Prevention is better than cure. (Teenage Pregnancy)

Member Name: RiotGrrly

Product:	Teenage Pregnancy
Date:	14/09/01 (242 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Safe, Fun

Disadvantages: Babies

I am writing in here because a lot of things - including some opinions here - have wound me up to the point of screaming "IT'S SONLY SEX FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!"

This could develop into quite a graphic opinion, so if you're deeply religious or squeamish...turn away now.

Teenagers are not going to stop having sex. I think we should blame medieval times, when most females were expecting their second child by the age of fourteen. But if teens are going to have sex, they have to do it responsibly. The whole maxim here is "Prevention is better than cure".

I personally have only been on the Pill since Easter and even then it only came about because of an "accident" the night before. Note: the Morning After Pill is effective up to 72 hours after sex but becomes less effective as time goes on. Doctors reccommend that even if it is more than 72 hours but less than five days then you should still go and see them. It is not a form of contrapceptive in itself. But you all knew that, didn't you? Prior to this event, I had asked my boyfriend if he thought I should go on the Pill but he was always "It's up to you...I don't mind". Well, mate, you will mind when you're paying child support.

The Pill is free and available from your GP or FPC (although I reccommend going to the GP). It is approximately 99% effective. It doesn't make you fat: sitting on your backside eating crisps makes you fat. It can affect the flow of your period but if you're struggling with any side effects...go back and see your GP to change the brand. Simple. How can we reduce teenage pregnancy in this country? By teaching girls that it's not wrong or shameful to take control of your own sexual health, fertility and life.

Another popular method of contraceptive is the condom. Do they stretch over phone boxes? At that price, it'd be a waste to try. Again, condoms are available free of charg
e from a FPC. And they can be bought. Durex are slightly more expensive than, say, Boots own brand but providing they have the kite mark, they're good. Someone I know tried to buy condoms from a vending machine in the mens toilets of a pub but his money got stuck. he had to ask the bar man to retrieve the coins. My advice: stick to the shop. Maybe if they were cheaper more people would buy them and therefore use them. But they're free anyway. Are girls sluts if they carry a condom? I would hope not. If you think they are, then you are part of the problem causing teenage pregnancy. Are blokes expecting sex if they carry a condom? Possibly. But they might also be acting responsibly. Where's the harm in the benefit of the doubt?

Condoms have a similar success rate to the Pill. If a couple are using both, it is a personal choice as to whether they stop using condoms. But the Pill alone wont protect you from STI's, STD's or having bodily fluids run down your leg. I warned you...

I can't really believe that I felt the need to write this. Only now, in the 21st Century I am still hearing of abortions, pregnancy scares and the like. The information and the means to prevent pregnancy are out there, people just have to bite the bullet and go get it.

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