You do not have to get a pap smear just to get birth control. If you are over 21, you do need to have your pap smear every 3 years, until age 30, then the recommendations change.

A great website is : https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Cervical-Cancer-Screening-Infographic

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Emergency contraceptives do not prevent pregnancy or protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Please make an appointment with a health care provider to talk about the different types of birth control available and to also talk about protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

We hope this helps!

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There is no evidence that any method of birth control causes cancer! That means you can safely use pills, the patch, the shot, the implant or an IUD. As with any medication, you and your health care provider would need to talk about your health history and your preferences to make the best decision for you.

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The easy answer is that the ring, like other birth control products, tricks the body into thinking that it is pregnant. This “trickery” occurs when the hormones in the ring (progestin and estrogen) are absorbed into the bloodstream from the walls of the vagina and keeps the ovaries from releasing eggs. The hormones also cause the cervical mucus to thicken, which keeps sperm from meeting with and fertilizing an egg. When the ring is removed, the body thinks that an egg was not fertilized and sheds the lining of the uterus. And so the cycle begins again with the reinsertion of a ring.

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CONDOMS:

Your wallet is not a good idea. Keeping them in a wallet in your
purse might seem useful, but it’s not: the friction of opening and
closing your wallet, and of other things rubbing against it, might rip the condom.

At home, condoms shouldn’t be exposed to sun or kept in hot weather.
Keep them somewhere cool, dry, and dark.

THE PILL

Do not keep the Pill in your bathroom – It has
to be kept away from moisture and heat. Keep it tightly sealed, don’t take the pills out of the packaging until you take them, and try to keep it at room temp.

NUVARING

The NuvaRing should be kept under 85 degrees fahrenheit at all times,
and for the first four months of their life span they need to be stored at under 77 degrees.

THE PATCH

It needs to be kept at 77 degrees fahrenheit. Although you can get away with hotter or colder temperatures very
briefly, and it needs to be kept in a dark, dry place. So no bathroom.

DIAPHRAGM:

Don’t store it with oil-based lubricants. Make sure it’s washed with soap and warm water before you put it away
each time.

SPONGE:

It needs to be kept somewhere cool and dark. And don’t get it wet: that activates the spermicide and it needs to be used immediately or thrown out.

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Stay on defense! Get free condoms at a Mississippi clinic near you: www.factnotfiction.com/clinic-finder

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Happy #CondomMonth! 🎉🎈

Need free condoms? Find a MS Clinic near you and get hooked up: www.factnotfiction.com/clinic-finder

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I’ve heard it said so many times –
“I know when to pull out.” How many guys are really able to pull out at the exact moment when they’re feeling the most pleasure? This is a very unreliable method because sometimes your partner can make mistakes. That’s why you should be on a reliable form of birth control. The pull out method is never a
good idea….trust me, I would know. I was created from, “I’ll pull out!” Matter of fact, a close friend of mine has a child now because he swore he knew when to pull out.

You can never be too safe. Birth control and condoms are best buds! But if you are just adamant on using the pull out method, it’s crucial to know what type of birth control is best for you. For example, you can be on the pill, Mirena, NuvaRing, Nexplanon, etc., but don’t just pick any old method! Pick what is best for you. Do some research. Know if you want to take something daily or if you want something you can forget about for a while. You can visit your local health department to get your birth control – sometimes even for free.

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“Will drinking affect my birth control?”

Great question! Let’s break this down:

• Alcohol won’t affect the way the IUD, implant, ring or patch works.
• Alcohol doesn’t change the effectiveness of the shot.
• Alcohol will only affect the pill if you throw it up because of drinking, or you drink so much that you forget to take it. (Drinking that much alcohol can be dangerous, so please be careful and be smart.)

Even though alcohol doesn’t mess with your birth control, mixing alcohol and sexual activities can be dangerous. Alcohol can cloud your judgment and make you do things you normally wouldn’t do sober (consent = a must). It can also make you forget to use a condom (or use one incorrectly), which can leave you susceptible to STIs and unplanned pregnancy.

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Need free condoms or confidential STI testing?

Find a clinic near you:www.factnotfiction.com/clinic-finder

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