Contraception

If you are planning to have sex, the best way to prevent pregnancy is to use contraception.

There are lots of methods of contraception to choose from and different methods will suit different people. All contraception is free on the NHS in the UK, so you don't need to pay anything for it. If you're not sure which method you want to use, it's a good idea to visit a local clinic and speak to a nurse or doctor. To find your nearest clinic click here.

Even if a man pulls out before he ejaculates (cums), a woman can still get pregnant. As soon as a man's penis becomes hard (erect), it leaks a few drops of clear liquid called pre-ejaculate or pre-cum, which contains sperm. So there's a risk of pregnancy if sperm comes into contact with the vagina in any way, including from sperm on fingers.

If you have any questions about contraception that you can't find the answer to here, call Ask Brook on 0808 802 1234. Your call will be confidential. That means we won't tell anyone about it.