Lately, many girls have been contacting us with questions about taking hormonal contraceptives or “pills”.

You want to know whether it is OK to start taking them before or after menstruation has already started, what to do if we failed to take a pill, how to use pills to delay menstruation or do you have another question?

Our gynaecologist in the text that follows answered some of the questions you most frequently asked us! 

Oral hormonal contraception is the safest method of protection against pregnancy. Today’s hormonal contraception has a low hormone content, so it can be taken for years without a break. Today we use it, in addition to protection against pregnancy, as a therapy for hormonal disorders, cosmetic problems, regulation of heavy, prolonged or painful menstruation, etc.

Before taking the pills, a gynaecological examination with a PAP test is performed, if the girl is already sexually active, in addition to laboratory tests, a detailed medical history, information about diseases in the family or disease affecting the girl. A doctor then prescribes and explains in detail how to take hormonal contraceptives. If it is started for the first time, then the pills are taken on the first day of menstruation, so that protection begins immediately after that menstruation. It should be noted in particular that the pills must be taken regularly, at the same time. This is because in case you miss or forget to take a pill, it is important how many hours have passed since taking it regularly (i.e. how late are you for taking a pill) to allow assessment regarding which additional procedures or protection should be applied. Depending on the type of hormonal contraception, the procedures to be used are described in detail in the instructions provided in each package. Some girls, if they forgot to take the pill, use emergency contraception, and then it is recommended to use a barrier protection (a condom) and continue taking regular hormonal contraception.

Today’s low-dose contraception very rarely causes side effects. Sometimes there may be an increased appetite or light vaginal bleeding (spotting) may occur during taking. This bleeding may occur during the first 3 months of taking the pills and will only stop spontaneously, while maintaining protection at all times. With hormonal contraception, menstruation become shorter, scanty, less painful, and sometimes occurs only as a light discharge. There is no need to worry about this, unless one or more pills are forgotten and thus the effectiveness of the protection is reduced. It is very important that the girl reads the detailed instructions about the pills, which can be found in the box. This should be understood as information that will help, so that the girl knows what to do in the case that any changes occur.

If vomiting or diarrhoea occur while taking the pills, then pill adsorption is reduced, and thus the protection. If vomiting occurs within 3-4 hours of taking the pill, then it is necessary to take a replacement pill, preferably within 24 hours. In certain situations, if necessary, menstruation can be delayed with hormonal contraception, most often by consuming one pack and then immediately continuing to take the pills from the other pack, without a break. It is best to consult a gynaecologist, because there are differences, depending on the type of birth control pill, regarding the duration, i.e. the number of placebo pills that should be omitted in the case of delaying menstruation.

AUTHOR: Primarius Nives Šikanić Dugić, MD, spec. gynaecologist, MSc

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What does it mean to be in a quality relationship? Is it a relationship in which the other person gives in to you in everything and is “head over heels in love with you”? Is it a relationship in which you spend all your free time together and make sure you “confess” to each other when you hang out with other people? Do you need to adjust your free time and hobbies to your boyfriend or girlfriend and expect the same from him or her? Is being “a little jealous” and reading messages on her or his cell phone OK? 

Below we bring you 10 signs of a quality relationship – those full of trust, respect, and support for the other person!

10 SIGNS OF QUALITY RELATIONSHIP

• TRUST (You can share your doubts and count on support in good times and bad times) 
• RESPECT (You see each other as equal people with equally important desires and needs)
• RESPECT (You respect the wishes, opinions, and attitudes of the other person)
• SUPPORT (Each person supports the other to do their best) 
• RESPONSIBILITY (You take responsibility for your own actions and do not blame the other person) 
• DECISIONS (You make decisions together, as a couple and try to respect the needs of both persons as much as possible) 
• FEELINGS (You are openly expressing feelings without fear of ridicule and belittling) 
• LISTENING (You actively listen to each other, give yourself time, are attentive and try to understand each other) 
• ENCOURAGEMENT (You encourage your partner’s friendships and interests, sports, hobbies, and similar things outside of your relationship) 
• DIFFERENCES (You accept your differences and do not try to change one another)

“I am very afraid of my first sexual intercourse and I cannot relax at all. I just have a mental blockade…”

The first sexual intercourse is a big step in a relationship, but also in the life of every young person, and that is why it is important to enter it only when we feel ready. It should be a pleasant and beautiful experience for both partners that will connect you as a couple. If you are afraid, you are not comfortable and “you have a mental blockage”, maybe the right time has not yet come for you, and your partner should be able to accept it if he cares about you and your feelings. 

When stating with sexual relations, your desire for relations is key. If you want to start sexual relations, a certain “nervousness” is normal, but if you feel a blocking fear or any similar strong unpleasant emotion, it may be better to wait until the idea is more comfortable.

Here we present some general guidelines on how to assess whether you are ready for your first sexual intercourse:

1. YOU ARE AWARE OF THE RISK (You know the possible consequences of sexual intercourse and possible consequences related to it) 
2. YOU HAVE BEEN PREPARED (You have talked to your partner openly, you have been to a gynaecologist or you are planning to visit a gynaecologist, you are informed about all methods of protection and you will use them) 
3. YOU TRUST YOUR PARTNER (The partner and you are in a strong relationship, full of mutual trust, you take care of each other and you believe that the whole experience will be nice) 
4. YOU ARE DOING IT FOR YOURSELF (You want to have sexual relations, you are not doing it “because everybody else is doing it” or because you are afraid that your boyfriend will leave you) 
5. YOU ARE NOT AFRAID TO SAY NO (You can always change your mind or there is something where you draw the line – your partner respects you) 

Frequently asked questions of young people refer to unreliable methods of protection against pregnancy, especially “the pull-out” method (Lat. coitus interruptus), when a man pulls his penis out of the vagina immediately before ejaculation after vaginal intercourse without the use of a condom. Ejecting semen outside the vagina prevents it from reaching the vagina.

This method of contraception is unreliable because a small amount of sperm can leak prior to ejaculation (preejaculate) and only one sperm is sufficient for achieving pregnancy. In addition, if repeated intercourse occurs in a short time, the man has not urinated, and washed his penis, sperm can be left behind which can lead to pregnancy. The failure rate of this method is 18%, which means that 18 out of 100 women who use this method of contraception become pregnant during the first year of use. In addition, this method does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, and requires great self-control of both partners, which is often difficult to achieve.

Jealousy is an integral part of social life, it is present in almost all types of relationships, from family relationships to those in the business world, but it is studied most often in the context of romantic relationships. It is considered to be one of the most intense and most often present emotions in such relationships. People differ greatly in the frequency and intensity of their experiences of jealousy. 

In general, the results of most research show that women achieve higher levels of jealousy than men. 

Jealousy is a feeling that usually refers to negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety regarding expected loss of something a person cares about, such as a relationship, friendship, or love. It often consists of a combination of feelings of anger, sadness, and disgust.

For jealousy to occur, a third person, i.e. a rival, is not necessary to exist, nor is there a need for an actual attraction between one’s partner and a third person. Jealousy can also occur in people who are not in a relationship. They are not afraid of losing a partner, but of losing the opportunity for love. However, it most often occurs in people who are currently in a relationship.

Jealousy is rarely pleasant, and mostly negatively affects a romantic relationship and can ruin it. Surveys among students show that approximately half of respondents have broken up at least once due to jealousy-related problems, while approximately 10% of respondents cite it as a recurring problem in their current romantic relationships. 

Although it is most often recognized as negative, jealousy does not always have to have such a connotation. Some people may become more committed to a relationship once they realize they have a partner others desire. In addition, jealousy can be a sign that partners care about each other so they want to keep the relationship from danger, which can then even lead to greater satisfaction in the relationship. 

In terms of the association between age and jealousy, research has shown that younger people are more jealous than older people are.

A condom is the most commonly used contraceptive. In addition to protection against unwanted pregnancy, it also plays a major role in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Research shows that young people who have are sexually active do not use condoms in most cases, and one in four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted disease. Although easily accessible and generally common in use, some common myths still apply to condoms:

• It is good to keep condoms in your wallet

The fact is that they are always with you in case you need them but keeping one packet of condom in your wallet for a long time can thin the material from which the condom is made and small holes can be created in it, so a condom no longer serves its purpose. 

• Using two condoms at once doubles the protection

Using two condoms at once actually reduces protection because more friction is created and there is a greater chance that a condom will break. Using one condom in the right way should be quite enough. 

Condoms prevent any pleasure during a sexual act

This is one of the most common misconceptions. Condoms today are made of such materials that the pleasure is complete, and the condom is practically imperceptible, if the right size is used. Condoms can even improve your sex life because they reduce the fear of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. 

• You can only buy condoms if you are old enough

Incorrect. Condoms are not alcohol or tobacco and there is no age limit for their purchase. However, it often happens that young people are embarrassed to buy them. In that case, it is best to ask older friends for help or be courageous and take that step.

• Condoms do not fit to many people because they are made in one size only

In fact, they are produced in multiple sizes. More importantly, each condom can be stretched up to 60 cm in length and up to 30 cm in width. Therefore, it suits every man without any problems.

• Boys are responsible for having a condom

Your own health is always your responsibility, not your partner’s responsibility. Girls should not be ashamed to buy condoms because preserving health is important.