To help enable individuals to make healthy choices and informed decisions regarding their personal reproductive health, the Prevention Institute has created a smart phone app, Keep it Safe Saskatchewan (KIS-SK), focused on contraceptives and STIs.
Download the App:
Set reminders for taking contraceptives or booking health appointments.
You will learn how different contraceptive methods work, how to use, the potential side effects, and how to access.
Abstinence
Abstinence refers to not having sex. In order to prevent pregnancy, abstinence means avoiding any contact between the penis and vagina and any contact between the vagina and semen or pre-cum. It is important to note that this method takes a lot of self-control and ongoing communication between partners.
If there is no genital contact and no contact between the vagina and semen/pre-cum, this method is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV).
Birth Control Pill (Oral Contraceptive, the “Pill”)
There are two kinds of birth control pills: the combined oral contraceptive (estrogen and progestin) and the progestin-only contraceptive. The birth control pill does not provide any protection from STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV).
Contraceptive Patch (“the Patch”)
The contraceptive patch does not provide any protection from STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV).
Emergency Contraception
There are two types of emergency contraceptives: the emergency contraceptive pill (Plan B, morning after pill) and the copper intrauterine device (copper IUD). Emergency contraception is the only form of birth control that can be taken AFTER sex to prevent pregnancy. It does not provide any protection from STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV).
Situations where emergency contraception may be used to prevent pregnancy include:
External (Male) Condom
Latex and non-latex condoms are available. Latex, polyurethane, and polyisoprene condoms provide protection from STIs that are transmitted through genital fluids (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, trichomoniasis). Protection may not be as effective for STIs that are transmitted mainly through skin-to-skin contact (e.g., genital herpes, HPV, syphilis). Lambskin condoms, sometimes used by people with latex allergies, do not protect against STIs.
Internal (Female) Condom
The internal (female) condom provides protection from STIs that are transmitted through genital fluids (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, trichomoniasis). Protection may not be as effective for STIs that are transmitted mainly through skin-to-skin contact (e.g., genital herpes, HPV, syphilis).
Injectable Contraceptive (Depo-Provera/“the Shot”)
The injectable contraceptive does not provide any protection from STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV).
Intrauterine Contraceptives (IUC, IUD, IUS)
Intrauterine contraceptives (IUC) are long-acting and reversible methods. There are two kinds of IUCs: non-hormonal copper IUD and hormonal intrauterine system (IUS). IUCs do not provide any protection from STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV).
Vaginal Ring
The vaginal ring does not provide any protection from STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, HIV).
Other Birth Control Methods
If your body does not react well to hormonal methods and you are not interested in using a copper IUD, there are other non-hormonal options available. Talk to your healthcare provider or visit www.sexandu.ca for more information.
Withdrawal, also known as the pull out method, requires removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation.
The fluid (pre-cum) released prior to ejaculation contains thousands of sperm. Pre-cum can fertilize the egg, resulting in pregnancy and can also transmit an STI.
The withdrawal method requires a lot of self-control and is not very effective at preventing pregnancy. It is estimated that at least 22 out of 100 couples who use the withdrawal method as contraception will become pregnant within a year.
You will learn about symptoms, testing, treatment, and what happens if not treated.
Chlamydia
Genital Herpes
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis (often called “Trich”)
Rates of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Saskatchewan are among the highest in Canada. These high rates are of concern because adolescent pregnancy is associated with poorer outcomes for the mom and the baby. Likewise, if STIs are not treated, they can cause serious health issues for males, females, and unborn babies. Both adolescent pregnancy and STIs can be prevented with proper contraception use.
Download the App:
Can people get pregnant the first time they have sex?
Yes. If ovulation has occurred (the body has released an egg) and the egg and sperm meet, pregnancy can happen.
Can a pregnancy happen or can an STI be transmitted if the penis is pulled out before ejaculating?
Yes. When a penis becomes aroused and erect, pre-cum is released. Pre-cum contains thousands of sperm. This means that pregnancy or an STI can occur even if ejaculation doesn’t happen in the vagina.
Is it okay to use the same condom more than once?
No. A condom provides protection for one act of intercourse and is not reusable. After intercourse, the condom should be removed and thrown away.
Are two condoms better than one?
No. Using two condoms increases the risk of the condom breaking because the condoms rub together. This can cause the condoms to rip or tear and may result in pregnancy or an STI.
Can pregnancy occur if menstruating?
Yes. Ovulation (the release of an egg) can happen during menstruation. Since sperm can live in a body for up to six days, it is possible for pregnancy to occur if sexual intercourse happens before the release of the egg.
Do all methods of contraception protect against STIs like chlamydia and HIV?
No. Most methods of contraception provide protection against pregnancy. Condoms are the only method of contraception that provide protection from most STIs.
Can a pregnancy or STI transmission happen after having sex in a hot tub, having sex standing up, or after douching?
Yes. After sexual intercourse, sperm enter the cervix and are out of reach. This means that the sperm are not able to be washed away by water, and pregnancy or an STI may occur.
Are oral sex and anal sex considered “safe” sex?
No. STIs can be transmitted through both oral and anal sex. There is also a risk of pregnancy during anal sex if semen leaks from the anus and sperm enters the vagina.
What do I do if I miss a pill/dose/shot?
If you are taking a hormonal form of birth control and have missed a dose, visit the website “Stay on Schedule (SOS)” at www.sexandu.ca for advice on your next steps.
