If you have decided it's the right time for you to have sex - or if you have already had a sexual relationship and perhaps thought you may be pregnant - it's the right time to think more about contraception.

If you or your partner don't use some form of contraception you will run a high risk of pregnancy - you're almost certain to get pregnant within a year - and you may risk contracting a sexually transmitted infection. If you use condoms when you have sex this will reduce your risk of both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

You can get free advice on contraception from any Family Planning Clinic or a GP. There are some clinics in this area which run sessions for young people.

If you're 18 or under and you want to talk to someone over the phone you can ring the Sexwise Helpline on 0800 28 29 30 between 7.00am and midnight 7 days a week. You'll talk to someone who is specially trained - and although it's a national service, they will know where you can get support and help in our area.

If you want to find out about the different types of contraception you can get leaflets from a Family Planning Clinic, your GP surgery or most young people's centres. There are a number of websites that have lots of information about contraception:

Try:
www.ruthinking.co.uk

Or the Family Planning Association website:
www.fpa.org.uk
This website has maps showing the location of clinics in the area - you don't have to go to the one nearest to where you live - you can choose one that's near your college, or where you shop, or somewhere you're sure you wont meet anyone you know!!

If you have had unprotected sex - sex without using contraception, or you think your contraception may have failed you can use Emergency Contraception - click for more information.