It’s coming up to that time of year again, chaps. Yes, Sexual Health Week is descending upon us like a skydiver without a parachute.
Emergency contraception is the focus this time round and, no, we are not talking about that mad dash to the garage to get some Johnnies when you suddenly realise your luck might be in. No, we are talking about condom splitting, unprotected drunken fornication type emergencies. When this occurs, it is most unbecoming for a gentleman to run around in circles screaming about the price of nappies, Mothercare loyalty cards and the awkwardness of fitting child seats in cars.
The first rule is: don’t panic. The second rule is: don’t panic.
Modern medicine has come up with a solution to allow you to ride in like the white knight and rescue your lady from the perils of unplanned pregnancy. Be that hero who reassures her that there are very straightforward and effective things that can be done.
She doesn’t even have to go to see her doctor if she doesn’t want to. Those spiffing pharmacists in most chemists can dole out the ‘morning after pill’ with a minimum of fuss or embarrassment. Trust me, my friends, there is nothing that can shock a pharmacist. These people will not judge you; they have seen it all. Chappie recently got wind of a true story about a pharmacist who was working the late shift and was shown a large intestinal worm in a Tupperware box. Beat that with your tales of sexual misadventure!
Seriously though, the ‘morning after pill’ is easy to get hold of from a GP’s surgery, a sexual health clinic, a chemist or a Walk-In Centre but get in there quick because the sooner it’s taken, the more effective it is. In fact, it’s around 95% effective if taken within the first 24 hours of having sex, 85% effective if taken in the next 24 hours and it all gets a bit unsure and scary if taken any later than that, to be honest.
These pills, handy though they are, do have some side effects which can include headaches, nausea, stomach ache, tiredness, irregular period type bleeding, dizziness and breast tenderness. Not everyone experiences all or, in fact, any of these side effects but if your girl is sick up to two hours after taking it then she will need to take another one.
All in all, there is definitely no need to panic when these things happen. Remember though, that this emergency contraception does not protect from sexually transmitted infections, hence why prevention is always better than cure.
The City of London Walk In Clinic offers 15% off any STI check-ups when you become a fan of their FB Page or follow & retweet a promotional post via @Walkin_Clinic. Be a man and check your chap!