Sex!Life! - Ask Us

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if you’ve got a sexually transmitted infection?
Is there a test for herpes?
My pill was 6 hours late, what do I do?
What happens if I miss a pill for more than 12 hours?
How do I skip a period when taking the pill?
Can I get the pill if I am under 16?
What is emergency contraception?
What is Implanon?
Can I have Implanon removed if I don’t like it?
Can I get pregnant if I have sex during my period?
Will the pill make me fat?
When should I start having a Pap Test?
What do I do If I have an abnormal Pap Test result?

How do you know if you’ve got a sexually transmitted infection?

Often, you will not know. Many sexually transmitted infections do not cause any symptoms. If you feel you have been at risk of a sexually transmitted infection then you should ask your doctor about a check up. Your doctor will need to ask you some detailed questions about your sexual habits (history) and will need to do some tests. Some of these tests can be done on a urine specimen, and some need swabs from the genital region or blood tests. If you are uncomfortable talking to your own doctor about this, you can contact Family Planning Victoria. We can give you advice, suggest who you could see confidentially or we can arrange an appointment to see you ourselves.

Is there a test for herpes?

Testing for herpes is not part of the general check up for sexually transmitted infections. It can be done, by taking swabs from the genital region, when lesions are present. A blood test may help in certain circumstances. These tests are not always totally reliable, and so the results need to be discussed with the doctor you are seeing.

My pill was 6 hours late, what do I do?

Nothing! You can be up to 12 hours late before you need to worry.
This does not apply to the mini pill.

What happens if I miss a pill for more than 12 hours?

Take the pill as soon as you realise you’re late. Use condoms until you’ve had at least 7 hormone pills in a row. If there are less than 7 hormone pills left in the packet, skip your sugar pills. This is a cautious and simple rule to follow. A more complex answer needs to be discussed with your doctor, nurse or FPV.

How do I skip a period when taking the pill?

Instead of taking the sugar tablets, go straight to the hormone tablets of the next pack.

Can I get the pill if I am under 16?

Yes. It is legal to prescribe the pill to most young women, without their parents' consent. The doctor will ask you a series of questions to ensure that you understand the pill but FPV encourages, where possible, to discuss this with your parent/s or guardian.

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency Contraception may be taken if you have unprotected sex. It is a strong dose of hormones that act to either stop ovulation or stop a fertilised egg sticking to the wall of the uterus. It is available over the counter at most chemists without a prescription. It may be taken up to 120 hours after sexual intercourse but preferably within 72 hours. It works best when taken as soon as possible.

What is Implanon?

Implanon is a match stick sized contraceptive inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It slowly releases a hormone stopping pregnancy for up to 3 years.

Can I have Implanon removed if I don’t like it?

Yes, it is a fairly simple procedure to remove it and things return to normal pretty quickly.

Can I get pregnant if I have sex during my period?

Yes, especially later during a period. Women who have short cycles are at higher risk.

Will the pill make me fat?

On average with the new low dose pills there is no weight gain. However as some women lose weight with the pill, others will balance this out by gaining weight.

When should I start having a Pap Test?

A woman should start having pap smears when she has been sexually active for two years, or when she turns 18, whichever is the later. This includes lesbians. In some circumstances, a woman may be advised by her doctor to have a pap smear earlier than 18.

What do I do if I have an abnormal Pap Test result?

Don’t panic. Most Pap Tests are normal and those that aren’t are simply showing changes to the cervix due to minor infections which can be treated easily, or clear up themselves.

But if you get a test result that indicates cancerous or pre-cancerous changes in the cells, these can be treated easily if caught early.