A service provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control
In the years since SmartSexResource launched, we have developed a library of questions asked by you, and answered by our expert sexual health nurses.
Our answered questions library cover a broad range of sexual health topics and common questions we hear at our clinics.
Hi
There could be a small chance you could be pregnant as birth control methods are generally not 100% effective, but I would expect the chance would be small given that condoms are a good birth control method if used correctly.
To make sure you’re not pregnant you can do a pregnancy test 7 days after your missed period. If someone has irregular periods, its best to allow for the longest cycle you have had recently when working out when you should do the pregnancy test for the most accurate result.
Abortions are free if you have MSP coverage in BC. If you do not have medical coverage in BC have a look at the Everywoman’s health center FAQ page for details on how much they cost in BC.
If you would like to talk to someone in person about birth control matters you can also call the Sex Sense line at Options for Sexual Health.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
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Pre-ejaculate (pre-cum) is the clear fluid that comes out of the penis before ejaculation. If this fluid comes in contact with the opening of the vagina or vulva or into the vagina, it is possible to get pregnant.
To learn more about pregnancy, click here or visit the Options for Sexual Health website.
There are several ways you can prevent pregnancy. Take a look at our ‘Birth Control’ page or visit the Options for Sexual Health website, to learn more.
Sometimes discharge coming out of the penis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (like chlamydia or gonorrhea). If someone is having discharge that is not normal for them, then it is a good idea to get tested for STIs. For more information about getting tested, see our ‘Get Tested’ page.
Hi
I would recommend going back and seeing the health professional who prescribed or gave the birth control to you and discussing your concerns with them.
It’s not uncommon for certain birth control options to cause changes with your period. The health professional would be able to see if this is something that may require a different birth control product or is something that will most likely get better with time. If you tell them you are concerned you may be pregnant they probably have free pregnancy tests you could use in the clinic.
If you are unable to see the health professional who gave you the birth control you could always go to an options for sexual health clinic or a standard walk in clinic to discuss your concerns. If they are concerned about pregnancy they would most likely be able to do a free test while you are in the clinic.
If you don’t have health insurance and are in the Vancouver area you can always come to the Bute street clinic. We don’t specialize in birth control but we can do a pregnancy test for free.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
Hi
Sorry I am not able to give you any specific information as I would need to know more information about your personal situation.
I would recommend talking with the health professional that gave you the pills or prescribed them for you.
You could also give the Options for sexual health sex sense line a call on 1-800-739-7367 or 604-731-7803. They are a confidential sexual health information service. One of their specialties is birth control and the person who talks with you could discuss your personal situation and offer advice based on this.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
Hi
Spotting a few days after taking plan B is common but it does not happen to everyone.
Nausea, headache and lower abdominal pain are the most common side effects that may occur. Fatigue, dizziness, breast tenderness, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.
If your symptoms are severe or happen for more than two days it would be good to see the health care professional who gave you the plan B.
Your next period should come on time, but it may be a few days early or late. If it is more than a week late it would be good to do a pregnancy test.
I don’t know your full medical or sexual history but it is possible for some sexually transmitted infections (STI) like chlamydia to also cause spotting. If you think an STI could have been passed to you it would be a good idea to get an STI test as well.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.
Hi
Sorry I don’t have any information on the Khatsahlano clinic so I am unable to comment. It can be difficult to get reviews on medical clinics as it really depends on what health professional you see. I also notice that some people will see the same health professional and one person had a bad experience and the other person had a good experience.
I often refer people to the crossroads clinic as they offer walk in, family practice and a number of different specialist.
I also find stein medical will see people who have travel and student medical insurance.
I would just recommend giving them both a call to see if your insurance is covered and discussing your concern with them so they can connect you with the health professional who has experience in this area.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
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Hi
I am unsure of what question you are asking. I will answer this question in regard to you wanting to produce the most amounts of sperm to increase your chance of making a woman pregnant.
Our local fertility clinic recommends that the best sperm parameters (sperm count, their movement etc…) were seen in men who have had one day of abstinence from ejaculation.
Given this there advice for the best chance of pregnancy is to have sex every second day around the time of ovulation.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
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Hi
I don’t know your full history but I can give you some general information based on what you have written.
Difficult to say as stomach pain, nausea and back pain are general symptoms that can be caused by many different conditions.
It is possible to get pregnant if you have sex during your period, the chance is lower but could still happen if you have sex towards the end of your period and you ovulate a few days later.
Most of the urine pregnancy tests can show a positive result as early as 7-10 days after you become pregnant (conception), but to rule out pregnancy you need to do a pregnancy test 7 days after your missed period.
I would recommend that you go see a health care provider about your symptoms. They would be able to do a pregnancy test for you and discuss your symptoms. I am also unsure of your situation but if you are concerned a sexually transmitted infection (STI) could have passed, it would be worthwhile getting tested for this as well.
Also have a look at our web page “what to do if we didn’t use protection” it provides some additional information and resources, e.g. preventing pregnancy by using the emergency contraceptive pill.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
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Yes, it is possible to get pregnant if a woman has sex during her menstruation period.
Because sperm can live for days inside a woman after intercourse, there is a possibility that she could ovulate after her period and this sperm could fertilize the egg.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
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Hi
Contraceptive pills are a form of birth control. They are a pill that is typically taken every day that will reduce the chance of a woman becoming pregnant.
There are many different types of birth control methods, pills, patches, rings, injections etc… Have a look at the following links for additional information on birth control pills and birth control options. The information is provided by options for sexual health and Sexuality and U.
Options for sexual health
Birth control pills
Birth control options
Sexuality and U
If you are interested in the contraceptive pill or another type of birth control method I would recommend talking with your health care provider. They would be able to discuss the different methods with you and help you decide which one you would work best for you. Let us know if you need help finding a health care provider in your area.
Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.
Health Nurse
For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.