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Being On Top is about choosing the contraception that’s best for you and your partner. There’s loads of different options out there, so we hope that this section will help you get to grips with the pros and cons for each one.

If there’s too much to get your head around, the three most important things to remember are:

#1 Always use a condom.
#2 Always use a condom.
#3 Always use a condom.

1What’s so good about condoms?
2We’re using the pill, do we still need a condom?
3Is that the same as going double-dutch?
4I’ve never used a condom before – what do I do?
5Practice? You mean on my own?
6What’s a C-Card?
7Ok, that’s enough about condoms – what are the others?

1What’s so good about condoms?

Where do we start?

  • They work: condoms are 98% effective (if used properly).
  • They are the only contraceptive that protects you against pregnancy AND Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
  • They are free and a range of them (all brand named) can be picked up anywhere you see the C-Card logo and from all ISIS sexual health services.
  • They are easy to use and, if you’re creative, can make your sex life even more fun – flavoured, coloured, ribbed, glow-in-the-dark, the list goes on…

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2We’re using the pill, do we still need a condom?

Definitely! The pill will stop you getting pregnant, but there’s still a chance that you could get an STI. Whatever contraception you are using, you should still use a condom to protect yourself against both pregnancy and infection.

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3Is that the same as going double-dutch?

Exactly! Going double-dutch means wearing a condom as well as using another type of contraception, whether that’s the pill, implant (rod), coil (IUD) or whatever. Double means two; dutch means… erm… answers on a postcard please.

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4I’ve never used a condom before – what do I do?

Practice! You have to use a condom correctly to make sure it does the job, but you also want to make sure you at least look like you know what you’re doing. So practice, following these quick steps:

  • Check the date on the pack. Be on the safe side – don’t use it if it’s out of date.
  • Take the condom out of the packet. Careful not to tear it as you rip the packet in the heat of the moment .
  • Put the condom over the tip of the penis.
  • If there’s a teat on the end of the condom, use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the air out of it.
  • Gently roll the condom all the way down the penis.
  • If it won’t roll down, you’ve probably got it on the wrong way around. If this happens, throw the condom away because it may have sperm on it. Try again with a new one.
  • After sex, make sure you take your penis out whilst it’s still erect. Hold the condom on to the bottom of your penis whilst you are taking it out.
  • Take the condom off and be careful not to spill any sperm. Throw the condom away in a bin, not down the toilet.

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5Practice? You mean on my own?

Yes! Find a quiet place and have a…private moment.

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6What’s a C-Card?

The C-Card scheme distributes free condoms and advice to 13–19-year-olds throughout North and South Sefton. It’s dead simple:

  • Register your details – all they need is your date of birth, ethnicity, postcode and gender (easy).
  • You can do this at any of the Registration sites that have the R sign
  • Once you’re registered you get 4 different types of service free of charge, depending on which sites you visit:
    • Registration sites: information on condom use, range of condoms available, advice on other sexual health services (e.g. clinics for contraception and sexually transmitted infections).
    • Pick-up sites: free condoms
    • Restricted sites: services for the site’s own users only. So for instance, a youth club might be a restricted site – only people who are members of the club are able to get free condoms there.
    • C-card Plus sites: Chlamydia testing services as well as free condoms and advice

To find your nearest site check the ISIS website – they’ll be glad to help:

North Sefton
Alchemy
3 Mornington Road, Southport, Merseyside PR9 0TS
Tel: 01704 885285
Email: fiona@alchemy.southport.gov.uk

South Sefton
Parenting 2000, 12 Alexandra Mount, Litherland, Liverpool L21 7PN
Tel: 0151 920 7137
Email: annmorris@parenting2000.org.uk

There’s loads more information on C-Card over here…

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7Ok, that’s enough about condoms – what are the others?

As we’ve said, there’s loads to choose from – see the links below. If you could even just start to get your head around each of these, it would help you make the right decision about what’s right for you and your partner. And you never know, being this On Top might help you land a partner in the first place!

These links take you off to the ISIS site in a separate window – don’t forget to come back here when you’re done.

With so many choices, there’s definitely one to suit you and your lifestyle. Remember, some options work for a long period of time (3-5yrs), which means you won’t put yourself at risk by forgetting to take a pill. These methods are called ‘long acting reversible contraceptives’ (LARC for short).

To help decide which one is best for you, click here to use the handy tool on the Brook website.

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