Only total abstinence from sexual contact offers 100% protection from pregnancy and STIs. Almost half of men (45%) and a quarter (26%) of women agreed that drinking alcohol had contributed to them having sex without using contraception. (ICCP, 2004). Be Drink Aware. (www.drinkaware.ie) You may not know if you have an STI. Up to 86% of women and 50% of men with gonorrhoea have no symptoms. (HPSC, 2008) Lots of people do not know when a woman’s most fertile time in her cycle is. Recent research found that only 31% of men and 56% of women knew a woman’s most fertile time. (ISSHR, 2006) Young people aged 20-29 have the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections. (HPSC, 2008) In the space of ten years, there has been a 700% increase in cases of Chlamydia in Ireland. (HPSC, 2008) Practicing ‘Double Dutch’ (using condoms with other methods of contraception) will help you to have safer sex and prevent unplanned pregnancy and STIs. Vomiting, diarrhoea, antibiotics and some other prescribed drugs can interfere with the effectiveness of the pill. In all instances another method of contraception should be used. The majority of contraception is 99% effective BUT only if used correctly and consistently.

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Think you know it all?

People have all kinds of ideas about sex and contraception: some people believe that keeping your eyes closed during sex stops you getting pregnant, that masturbation makes men sterile or that there is no risk of pregnancy if you have sex in certain positions. These are all completely false. Some commonly held false beliefs about contraception can put people at risk of an unwanted pregnancy or an infection. Check below to find out if you know all the facts/myths about reproductive and sexual health.

Facts About Pregnancy

Think a woman can’t get pregnant if she has her period? Here are some facts about when you can get pregnant.

Facts about Contraception

Find out what the Irish think about contraception, and which methods are most popular.

Facts about STIs

Find out how common they are, and how many people with sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms.

Facts about using Emergency Contraception

What do people think about emergency contraception, and when do they use it?

Myths about the Pill

Click here to expose the myths, and learn the facts.

Sexual Rights

Information about your sexual rights.

Links

A list of other websites that provide additional and more detailed information.

Contacts

A list of useful contacts nationwide providing help and services.

Glossary

An explanation of words and terms used throughout the website.