Yes. Virginity has different meanings for different people. Some women and men believe they are preserving their virginity if they have sex play that does not involve vaginal intercourse. But they can still get certain sexually transmitted infections from anal, oral, and even kissing (such as herpes and syphilis).

Regular condom usage provides protection from both pregnancy and infection. Washing, douching, urinating immediately after sex, using special positions, antiseptics, creams etc, DO NOT prevent pregnancy or infection. Precum (few drops of clear liquid are formed at the tip of the penis much before ejaculation) contains sperm (that can lead to pregnancy), and HIV (if your partner is infected). Therefore, a man should wear the condom as soon as he gets an erection. Your partner can practice wearing a condom during masturbation.

Sex refers to the biological, anatomical, physiological and chromosomal difference between females and males present at birth such as the presence of a vagina or penis, menstruation or sperm production, difference in genetic make-up etc. Sex is also used to describe physical sexual acts that include, but are not limited to,  vaginal, anal, oral intercourse, masturbation and kissing among other acts.

Sexuality is the erotic aspect of the human experience throughout life, experienced in fantasies, desires, beliefs and behaviors. Aside from its reproductive aspects, sexuality encompasses gender identity, gender norms and roles and sexual orientations and identities. Also, sexuality is influenced by the interaction of social, biological, economic and political dimensions, particularly as constructed under patriarchal and heteronormative systems of power that run society.

Sexual orientation, on the other hand, describes and categorizes sexual attraction towards the other, mainly as whether attraction is towards people of the same sex/gender, a different sex/gender, or to more than one gender. Sexual orientation can be seen as categories (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual) or as a fluid description of sexual desire and attraction.

This may or may not be sexual harassment depending on how the office workers feel about his behavior. One person may find a situation uncomfortable and threatening while another may not. This can also change from context to context. E.g. – Telling the same jokes at an office party may be acceptable to his co-workers versus telling them during a work meeting, which may upset them. For this situation to not be considered sexual harassment, all of his co-workers or the co-worker must be comfortable with this behavior.

Gender is how societies view men and women, how they are distinguished, and the roles assigned to them. People are generally expected to identify with a particular gender, that has been assigned (gender assignment) to them, and act in ways deemed appropriate for this gender. While gender roles are based on expectations that a culture has of behavior appropriate for male or female, gender identity is an individual’s sense of belonging to the category of men or women or neither of the two. We attribute a gender (gender attribution) to someone.

Sex (male and female) describes a (usually) either/or categorization of humans based on their biology, whereas gender (men and women) describes the social dimension of these two categories. Gender is how societies view, and distinguish between, men and women not through their biology but through assigning gender norms (assigned masculine and feminine roles to thoughts, behaviors, dress codes, politics etc…). While gender roles are based on expectations that a culture has of behavior appropriate for men or women, gender identity is an individual’s sense of belonging to the category of men or women or neither of the two (gender queer, transgender, genderless…). People are generally expected to identify with a particular gender (either man or woman), which has been assigned (gender assignment) to them at birth based on a complex set of cues, which vary from culture to culture. These cues can range from the way a person looks dresses and behaves to the context in which they do so and also on their relationship with and use of power.

There are three main ways to test if you are pregnant: urine test, blood test, and an ultrasound.

• Urine test: It can be bought at any pharmacy and in some supermarkets. It can accurately detect pregnancy after a missed period; some can even detect it a few days before the missed period. The advantages of this method is that it is more affordable and you can do it in the privacy of your own home.
• Blood test: It can be done in most clinics and hospitals. Blood tests can detect a pregnancy earlier than a urine test, but they are more expensive.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasounds are done by gynecologists in private clinics, primary healthcare centers, and hospitals. They can detect whether or not you are pregnant and how far along you are in the pregnancy. 

For people who are not married, seeing a physician about pregnancy-related issues might be a difficult experience since many report being talked down to and being judged for getting pregnant out of wedlock. However, some of our callers do share positive experiences they’ve had with their physicians, so feel free to contact the hotline and see if there are friendly non-judgmental doctors in your area.

Some women prefer tampons to pads. You should use what you find most comfortable. Although it might take some time and effort to learn how to use a tampon, it is safe and convenient if used properly. A tampon can cause discomfort if it is not correctly inserted and/or positioned. If you are tense while inserting a tampon, it might hurt you. Read the instructions manual carefully to insert a tampon properly. Tampons must be changed every four to six hours to prevent infection. You might have developed a rash because you had not changed for a long time. Some people are also very sensitive to the material used in the tampon.

These are categories of sexual orientation that can either describe a behavior or an identity. As an identity, some people who are attracted to the opposite sex self-identify as heterosexual, some attracted to the same sex self-identify as homosexual and some attracted to both sexes self-identify as bisexual. Some women who are attracted to other women might label themselves lesbians and some men attracted to other men may label themselves as gay. These categories also refer to behaviors and not identities; you can read more about this in the next question.

If the penis is about 5cm long when erect, a man is perfectly capable of arousing and satisfying his partner. This is because it is in the first 4cm of a woman’s vagina that there are maximum nerve endings. These nerve endings are responsible for sensation. And, more than the vagina, it is the clitoris (located above the vaginal opening, just where the inner lips meet) that is sensitive to sensation. So if you and your partner were to concentrate on how you do what you do, whether it is with the penis or fingers or mouth, rather than the length of your penis, chances are that both of you will enjoy sex much more. Incidentally, the length of your penis has nothing to do with your ability to enjoy sexual pleasure either. It is the connection, chemistry, and technique, not size, that matters.

As the name suggests, an STD is transmitted through unsafe sex with an infected person. Symptoms of STDs vary and can appear within 1 week of exposure to 3 weeks. Symptoms of STD for men are quite easy to spot, usually appearing in/around the genital area. In women many STDs may not manifest symptoms initially. In men, symptoms include, a yellow/white discharge from the penis, inflammation of the testicles and prostate gland. A common symptom in women is a change in vaginal discharge – it may increase, become yellow or greenish, or develop a foul smell. Other symptoms common to all include boils/ blisters/ rashes, burning during urination and irritation and/or discharge from the anus. Untreated STDs can cause cervical and other cancers, chronic hepatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other complications. However, when diagnosed and treated early, almost all STDs are completely curable.

Not finding yourself in one gender identity, or not feeling like you belong to either, is very normal and common. Some people choose the identity of being gender non-conforming, others choose that of being non-binary, and that doesn’t necessary mean that you are confused or not picky. Gender, even though it is a social construct, is also very deep and personal. Finding a term that works for you, and an identification that represents that part of you can be a source of comfort.

Asexuality is a broad term that people of diverse sexual needs and desires, or lack of, can identify with. It is strongly associated with not prioritizing sexual needs and desires in one’s life and relationships. While many find asexuality and lack of sexual desire in general or towards other people to be an intrinsic part of themselves, others may think of themselves as asexual for reasons beyond innate lack of desire. It is different from celibacy in the sense that it is not driven by an avoidance of sex due to particular beliefs and values, but rather by one’s relationship with desire and needs. Asexual people may not have sexual relationships with others, but still fulfill their sexual needs through masturbation and forms of self-pleasure. However, asexual people can still form meaningful relationships with others that may or may not include sex. They may desire to be on their own, or have more intimate romantic relationships with asexual or sexual people. Just like any other identity, it does not necessarily define one’s sexual behavior and practices, but rather how they view themselves and relate to others for as long as it makes sense to them.

The thickness or circumference of the penis is really not of concern for sexual satisfaction. This is because the walls of the vagina are muscular and elastic and they can stretch or contract to accommodate anything that ranges in size from a little finger to a baby’s head. In fact, a very thick penis may scare your partner or put her off. Some degree of curvature of the penis is also normal.

Yes, a woman can get pregnant from pre-cum. Pre-cum is the fluid released by the penis as a lubricant when it is excited, and while it usually has no sperm or dead sperm, some sperm cells may still linger in it. This means that there is no guarantee that if intercourse happens during the women’s ovulation period, a pregnancy won’t happen.

It depends on the type(s) of HPV (human papilloma virus) a person has.

In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine, Gardasil, that protects against four of the 40 types of HPV that are sexually transmitted. Two of the types, 6 and 11, are the ones that cause 90 percent of the outbreaks of genital warts. The two others, 16 and 18, cause 70 percent of cases of cancer of the cervix. They are also associated with cancers of the vulva, penis, anus, or throat.

There is no clear evidence that the vaccine will protect an already infected person. Because, however, a person may be infected with one of the HPV types covered by the vaccine but not with another, the vaccine will protect against the HPV type(s) that a person does not already have. The new vaccine does not offer protection against all the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. So sexually active women are urged to continue to have regular Pap smear tests; a test that detects cervical cancer in its early, treatable stages.

Many women have “inhibited orgasm” — they have reached orgasm in the past, but no longer can, and some may have never had an orgasm at all. The truth is that about 70% of women are able to reach orgasm during clitoral masturbation and only 30% from vaginal intercourse, yet most are made to feel that something is wrong with them if they don’t have vaginal orgasms. In cultures like ours, that place a high value on vaginal intercourse, many women do not receive sufficient clitoral stimulation to bring them to orgasm more quickly, if at all. In most kinds of partnered sex play — manual, body-rubbing, oral, anal, or vaginal — a man’s penis is directly stimulated. This is often not true for a woman’s clitoris.

Some women who cannot reach orgasm do not feel that orgasm is important for their sexual experience. Some women feel cheated. Some women “fake” orgasm in order to end sex play or to please their partners, who may not realize that they aren’t reaching orgasm. Masturbating can help you relax with your body and listen to its sexual wants. Once one is more comfortable with themselves then the frustration of not climaxing with a partner would not be as upsetting. Afterwards you may give yourself time to experience that with your partner with the reassurance that you can achieve orgasms but just awaiting till you reach that with your partner. Remember to open the lines of communication with your partner, here are some tips on communicating with a partner.

Abortions can be done in multiple ways depending on the pregnant person’s circumstances and preferences. While both methods are very efficient at ending a pregnancy, there are pros and cons to each that can help you make a decision that works for you:

1. Medical abortion: it is done by taking pills that can help you end a pregnancy, and depending on where you live and your circumstances, it can either be done in hospital/clinical environment or at home. The main pill to be taken is misoprostol (also known as cytotec) with an efficiency of 90-95%, but can be supported with mifepristone, raising the efficiency rate up to 99%. Many women prefer this method because it’s cheaper, can be done at home, and is not an invasive procedure.
2. Surgical abortion: it is performed through different surgical procedures depending on what stage of pregnancy you’re in and how much money you have. Surgical abortions include curettage, aspiration abortion, and dilation and evacuation abortion (D&E). It is more expensive, but has an efficiency rate of 100%. However, it can lead to complications if not performed well. Many women prefer this method for the convenience of ending the pregnancy within half an hour, the possible added assurance of having medical staff around, and the discretion of doing it in a hospital/clinic if you live with others at home.

Yes, it is possible. HPV, the human papilloma virus, can be passed from partner to partner through any intimate skin-to-skin activity. Women who have sex with women, and men who have sex with men, and people who have sex with the other sex are all at risk for becoming infected with HPV and many other sexually transmitted infections.

Most often, HPV infections resolve on their own. But in some cases they stay. And certain kinds of HPV can lead to cervical cancer. That’s why it is very important for women who have sex with women, whether or not they identify as lesbians, to have periodic gynecological visits and Pap tests to detect abnormal growths in the cervix that could lead to cancer. Early detection and treatment save thousands of women’s lives.

Not necessarily. Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure that involves stretching open the cervix with medication and/or instruments called dilators and then removing all or part of the uterine lining — the endometrium — with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette. D&C is done for many reasons. It may be done to:

• perform an abortion
• remove remains of the placenta after childbirth or miscarriage
• diagnose or rule out endometrial cancer
• diagnose or remove suspected polyps
• diagnose and treat problems with heavy or abnormal bleeding
• follow up on Pap or other tests that indicate abnormalities in the uterus

That question is as difficult to answer as ‘what causes heterosexuality?’ No one knows for sure. Some foolishly suggest that maybe a person turned lesbian because she had a bad experience with a man, or a man became gay because a woman mistreated him. If this were truly the case, then there should be many more lesbian and gay people, shouldn’t there?

Yes, it can happen. It is possible for a woman to get pregnant from intercourse during her period, especially if her menstrual cycle is brief.

It is also possible that a woman may think she is having her period when she is not. It is also possible to get pregnant during breakthrough vaginal bleeding.

It’s not only women with short cycles who need to be careful about unprotected vaginal intercourse during menstruation. Even when cycles are long and regular, ovulation may occur on different days in different cycles.

No. Shaving, dousing with kerosene, hot baths, and other so-called remedies won’t work. Scabies and pubic lice are tiny insects are parasites that may be transmitted through sexual and intimate contact or from infested bed sheets and clothing. Symptoms usually include intense itching of the genitals and anus. To get rid of these parasites one needs to shower with a medication from neck-to-toe and dry clean or boil all towels, bed sheets, and clothes exposed. Treat the partner as well to avoid re-infection.

Scabies and pubic lice are highly contagious and condoms in this case can’t completely protect from infection because they don’t cover all the areas that are.

Painful intercourse has many causes.

In women, the causes are more varied and complex: There may be vaginal dryness, which could be caused in two ways. It could be that a woman is not aroused enough to lubricate because there has not been enough foreplay before penetration. Or, she may not have enough of the hormone estrogen in her system to create lubrication. This type of vaginal dryness is often associated with perimenopause or menopause. Other physical causes include endometriosis, infection, yeast overgrowth, or allergic reaction to latex or spermicide.

Emotional causes of painful intercourse for women include gender identity conflict, a history of rape or incest, or intense childhood suppression of sex, all of which can lead to vaginal spasms that prevent penetration. Other emotional causes include hostility, anger, or resentment toward her partner or previous partners.

It is best to consult a health care professional to determine the cause and get the best treatment.

If your period is late, that might be caused by many reasons, such as stress, weight fluctuation, the weather, or medication. Sometimes it’s an indication of something more serious, and in case it is persistent, it’s advisable to see a physician. If you have had sex recently, it could mean you are pregnant. In that case, you can do a urine test the first day after your missed period.

Many women and men find that the longer they postpone orgasm, the stronger it is. Many women also find that clitoral stimulation during vaginal intercourse makes orgasm more likely and more powerful. Both women and men can do exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that play a very important role in orgasm. Kegel exercises are done by tightening and relaxing the muscles used to stop urination. Strengthening these muscles can also alleviate urinary incontinence, improve sexual sensation, and aid muscle tone recovery from childbirth. Because they are internal muscle exercises, they can be done privately anywhere, anytime. Kegels should be done five times in a row, several times a day:

1.     Tighten pelvic muscles a little, and hold for five seconds.

2.     Tighten a little more, and hold for five seconds more.

3.     Tighten as much as possible, and hold for another five seconds.

4.     Relax the muscles in reverse steps, holding five seconds at each step.

Many people are concerned to a greater or lesser degree with some aspect of their appearance. If looking good becomes a significant distress or handicap in at least one area of your life then it my be defined at body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). For example, someone with BDD might avoid certain social and public situations to prevent themselves from feeling uncomfortable and worrying that people are rating them negatively. Alternatively a person may enter such situations but remain very self conscious. He or she may camouflage themselves excessively to hide their perceived defect by using heavy make up, brushing their hair in a particular way, changing their posture, or wearing heavy clothes. They may spend several hours a day thinking about their perceived defect and asking themselves questions that cannot be answered (for example, ”Why was I born this way?”, “If only my nose was straighter and smaller”) They may feel compelled to repeat frequently certain time consuming behaviors such as:

• Checking their appearance in a mirror or reflective surface
• Seeking reassurance about their appearance
• Checking by feeling one’s skin with one’s fingers
• Cutting or combing their hair to make it “just so”.
• Picking their skin to make it smooth.
• Comparing themselves against models in magazines or people in the street

While BDD is a very medical term we need to remember that the social context in different places of the world may skew the intensity of it. In Lebanon looking good is too connected to being “decent” “classy” “clean” and from “good” upbringing; all of which are also problematic.

Anal sex has a high risk of transmitting infection and does not completely prevent pregnancy. This is because, the distance between the anus and the vagina is not much and few drops of semen may spill into the vagina during anal sex. Also, condoms and lubricants are essential here since the anal area is a breeding ground for a number of viruses and bacteria and there is more risk of injury in anal sex because it is less elastic and dryer than the vagina. These factors make transmission of infection from one partner to another easier. If you practice anal sex, always use a condom and a water- based lubricant, like KY Jelly. Using oil or cream causes infection and damages the latex of the condom.

Pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy after a missed period — some can even detect it before a missed period.

Despite what some people think, pregnancy doesn’t start the day a couple has intercourse. It can take up to seven days after sex for the sperm and egg to join and form a fertilized egg. Then, it can take up to eight days, or more, for the fertilized egg to bury itself in the lining of the uterus. Pregnancy begins when this happens.

If you do not want to be pregnant and you’ve had unprotected vaginal intercourse, don’t wait to find out two weeks later with a pregnancy test. Emergency contraception can be started within 120 hours (five days) after intercourse. Emergency contraception is available without a prescription from pharmacies, under the name NorLevo or PlanB.

Women are fertile for about 40 years. Some women need more than one abortion with pills. Having a safe abortion, or more than one safe abortion, does not impact a woman’s health or ability to have children in future.

No, it’s not true. Post-traumatic stress disorder is recognized as a legitimate psychological diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association. So-called “post-abortion syndrome” is not.In fact, severe emotional disturbance after childbirth, sometimes referred to as postpartum psychosis, occurs somewhat more frequently than severe emotional disturbance after abortion. Interestingly, research has shown that rates of post-partum psychosis decrease in societies that legalize abortion.

Studies suggest that while severe emotional disturbance following abortion is very rare, it is more likely for women who have

• delays in getting abortion
• medical or genetic reasons to abort a wanted pregnancy
• severe pre-existing or concurrent psychiatric illness
• conflict over abortion

Feeling emotional disturbance after an abortion doesn’t have to be restricted to any of these reasons either, and it is important to recognize the validity of feelings of loss or sadness even if you are terminating an unwanted pregnancy. At the same time, studies suggest that the majority of women who have abortions experience relief after.

Antidepressants are of many categories one of which is called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, and Paxil. SSRIs are used to treat depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and other conditions, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder. A possible side effect of SSRIs includes decreased sex drive and/or more difficult orgasm — for women and men. Each SSRI may have different effects on different people.

Talk with your health care provider if you feel this medication affecting your sex life. Your provider may be able to substitute a different SSRI or a different kind of medication.

Similarly, share with your partner any concerns you may have about changes in your sex drive — no matter what the reasons may be. It may be difficult to assure partners that one’s feelings are not about them, but it is worth trying — communication is everything. Understandably, partners may find it difficult to accept that their significant other’s appetite for sex has changed, especially if it needs to be for an extended or indefinite period of time.

Vulvas can change in color and sometimes become darker as we grow, particularly around the labias (also called lips). This is very normal for most people, and the change is often the result of changes in hormones, such as puberty, taking pills, pregnancy, and so on. Labias also get darker when aroused as a result of the blood rushing into the area. There’s no reason to worry when that happens, it’s very normal. Unless there’s bumps, scars, pimples, warts or rashes, it’s most likely to be just that.
Sometimes shaving darkens the area around the vulva as well and causes ingrown hairs. Moisturizing the area helps reduce the irritability and dryness caused by shaving.

No. Most women feel relief after an abortion. Serious emotional problems after abortion are much less likely than they are after giving birth. People who are anti-abortion may make false claims about this. They want people to believe that most women who choose abortion suffer severe and long lasting emotional trauma that they label “post abortion trauma”. This is not true.

Scientific studies over the last 20 years have found that emotional reactions to having abortion are relatively positive with two exceptions; women who had psychological problems before the pregnancy and women who have to terminate a wanted pregnancy.

Condoms are an important part of safer sex, but safer sex means more than just using condoms. Safer sex is a relative term. It is anything you decide to do to lower the risk of becoming infected or infecting someone else with a sexually transmitted infection. Here are some examples:

• If you decide to have sexual intercourse, using a latex or female condom makes it safer.
• If you decide to have oral sex instead of unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, it is safer
• If you decide to have protected oral sex (condoms or dental dams used) instead of unprotected oral sex, it is safer.
• If you decide to rub against each other with your clothes off instead of having intercourse or oral sex, it is safer. Rubbing against each other with your clothes on is even safer.
• If you decide to masturbate each other instead of rubbing against each other with your clothes off, it is safer.
• If, after masturbating each other, you wash your hands before touching your own genitals, it is even safer.
• If you decide to masturbate alone or have phone sex or cybersex instead of physical contact with someone else, it is even safer.

There are four routes of transmission for HIV:

1. Unprotected sex with an infected person.
2. Infected mother to child, either during pregnancy, delivery or through breast feeding.
3. Through contaminated blood and blood products (including organ and tissue transplants)
4. Sharing of unsterilized used infected needles, syringes and other medical equipments like dentists’ instruments.

The pregnancy hormone, HCG (human chorionic gonadatropin), can remain in the body for up to 60 days after an abortion. Similarly, HCG levels can be measurable for weeks after childbirth. This can lead to pregnancy tests with false positive results for women who take home pregnancy tests.

Women who use home pregnancy tests and who are concerned that pregnancy is continuing or another pregnancy has occurred can consult their health care provider to test for the precise levels of HCG in the blood, or have an ultrasound to check.

HIV test do not look for the presence of HIV in the body: they look for the presence of antibodies produced by the immune system when it encounters HIV. It may take up to 3 months for the body to produce enough HIV antibodies to produce a positive test result. This three month period between infection and a positive test is known as the window period. During this time a person is already infected and capable of spreading HIV.

Yes. There are many health conditions in which abortion may become critical to protect a woman's life. There is, for example, a form of pregnancy-related high blood pressure that can be life threatening. The medical term for it is preeclampsia. It occurs in seven percent of pregnant women. If it is untreated or doesn't respond to treatment, it can lead to convulsions, failure of various organ systems, coma, or death. Abortion may be the only way to save the woman's life.

Certain other conditions, such as severe diabetes, heart disease, or trauma from car accidents, may also require abortion to save a woman's life. Termination of pregnancy is also essential to save the life of a woman with an ectopic/tubal pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus).

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg is implanted outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. It is not a valid pregnancy and is often categorized as a medical emergency since it eventually bursts in the body if not terminated in time. Terminating an ectopic pregnancy is not considered an abortion, and even in countries where abortion is criminalized or legally restricted, its termination is a healthcare issue that does not fall under such penal codes. 

It is often accompanied by severe abdominal pain. And while it cannot be detected as ectopic through a urine test, it will show on an ultrasound. So if you have an ectopic pregnancy, the next step is to get it terminated medically or surgically.

The virus is embedded in blood, semen, or vaginal fluids, none of which can get through an intact condom. Condoms offer the best protection against sexually transmitted infections for sexually active people and they protect against unintended pregnancy.

Latex condoms offer very good protection against HIV making the risk of HIV transmission with a condom reduced by as much as 10,000 times. They also reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HPV (human papilloma virus), PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

Having sex can introduce bacteria into the vagina and urethra, causing urinary tract infections (UTIs). That could create a burning sensation during urination. When you sleep after sex you leave the bacteria to grow and then the next morning it burns but you would have cleaned out your urinary tract. What could help is to always remember to pee after you have sex so that you clean out your tract and avoid the burning feeling later.

Many women dont get symptoms for STIs, condoms are protective, but it would be good to have regular checkups for STIs and especially in the case of unprotected sex.

No. There is no truth to this at all. Many studies, including one of 1.5 million women in Denmark, have found no link between cancer and abortion — none.

No. Abortion ends a pregnancy. Emergency contraception (EC) cannot end a pregnancy. EC works before a pregnancy begins. Pregnancy begins with the implantation of the developing fertilized egg in a woman’s uterus.

EC can be started within five days of unprotected intercourse. It prevents ovulation — the release of the egg. Or it prevents fertilization — the joining of the sperm and the egg — which usually occurs within six days of intercourse. In theory, it’s possible for EC to prevent implantation, but implantation doesn’t occur until five to seven days after fertilization. To read more about emergency contraception, click here.

No, the daily combined oral pill cannot be used as an emergency contraception because most brands do not contain levonorgestrel, the main component responsible for preventing ovulation and implantation of a fertilized egg. Contrary to popular belief, taking multiple daily combined oral pills at once does not carry out the same impact.
Most common brands such as Yasmin, Yaz, Diane, and Diva do not contain levonorgestrel. However, few brands do and if administered properly, can act as an emergency contraceptive. In Lebanon for example, microgynon, a daily combined oral pill, does have levonorgestrel, and when taken through the yuzpe method, acts as an emergency contraception.

It’s a common myth, but it’s not true. IUDs — intrauterine devices, increasingly referred to as IUCs (intrauterine contraceptives) — are among the safest, most effective, and least expensive methods of birth control available. In fact, they are the most popular form of reversible birth control in the world. More than 85 million women use IUDs.

The myth started in the 1980s. An insufficiently tested, defective brand of IUD — the Dalkon Shield — had to be removed from the market because of the damage it caused, including infections that led to infertility. Today’s IUDs are safe, effective, and do not cause infertility.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause infertility, not IUDs. If you have an IUD inserted while you have an STI, you increase your chance of infertility. That’s why most health care providers test for STIs before inserting IUDs.  IUDs do not protect against STIs.

An internal condom is a polyurethane pouch that has a flexible ring at both ends. It is approximately 7 centimeters wide and 18 centimeters long, and is inserted in the vagina. Its efficacy is known to be around 79-95%. It reduces the risk of STI and HIV transmission. It can be used by those with latex allergies and can be inserted up to 8 hours prior to intercourse. It can increase pleasure for both partners because the rim of the outer ring stimulates the clitoris and testes during sex. It does not affect fertility. However, it can be expensive and sometimes produces a noisy crackling sound during intercourse. Also, some women find it difficult to insert.
Usage: Add lubricant. Insert the closed end of the condom deep into the vagina to cover the cervix. The open end stays outside the vagina to partially cover the labia. After sex, remove the condom by twisting the outer ring and pulling it out gently to avoid spilling any semen.
Precaution: Do not use the external and internal condom together. Recommendations for the internal condom indicate a single usage for each condom. However, there is research being done to study whether disinfecting and cleaning an internal condom can allow for multiple usage.