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Top Questions and Answers
Q: I had sex with a guy a while ago and we didn't use a condom and now I have this itching down there. Could I have something?
A: Any time you have sexual intercourse, especially without a condom, there is a chance you may acquire a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You may not even know if you or your partner(s) has one because often you don't show any symptoms if you get one. The itching around your genitals could be an STI or it could be some other kind of infection or irritation. It would be a good idea to get it checked out by a doctor and have yourself tested for STI's. If you don't feel comfortable going to your family doctor, I'll include a list of health resources where you can get tested. Many STI's can be tested with a blood test or swab. It's best to have this done as soon as possible so you can get treated as soon as possible. Let us know if you have more questions or concerns.
Q: I haven't gotten my period in a week or so and I'm totally afraid because I think I may be pregnant. What can I do?
A: It can be really scary to be faced with an unplanned pregnancy, but there are options and supports available out there. The first thing you need to do is find out if you are pregnant or not. The only way to know if you are pregnant or not is to have a pregnancy test done. You can buy one at a pharmacy or get one done at a community health center or doctor's office. If you are pregnant, you can choose to go through with the pregnancy and place for adoption, parent the baby, or you can terminate the pregnancy (have an abortion). All these options are legal in Canada. It's hard to know what to do. You may want to talk over these options with a counsellor, parents, adults whom you trust, or your partner. As well, there are unplanned pregnancy and birth control counsellors available free of charge at community health clinics and public health offices. They can go into all three options in more detail and help you to figure out what you would like to do.
Q: I want to go on the birth control pill, but I don't want my parents to know. Do I need their permission to start using the pill?
A: No, your doctor cannot share any information on your medical file with your parents without your permission. But, you may not feel comfortable going to your family doctor or pediatrician about the birth control pill. There are many teen drop-in clinics in Winnipeg where you can get a birth control pill prescription. At these clinics you don't need an appointment and the services are very teen friendly. If you aren't in Winnipeg you should go to the community health centre in your area for a prescription and you do not need your parent's permission. I'll include a list of these with this email. Talking with your parents can be a good idea. If you want to start a conversation, try something like "I think it's time we talked about birth control." or "You know, Lee and I are getting pretty serious about each other."
Q: My girlfriend and I had sex a few nights ago and she isn't on the pill and we didn't use a condom. Could she be pregnant?
A: Any time you have unprotected sex there is a chance your girlfriend could become pregnant. However, the only way only way to know if she is pregnant or not is to have a pregnancy test done. You can buy one at a pharmacy or get one done at a community health center or doctor's office. The best way to prevent pregnancy is to use birth control (the Pill, sponge, diaphragm, Depo shot), and Condoms are really important to protect yourselves from sexually transmitted infections as well. Do you have any questions about birth control? If your girlfriend is pregnant, there are options. Let us know if have any more questions or concerns.
Q: I just got my period but it's not my usual period. It's really light and not the same colour. Could I still be pregnant?
A: A woman gets her period when some of the lining of her uterus sheds away at the end of each cycle. If a woman were pregnant the thicker lining would be needed to nourish the fertilized egg. However, some women do have light bleeding or spotting when they are pregnant. Although it is usually not like their normal periods, a woman may mistake this bleeding for her period and not know she is pregnant. The only way to know if you are pregnant or not is to have a pregnancy test done. You can buy one at a pharmacy or get one done at a community health center or doctor's office. If you are not pregnant, there are many reasons why your period may have changed. Stress, change in eating or sleeping habits, different exercise regime or starting the pill or Depo can change the flow and timing of your period. If you aren't pregnant, but this continues, you should speak to your doctor about it.
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