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.

Gonorrhoea

Description:

It is a bacterial infection.

Cause:

  • Intimate genital contact
  • Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
  • Infected fingers to eyes
  • Unprotected rimming (mouth to anus contact)
  • From an infected mother to her baby at birth

Effects:

  • You can pass it on to your sexual partner(s)
  • You can pass it on to your baby at birth
  • It can cause problems such as pre-term labour and low birth weight
  • Other long term complications include pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility

Symptoms:

Women:

  • Abnormal vaginal or anal discharge
  • Burning or stinging sensation when you pass urine
  • Pain during or after sex
  • May be bleeding between periods

Men:

  • Abnormal discharge from penis
  • Burning or stinging sensation when you pass urine

Treatment:

  • Antibiotics – for you and your partner(s)

Prevention:

  • Don’t have intimate sexual contact

  • Protect your sexual health - always use a new condom correctly and put it on before you have sex

Source: Health Service Executive (HSE), 2007

HPSC factsheet - Gonorrhoea