Contraception and family planning
Contraception allows couples or women to plan their families/pregnancies and births safely. It is also very important to maintaining a healthy body and sex life.
How does family planning work?
‘Family planning’ or using contraception, allows you to make decisions about having children that feel right for you and your partner.
Family planning gives you the power to:
- decide when to have children;
-
not have children too young;
- decide how many children you want;
- plan your pregnancy and space your pregnancy;
- be in charge of your reproductive health (for example, if you have experienced pregnancy-related health issues);
-
avoid termination of pregnancy; and
- play a role in slowing population growth.
Remember
You do not need the permission of your partner (or parents) to get contraception from your doctor, clinic or hospital.
Condoms
It is advisable to
use a condom to protect yourself. Condoms (male and female) are the only form of contraception that offer good protection against both unplanned pregnancy and STIs, and HIV.
Condoms designed for the female body
When used properly, female condoms offer some protection against pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like
HIV.
Top tip
If you are a woman and looking for even stronger protection against unplanned pregnancy, consider using another form of contraception such as an oral contraceptive pill, IUD, Implanon, injectable (the pill) as well as using condoms.
The newer female condoms are easier and quite comfortable to use – simply insert the condom as you would a tampon. Female condoms allow you to take responsibility for your sexual health, as you can insert the condom well before you have sex. Make sure you use a new condom each time you have sex.
Female condoms are available for free at local, provincial and national clinics and hospitals.
City clinics and healthcare facilities offer a range of contraception options for free. Speak to your health care practitioner about the right contraception for you.
Condoms designed for the male body
When used properly, condoms offer some protection against pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
HIV and herpes. See the package for instructions on how to use the condom.
Here are some basic tips about using condoms designed for the male body:
- Condoms are not 100% safe, but they can help decrease your risks of falling pregnant or being infected with STIs.
- If you are going to use a lubricant, make sure it is water-based, oil-based lubricants (e.g. baby oil, Vaseline, hand cream) can cause the condom to break.
- Condoms should be stored in a dry, cool place – never in your wallet or any other small, warm space.
- Some glow in the dark, coloured or flavoured condoms do not offer as much protection against pregnancy or STIs - read the label to be sure and always check that the condom is
SABS approved.
- Put on a new condom before having sex again.
- Use condoms with oral and anal sex to protect yourself against
STIs.
- Condoms may mean some decreased sensitivity for guys but that doesn’t mean that there is no sensation at all - condoms can actually help men who have problems with early (premature) ejaculation.
- Condoms are generally one size fits all - few men are too large or too small for the average condom.
- Condoms can be bought almost anywhere, but they are also available for free at
City Health clinics, provincial and national clinics and hospitals
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