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Please note: The Pulse Te Auaha and Doctor G have previously referred readers to the 198 Youth Health Centre.

This service no longer operates, but 198 Youth Health Centre counsellors now work from Waipuna Trust, 349 Woodham Road, Christchurch.
Phone 386 2159 to make an appointment. They provide a youth support service.

Find more local youth health and social services from Webhealth Canterbury.

Dr G's frequently asked questions: Sexual health

Hi. I was just wondering, does the morning after pill protect you from pregnancy between the doses?
Dr G replies,
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (Morning after pill) is for use only when you have had unsafe sex, the condom broke, or you were drunk and can’t remember. It has a 96% chance of preventing a pregnancy. That means 4% of not working. It does not give any protection from pregnancy between taking courses of it. It is for an emergency only. Hope this helps.
 
If you are under 16, can you still ask your doctor for the Pill (intending it to be for contraception not period control?)
Dr G replies:
Yes it is fine for you to ask your doctor for the Pill as contraception. The law was changed in 1990 to make it legal to provide people under the age of 16 with contraceptive information, services and prescriptions. If you are not comfortable with asking your own doctor for the Pill you could also go to FPA (Family Planning Clinic) or a local youth health centre. They should both be listed in the front of your local phone book.
 

Sexual Health pamphlet
Read the Compact Guide to Sexual Health [PDF 660Kb] and Being safer sexually [PDF 2.1Mb] from the Canterbury District Health Board .

If I have sex do I have to buy a condom? Where can I get it from and what's the price, how do I use it & if I don't wear it what could happen?
Dr G replies:
Condoms are available from lots of places, some of them free. If you live in Christchurch you could go to any of the places below. If you live out of Christchurch it's a bit harder to get them free but supermarkets, pharmacies, and some petrol stations have them on sale. In Christchurch the 198 Youth Health Centre which is at 198 Hereford Street is open from 11.45 to 6pm weekdays have free bags of condoms if you ask. The Sexual Health Centre on 33 St Asaph Street has condoms available free from their nurse educators. Family Planning have a clinic at 9 Washington Way ( near the skate park) have 3 packets of 12 condoms for $3.00 from reception. Also supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations. Doctors can prescribe them too, and that will usually just cost around $3.00. If you are buying them the cost varies depending on the size of the box and how fancy they are - between $1 and $2 each usually in packs of 12.
Use condoms every time you have sex. Every pack has instructions on how to put them on. It's a good idea to practice using them (by yourself) to start with.
What could happen if you don't wear a condom? - well the risk is that your partner could get pregnant or you could pick up an infection such as chlamydia or warts. Sometimes you don't know you have an infection and could pass it on to your partner or they to you. There's no hurry, there's lots of fun things you can do with your partner without full sex. Remember if you are having sex with someone under the age of 16 it's against the law.
About how much does an abortion cost? And what are the average costs of contraception pills/injections?
Dr G replies:
In New Zealand an abortion is free (transport will cost if you live outside a centre where they are done). The Contraception Pill costs vary from free to costing for the doctors visit and the prescription cost. Many GPs, youth health clinics, Family Planning (FPA) and school clinics offer free contraception. You could call around and find out. There is no age restriction on getting the Pill. Remember the Pill and condoms together offer the best protection from sexually transmitted STI's and pregnancy, and it's best to delay having sex until you are really sure you want to be sexually active.
Is anal sex safe? i know you can get sti’s and still get pregnant but is it safe to have anal sex, a penis inside there won’t do anything it shouldn’t?
Dr G replies:
No, unprotected anal sex is not safe. You can’t get pregnant this way but STIs, including HIV, can be passed on to the anus if your partner is infected. If you have anal sex you need to use condoms and plenty of water-based lubricant as there is a higher risk of a condom breaking during anal sex.
Where is the best place to get an sti check? I dont think it is very likely i have an sti but i just want to be sure. i dont want to go to my regular doctor. and how much do they cost?? thankyou
Dr G replies:
Good to see that you are in Christchurch and that you are keen to look after your health. The 198 Youth Health Centre in 198 Hereford Street offers free health care to people aged 10 – 25years. The nurses can do the tests and you need to drop in to make an appointment. Or you can make an appointment at the Sexual Health Centre at 33 St Asaph St by calling 3640 485. That also is free. Family Planning is another possibility for you, ring 3790 514 and that is probably also free to your age group. Peace of mind is getting a check-up. Good on you.
what are crabs plz i just hav no idea.
Dr G replies:
In the context of sexual health crabs are pubic lice much like the lice that can be on head hair. They are spread by contact of  pubic hair with another person with pubic lice. The treatment is the same as lice on the head, ask the pharmacy for lice treatment, you usually don’t need to say where it is. Hope that helps.
how do you have sex?
Dr G replies:
How do you have sex? Carefully, with someone you really care about, and not until you are really sure that's what you want to do. Choosing to have sex with someone is a big thing. Many young people who have sex early, say before they are 17, later wish they had waited. Don't feel pressured into having sex before you're ready; many teens who say they are having sex really aren't. As to the how, it's a good idea to do some research. Try www.theword.org.nz as a good place to start. Check out you local library as well. I'm sure you'll find some good information there. Remember when you choose to have sex you also need to be able to take care of yourself with contraception (after all sex is about the possibility of having a baby) and protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.

Got more questions?

If you have a question that has not been answered, you can ask Dr G.