Having sex without birth control and not getting pregnant means you got lucky. You may get lucky multiple times, but this does not mean you are infertile. It means you are pushing your luck: 95% of young couples who have sex once a week are pregnant within a year. Most of us have heard that ‘it only takes one time.’ While that’s true, there are a lot of factors involved, and most couples who are actively trying to get pregnant get there within 6 months.
It doesn’t matter what position you’re in—reverse cowgirl, missionary, standing, whatever. Sperm + egg + sticking to the uterus = pregnancy.
A break is definitely the best thing for your body right after a pregnancy, but if you’re not exclusively breastfeeding in a very particular way, you can ovulate (or release an egg) as soon as three weeks after birth. So what’s a new mom to do? For starters, I’d recommend looking into the IUD, the implant, or the shot for birth control. All three of these methods are low-maintenance, effective, safe for new moms, and totally fine to use while breastfeeding.
Can you have herpes if you don't have any symptoms?
The herpes virus may be super-common, but there’s still a lot most folks don’t know about it. Our latest Provider Perspective post, “5 myths about herpes, busted” sets the record straight about a few things…
How to make sex safer in 4 simple steps
Know what’s better than switching from condoms to a more fool-proof form of birth control? Continuing to use condoms and getting on another method of birth control. Doubling up FTW (!) in our latest Provider Perspective.
If your partner is controlling your birth control, it is a sign of a larger relationship problem. All women should be able to protect their bodies from an unwanted pregnancy without threats or sabotage. You deserve to be with someone who respects you and your plans for the future—including when or whether you want to have a baby.
5 myths about the IUD, busted
Our latest Provider Perspective by Dr. Maria Rodriguez tackles 5 persistent myths about the IUD—namely, that the IUD is dangerous; that it’s a huge commitment; that it’s all pain and no gain; that you need a Pap smear before getting one; and that your partner will find it (physically) annoying. Any of these sound familiar? Read the article and pass it on!
Sometimes old ideas die hard. One good example is the old idea that you have to start taking the pill on a Sunday, or start it five days after your period begins. Research has shown that this is just plain wrong.
When I realize that I forgot to take my birth control
No need to panic! We have an article by Dr. Andrea Jackson about what to do if you forget to take your pill on time. And daily pill reminders (you can even “snooze” them!) so it doesn’t happen again. Just sayin’…
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Wait, there’s good news?
From our latest Provider Perspective post:
Part of the reason these bacterial STIs are so common is that they’re really contagious. Remember the pink-eye or lice epidemics that went through school when you were a kid? Bacterial STIs are that contagious, though fortunately they only spread during sex, not during recess. Unfortunately, if you have sex with somebody who’s got a bacterial STI and don’t use a condom or dental dam, chances are good that you’ll get it, too.
Nothing takes the sexy out of sexy times like worrying about STIs, but having a plan to avoid or deal with them will keep you healthier and sexier in the long run. And, bonus, some of the most common STIs can be prevented—and, if you get one, cured.
