The right contraception

All content is checked by medical journalists.

The "first time" is an exciting thing: where do you want it to happen? Will it be nice for both of them? Now, please, nothing should go wrong! When the two of you are ready to sleep together, you should think about a suitable method of contraception in good time.

There are many ways of preventing birth control, but not every method is equally suitable for everyone. It is good if you take your time to find out about contraception before the first time. Many teenagers choose condoms or the pill. Both are relatively safe, but require some preparation. And: contraception is not an issue for boys or girls. Contraception concerns both of you. Don't rely on the fact that your boyfriend is sure to get condoms, or that your girlfriend is sure to be taking the pill. It is important that you talk about how you plan to use contraception - even if you may find the topic embarrassing or unromantic. Otherwise, in the heat of the moment, things can easily go wrong.

Paying attention is not enough!

By the way, just paying attention is completely unsuitable as a method of contraception. In the so-called "coitus interruptus", which means something like "interrupted sexual intercourse", the boy pulls his penis out of the vagina before orgasm - and thus ejaculation. You are not protected against pregnancy, because sperm can escape from the penis even before the effusion without the boy noticing. In addition, the boy needs extreme willpower and body control for this technique. This is hardly possible with sexual arousal.

Basically: As soon as seminal fluid gets into the girl's vagina, there is a possibility that the girl will become pregnant. This can happen during petting, for example, and of course whenever the boy penetrates the girl - even the very first time.

The sperm survive in the girl's body for two to five, sometimes even seven days. Since young girls often have a very irregular menstrual cycle and can theoretically ovulate at any time, there is always a risk of pregnancy. A girl can get pregnant even before her first menstrual period and also during menstruation. Therefore, you should consistently use contraception during every sex.

Condoms provide double protection

Condoms are a simple and relatively cheap method of contraception. The Pearl Index of condoms is between 2 and 12. This number is used to classify the safety of a contraceptive. A value of 2 to 12 means that out of 100 women who use this method of birth control for a year, 2 to 12 will become unintentionally pregnant. The wide range shows that the better you master the use of condoms, the safer this method of contraception is. In one relationship, condoms are unbeatable: They are the only contraceptive protection against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Fortunately, the days when the pharmacist shamelessly rummaged through condoms under the counter are over. Branded condoms with CE approval are now available in every drugstore. Automatic condoms do not always meet the quality standards and are therefore less recommended. Always pay attention to the expiration date of condoms. If it has expired or the package is damaged, the rubber belongs in the trash.

Condoms have to fit well - that is, not too tight, not too wide and not too short on the erect penis. There is always an outside and an inside. Some condoms are additionally coated with a sperm-killing gel on the inside. Working with condoms takes some practice. It is best if the boy tries it out in peace and quiet in an undisturbed place before having sex for the first time.

Better safe than sorry: the pill

The contraceptive pill, or simply the pill, is the safest contraceptive with a Pearl Index of 0.1 to 0.9. It is not for nothing that most young girls and women use the pill sooner or later. It contains artificial female hormones (estrogens and gestagens).These prevent egg cells from maturing in the ovaries, inhibit ovulation and keep the natural plug of mucus in the cervix stable so that sperm cells cannot migrate into the uterus. In addition, the pill inhibits the build-up of the uterine lining so that a fertilized egg cannot implant.

The pill has to be prescribed for you by a gynecologist (or a gynecologist). If you have never had sexual intercourse and are symptom-free, no pelvic examination is required. There are different preparations that contain different hormones in different amounts. The doctor can advise you which pill is best for you. So that the pill provides reliable protection, you have to take the tablets exactly as described in the package insert, preferably at a fixed time during the day. If you've forgotten it, you can take it back within 12 hours. If more than 12 hours have passed, the pill is no longer safe for this cycle.

Diaphragm, vaginal ring and Co.

If you don't want to think about the pill all the time, there are a few other hormonal contraceptives that can protect you from pregnancy. For example, some use hormone sticks that are implanted under the skin or hormone patches that you can stick on the skin. Some also use a vaginal ring. This is pushed into the vagina and only replaced once a month.

On the other hand, the spiral or copper chain is less suitable for young girls, because it is difficult for them to insert the contraceptive into the uterus. If in doubt, consult your gynecologist if you want to use an alternative to pill or condoms.

Warning breakdown!

For contraceptive failures such as a broken condom or a forgotten pill, there is the morning-after pill. It contains high-dose hormones and can prevent unwanted pregnancy. The time window for the morning-after pill is tight. It must be taken no later than 72 hours (depending on the preparation, no later than 5 days), but ideally within the first 12 hours after the period of contraception. You can only get the morning-after pill with a prescription from your doctor.

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