This is a very intimate and common topic for teenagers or still virgins who have not yet had their first sexual intercourse. The fear and anxiety of getting pregnant right on the first time is very real for many people.
That’s why, how not to get pregnant on the first time, has been widely discussed and quietly researched across the internet. To help people who want to start their sex life without the fear of getting pregnant, here’s a little help. Let’s get started!
Know Your Cycle
Knowing when you get your period is very important1. If you have regular cycles, it’s pretty simple to calculate your fertile days. Not having sex during your ovulation days is essential to prevent pregnancy, and with regular cycles it is quite easy to spot the days you should avoid having sex.
However, if you have irregular cycles, trying to prevent pregnancy with the calendar method is a very bad idea. That’s because your calculations could be way off, and you could easily end up misjudging your safe days for sex. So, pay close attention and always note down the first day of your period each cycle. This will help a lot!
Visit a Gynecologist
Cliché? Yes! But this is the best way to find out if you need a contraceptive method, especially hormonal ones, right at the start of your sex life. Even though a gynecologist can seem intimidating for virgins, remember that above all, they are there to care for your health, your wellbeing, and to give you the best advice possible.
Maybe, a male gynecologist might not be ideal for girls, it’s better to look for a woman. Not because of competence, but because it might make you feel more comfortable discussing sexuality.
Your first time should be discussed without taboos, talk about your fear of getting pregnant and discuss with your doctor the best ways to prevent pregnancy, even if that means starting to use oral, injectable, or other contraceptives.
Remember that any girl or person starting their sexual life is not obligated to take birth control. The doctor will only recommend what’s best for your situation, and will guide you about other hormonal prevention options if that’s your wish.
For teenagers, oral contraceptives with lower hormone doses are ideal. Fortunately, there are many on the market that help avoid weight gain, pimples, and other possible side effects from hormonal medications.
Important: Hormonal methods should be started at least one cycle before to be effective in the body. You need to start taking birth control pills one menstrual cycle in advance so you can be sure you won’t ovulate and thus won’t get pregnant.
If you’re in a steady relationship and both of you have decided to start your sexual life together, it’s a great idea for both to visit the doctor and get all your questions answered. A united couple, full of love, and well-informed, will have a much better and stress-free first experience.
Use Barrier Methods (Condoms)
Alright, the good old condom. Here we go again preaching about condoms (again, I know). At school, on the internet, on TV, in the subway, at grandma’s house… Everywhere, they talk about condoms.
You might think you know it all, but are you sure? The problem is at crunch time. Using a condom correctly is not always discussed. In the heat of the moment, you may want to skip the condom, so it’s a good idea for both guys and girls to practice a little before the big day, whether it’s planned or not.
How? With a broomstick, a banana, carrot, cucumber… It’s important to pinch the tip of the condom to avoid air inside, and roll it all the way down to the base of the penis. Besides the traditional condom, there is also the female condom2.
This is less common for first-timers and will also require some practice by the woman, since the ring must be placed inside the vagina before intercourse. It’s an option, but one that should be carefully considered by women.
How to Get Condoms?
In pharmacies, you can easily buy them. But at health clinics, bus terminals, metros, you can get them for free! But what about embarrassment? How do you go to a health clinic and ask for condoms? How do you buy condoms at the pharmacy counter? Three ways:
- Be bold and brave (wanting your first time should be more important than embarrassment)
- Ask an older friend
- Look for places where you can grab condoms yourself
A great tip is to use a water-based lubricant to help with your first time. This will make penetration easier and the experience less painful or tense.
Withdrawal Method, Really?
No, for heaven’s sake! lol. Withdrawal is a big mistake as a way to prevent pregnancy3. But what exactly is the withdrawal method? It’s when the penis is pulled out before ejaculation. But why isn’t it safe?
The guy can release sperm before fully ejaculating, and that fluid contains sperm. The best and safest method right now is the condom, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
The ideal is to use two contraceptive methods, a barrier one along with another, making the fear of how not to get pregnant on the first time a lot more distant. Birth control pills, condoms, IUD, diaphragm, calendar method or simply condoms—whatever your choice, use it correctly to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
See also: First Period – Girl Becoming a Woman
