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.

Think About STIs

Good sexual health means making sure you have the knowledge, skills and ability to make informed sexual choices and acting responsibly to protect your health and the health of others. This includes planning pregnancy and parenthood and preventing STIs. Some STIs can cause long-term problems, yet lots of people don't know much about them. This section of the site will give you information about STIs and the best ways to protect against them.

Remember, if used correctly, condoms protect against most STIs. More information on condoms. 

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) 

Fact: In the space of ten years, there has been a 700% increase in cases of Chlamydia in Ireland (Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), 2006). STIs are more commonly reported and particularly growing among 20-29 year olds (Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), 2006).

STIs are infections that are passed on from an infected partner(s) during unprotected sex (vaginal, anal and oral). They are caused by specific bacteria and viruses. In some cases, you may be at risk even if you don’t have full sex. Kissing and touching each other’s genitals may pass on some STIs.

There are many different STIs – some are more common than others. Most can be cured with medication. However, some of them can only be treated to reduce symptoms but will stay in your system once you have been infected. Remember, only total abstinence from all sexual contact offers 100% protection from pregnancy and STIs.