Contraception

[january_bug]

Not sure if you guys over here are up for debates, but I just wanted to ask something...

Here - it's been in the press that women should have better access to longer term contraception in order to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.

I would worry that this could lead to a further increase in STD/STIs as people (teenagers more so perhaps?) would feel condoms are less important once the risk of pregnancy is eliminated. It seems a risky policy to me.

What do you think?

PS - If this section is meant to be an informal doctors' surgery, then plesae do ignore me completely! :-)

[january_bug]

I do agree that reducing unwanted pregnancies is better than not doing so, but I just think the injections should be given with caution, and with education.

[Goodsoulette]

I think you are right, if you don't want a baby you will do anything to avoid getting pregnant. I would never have had contemplated unprotected sex as a teenager for fear of my bits rotting away. I was on the pill when I first had sex and believe it or not I made my boyfriend hood up twice to make sure i didnt get pregnant.

I think that long term contraception has too many unwantedd side effects we should be combinig the mini pill and condoms for teenagers.

[sparkyfire]

you can't stop sex, and adding contraception is going to help fix one of many problems that are associated with sex. However, how about the people who are responsible. Perhaps even faithful married couples. Perhaps they are not whating to have children be it financial or personal reasons? I think having thies options advailible are definatly helpful. Weigh the good with the bad. Is it worst to not have contraception and all the unwanted pregnancies or is it better to have contraception. How many unwanted pregnancies result in the child being abused, mistreated, abandoned, or even killed? Consider where world population is at this time. Without contraception things would be worst. Hopefully as more forms of contraception come out, things will improve for all of humanity (in the terms that I've layed out here).

[twopennorth]

I can't see the problem: surely sexual health practioners will be promoting condoms as well as alternatives and perhaps suggesting combinations where appropriate?

We can't presume that better contraception access will lead to a rush of people using the opportunity to cast caution to the wind and head off for the local bar to pick up a casual partner.

Long term contraception applies to people in long term committed relationships as well as those who are not. So do unwanted pregnancies.