Yes you do. The pill does not protect you or your partner from STIs. Also, if your partner forgets to take a pill, does not take it correctly or is ill, the effectiveness of the pill is lower and she could still get pregnant.

No they’re not. Condoms can provide protection from STIs and unplanned pregnancy. But if you want to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, it’s better if you and your partner use a condom along with another type of contraception.

Using 2 condoms is not better than 1 as they are more likely to break. It’s best to only use 1 condom at a time and put it on correctly.

The health-care provider asks this to be sure you are not pregnant prior to using the contraceptive of choice.

You may find it helps to remember the start date of your last menstrual period if you ask yourself some questions, such as:

• What was I doing the day I started my last period?
• Where was I when my period started?
• Who was I with when my period started?
• What day of the week was it when my period started – a weekday or a weekend day?
• Did I start my period on a holiday, special event, or market day?
• What was the weather like when my period started?
• What was I wearing the day I started my period?

If you are still unsure about the date of your last menstrual period, you can find out how far along your pregnancy is from a health-care provider trained in pre-natal care.

References:

– Medical abortion training guide (second ed.) K. L. Turner (Ed.). Ipas, 2013. https://ipas.azureedge.net/files/MEDABTGE14-MedicalAbortionTrainingGuide.pdf

– Ipas. (2019). Clinical updates in reproductive health. Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas. https://ipas.azureedge.net/files/CURHE19-april-ClinicalUpdatesInReproductiveHealth.pdf

Certain methods of contraception, when used correctly, are a highly successful way to prevent pregnancy. There is a wide range of safe and effective methods available, which you can get from a health facility and, in some cases, in a pharmacy or drug shop.

References

– Medical management of abortion (3.5 Post-abortion contraception). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/278968/9789241550406-eng.pdf?ua=1

– Ipas. (2019). Clinical updates in reproductive health (Medical abortion contraindications and precautions). Chapel Hill, NC: Ipas. https://ipas.azureedge.net/files/CURHE19-april-ClinicalUpdatesInReproductiveHealth.pdf

Most women begin to suspect they are pregnant if they are having sex and miss a menstrual period. The most common symptoms of early pregnancy include nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, and a need to urinate frequently. You can often confirm you are pregnant on your own using a urine pregnancy test bought from a reputable pharmacist or drug seller. If you are still unsure, you can obtain a pregnancy diagnosis at a health facility. You do not have to tell the health-care provider your desire for an abortion.

Reference:

– Safe abortion: Technical and policy guidance for health systems – 2nd ed. (2.1.1 Medical history) World Health Organization; 2012. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/70914/9789241548434_eng.pdf?sequence=1

You can date the pregnancy based on the first day of your last menstrual period. Using a calendar, count how many weeks and days have passed since the start date of your last menstrual period. There are also mobile apps and online calculators available:

• www.safe2choose.org
• Mobile apps available in Apple and Google Play Store:
  • Euki – Sexual health info & tracking
  • Safe Abortion (SA) – Hesperian Health Guides

If you are still unsure about the length of the pregnancy, you can find out from a health-care provider trained in pre-natal care. You do not need to disclose your desire for an abortion.

An ectopic pregnancy is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition of pregnancy. It happens when the fertilized egg begins to grow outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, using medication abortion drugs will not end the pregnancy. Using medication abortion pills will not cause an ectopic pregnancy. Extreme pain, especially on one side of your lower belly, may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. You must not delay seeking medical care if you suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy.

References:

– Safe abortion: Technical and policy guidance for health systems – 2nd ed. (2.1.6 Ectopic pregnancy). World Health Organization, 2012. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/70914/9789241548434_eng.pdf?sequence=1

– Medical abortion training guide (second ed.) K. L. Turner (Ed.). Ipas, 2013. https://ipas.azureedge.net/files/MEDABTGE14-MedicalAbortionTrainingGuide.pdf

– Clinical practice handbook for safe abortion (2.4 Medical abortion/Clinical considerations). World Health Organization; 2014 https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/97415/9789241548717_eng.pdf?sequence=1

No. Contraceptives work by preventing unplanned pregnancy by blocking sperm, disabling sperm before they reach the uterus, or suppressing ovulation.

Your partner shouldn’t feel the IUD during sex, once properly inserted only the strings are accessible in the vagina. If the strings are too long the service provider can trim them however, it is also important to visit your nurse/ doctor incase you suspect your IUD is not well positioned to prevent unplanned pregnancy