on contraceptives

Sexual education encompasses hygiene, safety, and consent in an effort to give individuals the necessary tools to make healthy choices. Although the modules for the proposed Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum in Ghana were designed to be age appropriate, it was rejected by the government in 2019. Now adolescents are left with their unanswered questions and very few trustworthy sources to ascertain guidance. Knowledge about your body and your rights should never be made to feel taboo. Treating sex like a forbidden practice will not make it go away. Remove the secrecy around sex and replace it instead with data and information. Youth would then be better equipped to make wise personal decisions.

But for now, about contraceptives…

• Contraceptives, A.K.A birth control, are used to prevent unintended pregnancies.

• 15+ contraceptive options are available with both non-hormonal & hormonal methods.

  • Hormonal contraceptives use hormones to prevent ovulation.

  • Non-hormonal contraceptives do not add any additional hormones to your body.

• A brief description of the most popular birth control methods:

  • Condoms, when used correctly, prevent both STIs and pregnancy. Male and female condoms exist. *Non-hormonal

  • The birth control pill is taken once a day, every day, at the same time of day whether you’ve had sex or not and does not protect against STIs. For women. *Hormonal

  • The birth control shot is administered about once every 3 months and does not protect against STIs. For women. *Hormonal

  • The birth control implant is a tiny, thin rod inserted into your arm by a nurse or a doctor. It can protect against pregnancy for up to 5 years. It does not protect against STIs. For women. *Hormonal

  • IUDs are long lasting birth control contraceptives inserted into the uterus. It can protect against pregnancy for 3-12 years depending on which kind is selected. It does not protect against STIs. For women. *Hormonal and non-hormonal options

  • Withdrawal, or the pull-out method, is when ejaculation occurs away from the vagina and does not protect against STIs. For men. (I would not recommend this method).

• The birth control pill is NOT the same as Plan B, the Lydia Post Pill, or any “morning after” pills. Those are emergency contraceptives pills (ECPs) intended for single use. Keyword: emergency.

• Birth control pills can also help to reduce menstrual cramps.

• Just because you’re on the pill doesn’t mean he should cum inside you every single time or it might throw off your vaginal pH balance.

  • Side effects of unbalanced pH include vaginal itching, irritation, infections, unusual discharge, and your coochie smelling like a barnyard animal.

    • In conclusion, get creative with where you let him finish.

• Side effects for contraceptives vary and could be exacerbated by your medical history, so it is very important to have an honest discussion with your doctor before deciding which method to pursue.

• Don’t be shy to ask your doctor for birth control if you are sexually active! Any non-medical judgment passed is highly unprofessional. Be unapologetic in all inquiries about your general and sexual health. *If you get pregnant, that doctor won’t be taking care of the baby for you.

• Only one form of birth control is 100% effective: abstinence.

! Disclaimer: I have 0 medical training, just sex.