Your questions answered
Q1: What is your confidentiality policy?
Our confidentiality policy is: ‘We wont tell anyone you've been to see us, and we wont pass on your details to anyone UNLESS we think you are being seriously hurt, or at risk of being hurt, or harming someone else, but we will talk to you about this first'.
If you lose your card you will have to register all over again, so keep your card somewhere safe. It might be worth making a note of the 8 digit number on the back of the card somewhere safe, such as your phone, this will make it easier to re-register you if you lose your c-card.
Q3: I'm not in a sexual relationship at the moment; can I still join the c-card?
Yes, of course. This is not a problem and shows you are thinking about your sexual health so that you will be prepared when you feel ready to have a sexual relationship. If you are aged between 13 and 25 you can register for the c-card.
Getting free condoms does not mean you have to have sex, it's about being prepared and getting clued up about safer sex! If you have any questions or something you are unsure about, speak to a c-card worker, they are trained to speak to you about your sexual health and are here to help.
Q4: Can I get FREE condoms if I don't have a c-card?
You can't access FREE condoms as part of the c-card scheme unless you have registered to the c-card and been given your own c-card key fob.
If you don't want to be part of the c-card scheme there are many places you can buy condoms. Places such as chemists and supermarkets stock a range of condoms, although condoms can be expensive.
There are a number of venues throughout the city that have condom vending machines where you can buy condoms at a reduced cost of 20p. If you are nervous or embarrassed to speak to somebody about getting condoms this might be for you? But remember, c-card workers are trained to speak to young people about sexual health, so there is no need to feel embarrassed.
Remember! If you are buying condoms to always check the expiry date and that its ‘kite' or CE marked, this means they are made to European standards.
Q5: Why should I have a Chlamydia screen?
There are many reasons to have a Chlamydia screen, for a start it costs nothing and it's simple and painless.
Nationally about 2 in 25 sexually active young people who are tested have Chlamydia, yet most people who have Chlamydia have no signs or symptoms and won't know they have got it.
Without proper treatment the infection can cause serious and long-term complications.
How do you screen for Chlamydia?
You will be asked to give a urine sample in a pot (pee in a pot) both men and women can do this, or, instead a women can choose to take a swab from the lower vagina (a cotton wool bud is used to wipe the area). Your screen will then be sent away to a lab and you'll be notified by a letter, text or phone call (depending on which you chose).
There is no pain involved and it can be easily treated if you do test positive. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, so can be easily cured by antibiotics.
For more information on ‘Got It?'- Coventry's Chlamydia screening programme go to: www.got-it.org.uk
Q6: What do I need to do if the condom splits during sex?
There is a risk of both pregnancy and STI's if you have unprotected sex. If you are not using another form of contraception such as the pill or 'LARC' (Long Acting Reversible Contraception) you should access Emergency Contraception:
- Emergency pills - must be started up to 3 day (72 hours) after sex. They are most effective if started within 24 hours of sex.
- An IUD - may be fitted if it is more than 72 hours (and no more than five days) since unprotected sex. This may not be suitable for everyone.
In Coventry 'asc' pharmacies (Action Support on Pregnancy in Coventry) provide FREE emergency contraception (morning after pill) and pregnancy testing to women 25 and under in a number of pharmacies around Coventry.
For a full list of ASC pharmacies in Coventry go to:
http://www.coventryhealthhub.nhs.uk/Pages/EmergencyContraception.aspx
Both forms of Emergency Contraception can also be accessed at a CASH (Contraception and Sexual Health) clinic in Coventry.
For more information on CASH clinics please call:
CASH at Cov and Warks Hosp (Spire Suite)
For more information or to book an appointment contact: (024) 7684 4105
CASH at One Stop Shop (10 Greyfriars Road)
For more information call 024 7660 7900
You should also access a sexual health clinic to check that you haven't caught an STI.
Q7: My girlfriends/ I'm on the pill so we don't need to use condoms?
That isn't true. The Pill helps prevent unplanned pregnancy but offers no protection against STI's. The Double Dutch method (Another form of contraception and use of a condom) is best to help prevent unwanted pregnancy and STI's.
Q8: What different types of contraception are there?
There are many different methods of contraception available.
It's best to ask a trained nurse or doctor for advice for what method is best for you. We have listed some of the most popular methods that young people tend to use.
Contraception aims to prevent pregnancy, but nothing is 100% effective apart from not having sex at all. If you are using contraception, and want it to work well, you have to use it every time you have sex and use it properly (always read the instructions or ask a professional). The Double Dutch method (Another form of contraception and use of a condom) is best to help prevent unwanted pregnancy and STI's.
Male Condoms
Male condoms are barrier methods of contraception. They stop sperm meeting an egg. A male condom fits over a man's erect penis and is made of very thin latex (rubber) or polyurethane (plastic).
Male Condoms are free with the c-card scheme.
Condoms are the only form of contraception that prevent pregnancy and stop sexually transmitted infections passing from one person to the other.
The Pill
There are different types of pills that work in slightly different ways - a sexual health specialist such as your doctor or a nurse will advise you on the best one for you. Be honest about your lifestyle e.g. some pills are better suited to people who smoke so say if you smoke. Some pills must be taken at the same time each day, if you think you'll forget to take the pill when you should ask if there are other types of contraception that may be better suited for you.
The pill won't work if you vomit (throw up), take antibiotics or forget to take it at the right time, so use condoms and get some advice as soon possible if you think your pill will fail.
Contraceptive Injection (Depo-Provera)
This contraception is injected in your bottom and will last for 12 weeks; you'll have to get a new injection every 12 weeks at a clinic or through a doctor. It is a popular choice for teenage girls, who don't want to have to remember to take a pill every day.
Implants
An implant is a small flexible rod that is placed just under your skin in your upper arm. It is a very effective, method of contraception, which protects you from pregnancy for up to 3 years.
‘LARC'
You will often hear people talk about ‘LARC' as a method of contraception, this stands for ‘Long Acting Reversible Contraception' and is a term used to describe alternative types of contraception to the pill, condoms or diaphragms. The most common methods of ‘LARC' are:
- Intrauterine Device (IUD)
- IUD (Intrauterine System (IUS)
- Contraceptive implant
- Contraceptive injection
If you would like more information about contraception we would recommend speaking to your GP or going to a CASH clinic (Contraception and Sexual Health)
CASH (Contraception and Sexual Health Services)
CASH services are available at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital and One Stop Shop (10 Greyfriars Road)
