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.

Facts About Emergency Contraception

  • 90% of adults in Ireland believe that emergency contraception should be available (ISSHR, 2006).
  • Irish Contraception & Crisis Pregnancy (ICCP) study reported that 5% of 18 to 25 year olds had used emergency contraception in the past year. 
  • Knowledge of the time limit for taking the pill was better amongst women with 64% of women and only one quarter of men correctly identifying the 72-hour time limit for emergency contraception. (ICCP, 2004).
  • We know from research that from a sample of 46 participants who had taken the emergency contraceptive pill on the most recent occasion, 19% said it was because no contraception had been used. (ICCP, 2004).

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