apart from the obvious risks of infections pregnancy at the wrong time is a lose-lose situation for all parties.

Guys there is a twist to this story, what if your side chick gets pregnant? I am sure you do not want to re enact Usher's Confessions. How do you prevent this?

Always use a Condom.

I know where this method might fail, when both parties are trying to pretend the sex is totally spontaneous. Yes, sometimes it is but some of you know deep down when you are going to get some. Or for some ladies the plan is to resist him time around. I can picture some many scenarios right now, "Baby, i did not even plan this, i did not even bring a condom but you are so irresistible. Seeing you looking all gorgeous does it for me". I believe you brother.

Does it really feel better without a condom?

I bet it does.

Skin on skin but you are going to get burned.

Most of us can cite the dangers of unprotected sex without even thinking does not mean this same majority would indulge in it. The focus now is to avoid getting pregnant.


Let us talk about condoms. I know you know the brands and you can tell me the prices.

Do you know that there is the male and female condom?

The spotlight right now is on the Male Condom.

The effectiveness of the male condom ( chances of not getting pregnant 86% - 97%). Male Condoms are made out of latex but polyurethane and tactylon( both plastic are available).

Pros and Cons

Easy to get and inexpensive, provides some protection against STIs, reliable method for those who cannot use hormonal birth control methods.



Some irritation or sensitivity to latex. Some men complain. May interrupt foreplay.



You can make condoms more fun.

Try these to get maximum pleasure from condoms.



Size matters: The right fit completely changes how a guy experiences sex with a condom. One that is too tight reduces circulation and takes longer to put on ( he can lose his erection) and the condom is more likely to break. If you can not roll the condom all the way to the base of the penis its not large enough. if its oversize it can slip off or the extra material will make the guy feel inadequate.



Try a condom designed with a swirl or bulb ( it will say so on the pack. It may say "Twist" "Pleasure" or "Spiral"). These moderate more friction near the nerve packed head of his penis.



Try Ribbed Condoms

Try Flavored Condoms

Try Novelty condoms

Use Lubricants- water based lubricants are best. **tip** put 2 drops of lubricant in the condom before applying.

Use Flavored Lubricant.



Most importantly when using a condom, put your partner at ease, choose the right rubber, keep the intensity high (avoid fumbling or long pauses trying to apply a condom).

I came across this on www.condomania.com

Mens Health Picks

1. Best All Round : Trojan Ribbed Ecstasy

2. Best for Him: Lifestyles x2 Condoms

3. Best for Her: Trojan Ecstasy for Her

4. Most Natural Feel: Durex Extra Sensitive

5. Greatest Comfort: Lifestyles Skyn

You may get these brands at recognized pharmacy stores.

The Case of the Missing Condom

I want to share a friend's story here. The above title tells it all but i will continue. Let us call my friend Tammy*. This is a true life story.

Tammy and her sexual partner just concluded a satisfactory round of intercourse which started out been protected. At the end of the round Tammy's partner went to the bathroom, that is when the disappearance was noticed. Tammy and partner searched high and low the crevice where the act took place. It was no where to be found. It became a serious issue as Tammy's partner even accused her of being in possession of the bottomless pit.

After 24 hours and countless search parties, Tammy started googling all sorts on the internet and explaining to a few friends. A good friend advised her to go to a teaching hospital to have it checked out.

Tammy arrived at the Accident and Emergency not knowing how her story would play out. She first encountered some hard faces she could not dare tell her story to. She walked around the premises aimlessly until she stumbled into a room with some young happier faces. By this time she was almost in a panic and all sense of decorum had left her. She started explaining her situation to the whole room. She was lucky they were doctors who "had seen things". They snickered amongst themselves and asked her a barrage of questions before one of the doctors amongst them led her to an examination room. He was the youngest most attractive of the lot. He took it upon himself to ask her questions about her sex life. "what were you guys doing before it got lost?". Hehehe (snickering). "It was worth it abi?" The worry in her heart did not let her have a wise remark. She swallowed it all. A proper search was carried out using a speculum. The whole situation was so uncomfortable for her.

A miracle.

At long last....

The Condom was found!



Foreign objects; tampons, small toys, toilet paper, household objects may cause infections when left or forgotten.



Removal of an object in a teenage girl requires evaluation and treatment by a doctor so sexual activity, high-risk sexual behavior, and birth control can be discussed.



How to remove an object from the vagina



You may attempt to remove an object from your vagina, especially if you think it might be a forgotten tampon or a birth control device.



Wash your hands with soap and water.

Squat down, sit on the toilet, or stand and put one foot on the bathtub.

Insert two fingers into your vagina. Sweep your fingers back and forth and try to feel the object or a string if one is attached.

Tighten your lower abdominal muscles as if you are going to have a bowel movement. This may push the object lower in the vagina, so you can reach it with your finger.

Once you feel the object, grasp it and pull it out of the vagina.

If you cannot find the object, you will have to see a doctor. It is important that you get the object out as soon as possible

So you do not want to get pregnant?

Nobody is having sex. Your friends are not doing it. Only the girls in sunday school or the ones in your class who get pregnant before the degree program is over, those are the people having sex.



We all have someone we know or that friend we least expect who "suddenly" gets pregnant. It is just shocking.



I am here to help, this article is NOT for the ladies here whose only chance of pregnancy is through immaculate conception. Move Along...I am not here to debate on premarital sex.

So you do not want to get pregnant? Stop having sex. Abstinence is the only method of contraception that is 100% effective.

Impossible?

Continue Reading...



I have noticed that many people have the wrong ideas about contraceptives, when i say contraceptives what comes to mind is emergency contraceptive an example Postinoor2 (a popular brand). This does not cut it as a regular method of contraception. A lot of people are afraid to try other methods because of the perceived risks. Use of emergency contraceptives as regular contraceptives has more side effects than the regular oral contraceptives. Emergency contraceptives usually are a high dose of hormones shot in the body system!



To avoid boring you with medical jargon and confusing you, let us get to the thick of things. I would talk about various contraceptive methods in this series.



Let us begin with Coitus Interruptus.



Do not be alarmed by the fancy sounding name, for some of the more experienced ones amongst us its the most common. Simply put it is called the Withdrawal Method.

What is the Withdrawal Method? It is the contraceptive method that prevents fertilization by preventing contact between the sperm and egg. The male partner removes his penis from the vagina and external genitalia of the female before ejaculation occurs. In other words he does not cum inside.

The effectiveness ( chance of not getting pregnant) is 4% to 19% ( bet you did not know that).

The Pros and Cons

It costs nothing, Involves no chemicals, no devices, it is available in every situation.



The chances of getting pregnant with this method is much higher than with other methods.

Some men do not know when to withdraw.

Some men do not withdraw in time.

It interrupts the excitement, the most pleasurable state (for the men).

High risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.



What are your thoughts about this method? Do the pros outweigh the cons?

My Valentines Day Experience

"Nne, Please give me 4 packets of viagra and one container of Adam's desire"

"Will that be all Sir"

"Hehehe for now" said a middle aged man with an eastern accent.

Professionalism/ amebo/ good salesmanship made me probe.

"Can I add a pack of Durex?"

"Hehehe", He laughed, "With all these?" He asked. He actually looked surprised.

"Not today, Nne".

I do not know if it was pure coincidence but we did not sell a lot of condoms that day. My colleague joked, "viagra today, morning after pill tomorrow". From my sales records on Valentine's day, I can only imagine that a lot of people had unprotected sex that day.

I started thinking more about emergency contraception and I wondered how informed people really are. This may sound unrelated but Nollywood movies also added to my thoughts on emergency contraception, so many movies about a woman being raped and going on to conceive from the unfortunate event. How much do we really know about emergency contraception?



Key facts about emergency contraception.



Emergency contraception can prevent most pregnancies when taken after intercourse.



There are two methods of emergency contraception: emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and copper-bearing intrauterine devices (IUDs).



When inserted within five days of unprotected intercourse, a copper-bearing IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception available.



The emergency contraceptive pill which is the most common. The regimen recommended by WHO is one dose of levonorgestrel 1.5 mg, taken within five days (120 hours) of unprotected intercourse. Popular brand available Postinoor 2 although newer equally effective brands are available.



Who needs emergency contraception?



Any woman of reproductive age may need emergency contraception at some point to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.



When should emergency contraception be used?



Emergency contraception can be used in a number of situations following sexual intercourse.

When no contraceptive has been used.

When there is a contraceptive failure or incorrect use, including:

condom breakage, slippage, or

failed withdrawal (e.g. ejaculation in the vagina or on external genitalia);

or failure to abstain or use a barrier method e.g condoms,

in cases of sexual assault,rape or coerced sex



Emergency contraception pills



Levonorgestrel is recommended for emergency contraceptive pill use.levonorgestrel in two doses (0.75 mg each; 12 hours apart).



Progestogen-only method should be taken as a single dose (1.5 mg) within five days (120 hours) of unprotected intercourse.



How does it work?

Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation.

They also prevent fertilization of an egg by affecting the cervical mucus or the ability of sperm to bind to the egg.

IT WILL NOT CAUSE ABORTION.

Effectiveness

The regimen is more effective the sooner after intercourse it is taken.

Is it safe?

Levonorgestrel-alone emergency contraception pills are very safe and do not cause abortion or harm future fertility. Side-effects are uncommon and generally mild.

Emergency contraceptive pills are for emergency use only and are not appropriate for regular use.

In addition, frequent use of emergency contraception can result in side-effects such as menstrual irregularities.

ROUGH PLAY

I was at work one evening when a beautiful girl and when i say beautiful, i do not use the term loosely. She came up to me, asked to see me in private. It was not a strange request as i work in a community pharmacy.



She giggled in a childish manner while i waited for her to get to the point. She began," I like the way you look. You would understand me". I smiled politely as she continued, "Pharmacist, I can call you that right? I have been feeling funny down there and i am very sure something is not right. I have been unbearably itchy for some days now and the stuff coming out of it looks a bit green and smells funny". I listened carefully to her symptoms then explained to her that she had an infection. I gave her the appropriate medication and ended by counselling by saying "Your boyfriend will need to be treated as well".  She giggled in a silly way again, seeing the confusion on my face she quickly replied, "Oh No! I did not get this from a guy. You see my girlfriends and I were just playing around". I was even more confused. She went on, "we were just you know trying out some dildos and things. I think that is what affected me because we used the same one".



I was for a moment lost for words. When did playing around translate to something else? When did harmless become so risky? How well do we really know the people we are sleeping with?



There are infections aside HIV/AIDS which have deadly outcomes some which remain silent killers till the end. The use of condoms has been preached repeatedly but some still prefer to go without. I could say be faithful to your partner but can you be sure of your partners' fidelity? Permit me to say, sex outside a committed relationship should always be protected.

I would encourage everyone to go for routine tests. Ladies especially, a vaginal swab test for bacterial and fungal infections is important as some of these infections are an underlying cause of infertility.



Would you not rather be safe than sorry?