FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• How do I know when I am ready to have sex?
• If a boy has an erection but does not have sex, he will become sick..
• A girl can get pregnant the first time she has sex.
• Sex makes pimples go away.
• What is a wet dream?
• Is it true that once you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, you cannot refuse to have sex?
• Is it true that boys need sex more often than girls?
• If your friends are doing it, why shouldn't you do it too?
• What does it mean if a girl misses her period?
• Pain in penis when he urinating, what is the cause?
• Commonly asked questions about the Female Condom.

THE ANSWERS:

How do I know when I am ready to have sex?
A: Having sex means making a lot of decisions. Unwanted pregnancy and safer sex are just a few things to think about. You should consider if you feel ready for such an intimate relationship. Such an important decision can only be made when you are physically and emotionally ready. Usually this means that you can make your own decisions, that you have finished your education, you can support a family, and you are in a committed relationship. Think about what is important to you. Is it against your values and religious beliefs to have sex before marriage? Do you want to concentrate on school and studies for now? Then you may come to the same conclusion as many other people: It's better to wait and have sex when you are really ready.

If a boy has an erection but does not have sex, he will become sick..
A: "False! He does not need to have sex and he will not get sick. The worst that will happen is minor discomfort until the erection goes away on its own.

A girl can get pregnant the first time she has sex.
A: "True! Pregnancy can happen just after one sexual intercourse. If the conditions are right in her body, that she is ovulating, it only takes one time"

Sex makes pimples go away.
A: "False! Sex won't help skin problems, but eating a well-balanced diet will. Avoid greasy foods and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables such as oranges, tomatoes, carrots, and green vegetables to have soft, blemish-free skin. Drinking a lot of pure clean water helps flush waste products."

What is a wet dream?
A: When a boy is sexually aroused, his penis stiffens and becomes bigger. If the boy masturbates or has sex, semen will come out of his penis in quick short spurts when he reaches sexual climax. This is known as ejaculation. Sometimes a boy's first ejaculation will occur at night while he is asleep. This is called wet dream and usually is accompanied by sexual dreams. Wet dreams are a boy's way of getting rid of semen and they are very normal. A boy should not worry about wet dreams of feel embarrassed.

Is it true that once you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, you cannot refuse to have sex?
A: Absolutely not. Having a boyfriend/girlfriend does not mean having sex. It means having someone you enjoy talking to and feel comfortable around. Even though you have said yes to sex before, you can change your mind at any time and say no.

Is it true that boys need sex more often than girls?
A: While it seems that boys think about sex more often than girls, it is not correct to think that boys need more sex. Both girls and boys have sexual desires, but this does not mean that they need to have sex. People can be happy and healthy without having sexual intercourse.

If your friends are doing it, why shouldn't you do it too?
A: The fact that your friends say they are having sex, doesn't mean that they really are or that you should do it too. A lot of friends brag about their sexual adventures to gain some false prestige or acceptance from their friends. You don't need to brag about such things to gain friends or recognition. If you are uncertain or have questions, talk to a special person you trust- your parents, aunt, senior brothers or sisters, or even a teacher. Or visit the nearest health cenre in your community.

What does it mean if a girl misses her period?
A: There are many factors that may cause missed or irregular periods, including stress ( e. g., losing a close relative, weight loss, or sickness.) If the girl is sexually active, a missed period may mean she is pregnant. She should be sure to visit a health worker or doctor as soon as possible.

Pain in penis when he urinating, what is the cause?
A: It is likely that the boy has contracted a sexually transmitted disease called gonorrhea. You can get this disease if you have close sexual contact with someone who is infected. The germs settle around the urethra, making it inflamed and painful during urination. Later, there will be discharge of yellowish-green pus from the urethra. Visit a doctor or your nearest clinic. By way of prevention, use a condom every time you have sex.

Commonly asked questions about the Female Condom.

Q: Can I reuse the female condom?
A: No, the female condom is not reusable. You should use a new female condom every time you make love. When you are finished using a female condom, wrap the used sheath in paper and throw it in a bin. Do not flush the used sheath down the toilet as it may cause blockage.

Q: Is there any time when I should not use the female condom?
A: No. You should use the female condoms at any time, including throughout your monthly cycle. However, it should not be used by a woman with severe genital ulcers, a prolapsed or retroverted uterus or if a woman has fibroids, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, cancer of the cervix or other uterine problems. In addition, if you are already experiencing pain during lovemaking, see your doctor or family planning provider before using the female condom.

Q: Can the female condom be used with other contraceptive methods, such as a family planning pill?
A: Yes. The female condom can be used with the family planning pill as a backup family planning method if a woman has forgotten to take the pill or is taking medication which interferes with the effectiveness of the pill. In addidion, the condom does not interfere with the effectiveness of other family planning methods. The female condom should not be used if your partner is wearing a male condom as the lubricant on the sheath will damage the male condom.

Q:Why is the female condom lubricated?
A: It is lubricated to help the penis move freely in and out of the vagina during lovemaking. For this reason, do not wipe the lubricant off the sheath.

Q: Why would I need to add extra lubricant to the female condom?
A: If you and your partner prefer more lubrication during lovemaking, additional lubricant can be placed inside the female condom before it is inserted into the vagina.

Q: What type of lubricant can be used with the female condom?
A: Because the female condom is made of polyurethane and no latex, oil-based as well as water-based lubricants can be used with it. Lubricants such as glycerine, lotion, Vaseline, baby oil etc…are safe to use with the female condom. These lubricants however, should not be used with the male condom because it is made of latex.

Q: Can I still use the female condom after expiry date?
A: No. You cannot use the female condom after the expiry date printed on the box and sheath packet. The female condom has a five-year shell life.

Q: Will the female condom tear while I am using it?
A: Research has shown that it is almost impossible for a female condom to tear during use, however if torn, the sheath should be discarded and a new one should be used.

Q: The female condom feels very strong, does this interfere with our pleasure?
A: No. The female condom is made from polyurethane which is strong, offering the security you need, yet thin enough to ensure that your pleasure is maintained.

Q: Is the female condom the correct size to fit my body?
A: Yes, the female condom has been carefully designed to suit any woman, whatever the size of her vagina, and any man, whatever the size of his penis.

Q: How will I know if the female condom is inserted properly in my vagina?
A: The female condom is inserted properly when the inner ring pushed against the cervix and the outer ring lies flat against the opening of the vagina. Your cervix blocks the female condom from going any further inside your body.

Q: Will a female condom get lost inside my body?
A: No. The female condom will not go beyond your cervix.

Q: Where should the outer ring of the female condom be placed?
A: The outer ring should lie flat against the opening to your vagina. If the outer ring is pushes inside your vagina by your partner's penis during lovemaking, simply pull the sheath back up, add a few more drops of lubricant into the inside of the sheath.

Q: What do I do if the penis is accidentally inserted between the sheath and the vagina?
A: If the penis is not inside the female condom withdraw the penis. Make sure the outer ring is lying flat against the opening to the vagina. Guide the penis back into the opening of the sheath.

Q: Will the female condom be noisy during lovemaking?
A: While the female condom may make some noise during lovemaking, this can be reduced by adding a few drops of lubricant to the inside of the sheath.