Sex is wonderful. But there are risks it is important to know about. On this page you will find up to date information on disease prevention, contraceptives and healthy sex. We also provide contacts to relevant organizations and institutions in Uganda that can be of further use to our readers that for one reason or another is seeking out information on these subjects.

 

Family planning

For those looking to start a family, planning is essential. The costs and time consumption a child brings with makes it a major life decision, as it can impede on both the father`s and the mother`s ability to pursue her education or career, impact health and certainly change the patterns of life. But if motherhood is the path you choose, congratulations! Raising a child is a unique experience, thoroughly rewarding, and unquestionably worth it - if the right conditions are there.

But for those who are not in a place to start their family and want to prevent pregnancy, a child being conceived can become a life-changing "mishap." Therefore, being careful is important when the risks are what they are. Fortunately there are many helpful tools to avoid ending up in unwanted situations, and being aware of them before you find yourself with an unwanted pregnancy is of the utmost importance, as rectifying such a situation through abortion or adoption is an enormous mental endeavor, even where abortion is technically an accessible option. "Better safe than sorry" is a good approach to these issues and using Birth Control is therefore recommendable until you decide you are ready to become a parent and raise a child.

​Preventing pregnancies and Sexually Transmittable Infections

 

Birth control and safe sex can be ensured using a variety of methods. Prices, simplicity and availability vary greatly in Uganda, but we will cover the most common ones here, starting with reviewing the "ABC`s of AIDS prevention” as these tips also cover pregnancy and other Sexually Transmittable Infections (STI`s).

 

Abstinence and "non-vaginal" sex

Abstinence is of course 100% effective, and also prevents all STIs, if one at all times avoid all sexual contact with a partner. But not everyone is happy with a completely abstinent lifestyle, nor is it necessarily the most desirable way to live one`s life even if you have the desire to do so – many studies show that a healthy sex-life is a huge part of a happy life for most people of legal and responsible age and health.

Moving beyond “total” abstinence we would like to point out that there is a lot of fun to be had with a partner that does not put you at risk of disease or pregnancy. Our sex toys is an effective means of avoiding many risk factors, if you clean and maintain them properly, either on your own or with a partner. Ice-cubes, feathers, lips, tongue and hands can go a really long way to stimulate both the body and senses, and ejaculation is easy to contain to non-risk areas, if you catch our drift... Pulling out, however, only protects against pregnancies, not STI`s, and is also not 100% effective against fertilization, as some semen may “leak” prior to the main ejaculation.

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Keep in mind also that the brain is the largest sexual organ in the body, so everything from talking, in person or on the phone, sending pictures and videos to each other (make sure they will not end up on the internet or get spread against your will!!!) can be a useful means of achieving sexual pleasure with someone you trust.  ​

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Being faithful

If you are in a committed relationship, sticking to one partner and not straying outside the partnership is an effective way of avoiding STI`s. Trust is the basis of every union, and if you feel safe that you are each other’s only partners, the main concern is to avoid unwanted pregnancies. From the pill to IUDs and vasectomies, there are several options available to you, which we will handle below.

​Condoms

Condoms are our primary recommendation, despite not being the most secure option with a success rate of "only" 85% - meaning 1-15 per hundred users may still get pregnant using them. It is, however, closer to 95-98% secure when used correctly, and is therefore our preferred option, and most importantly - it is the only form of birth control that also prevents the most Sexually Transferable Infections (STI`s), including HIV/Aids. Female condoms are also an option with a high degree of protection, though they are not as safe, or practical, as regular condoms.

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At Afrotica.Boutique we endeavor to provide all customers with free condom samples, depending on our availability - Please remember to ask our representative if we have these available when you pick up or order your products for shipping.

 

Contraceptives and Birth Control​

​This list is not meant to be a complete guide to the use of all types of birth control, but rather list the ones that are to varying degrees available on the market. Further information on each specific one can be found online and should be discussed with your doctor, to find the right one for you. In many cases these will not be available in Uganda, but if you are travelling to Europe or America they may be obtained on your travels, some places even at very low or no cost, particularly in European countries. We at Afrotica.Boutique are happy to assist with research ahead of a trip abroad, so contact us ahead of time if you are interested in seeking out any of these while you are away, as coming prepared is important if one is on a tight schedule.

 

Birth Control - An overview of types, effectiveness and usage

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Hormonal treatments - Implants, Pills, Patches, Shots and Rings

Hormonal birth control used to only be available in pill form, but have in the last couple of decades come to market in several varieties. They all add the hormones Estrogen and/or Progestin to the body in a larger quantity than the body produces naturally – but both hormones are naturally produced in women. Keep in mind none of the hormonal Birth Control options prevent STI`s, as their function is to prevent ovulation (Egg-release from the ovaries) so sperm never meets the egg, thus avoiding fertilization of the egg.

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Implants

Implants are surgically inserted into the body. They are close to 100% effective, last up to 4 years at the time and can be removed if you change your mind about pregnancy.

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Pills

“The pill” is perhaps the most common and popular hormonal birth control. It is easy to use, simply take on pill per day, every day. The most common problems is to remember taking it daily or making sure you have them, as they require a prescription, so planning ahead is important. While you take the pills daily they are just over 90% effective at preventing pregnancy.

 

Patches

Birth control patches are worn on your upper arm, stomach or butt, so no surgical procedure is necessary and you can put them on yourself. They are similar to a Band-Aid and one patch lasts one week, so you have to remember to change it weekly and use them for 3 weeks out of every month, until your week off when you have your period. They are about 93-95% effective while you wear them, and if you change your mind about pregnancy you can simply stop using them.

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Shots

The birth control shot (Medical name Depo-Provera) is an injection of the hormone Progestin. It is more than 90% effective and lasts about 3 months at the time. It must be administered by a nurse or doctor, by appointment.

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Rings

The Nuva-ring is worn inside the vagina where it releases the same hormones as the above treatments. They are more than 90% effective as long as you change them every month, and store them correctly in a refrigerator until you are ready to use your replacements.

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Barrier treatments – Diaphragms, Cervix-caps, Sponges and spermicides

Spermicidal gel or cream inhibits the movement of sperm and prevents them from ever reaching an egg, thus avoiding fertilization. Place the spermicide inside the vagina prior to intercourse. Diaphragms, Cervix-caps and sponges are all very similar in that they are made from silicone and worn inside the vagina during intercourse, and prevent sperm from reaching the cervix. Used by themselves they are about 70-80% effective, but that increases to 80-90% with spermicides, which we always recommend is used along with the sponge, diaphragm or cervix-cap. They vary in size, but are all worn during the intercourse and removed, cleaned and stored safely afterward until next time, and can be used more than once, until they look worn out or are punctured.

 

Intrauterine Devices (IUD`s)

Intrauterine devices are implanted into the uterus, and this must be done by a doctor or a trained nurse. There are two main types where one is a copper-spiral and the others are hormonal, similar to Birth Control implants or pills discussed above. The copper version lasts up to 12 years, while the hormonal ones work between 3 and 6 years depending on the type, and both types are lose to 100% effective. Removal is also a process that require a trained medical professional, do not remove them by yourself, and discuss your options thoroughly with your doctor if you are interested in this method of contraception.

 

Sterilization and vasectomy

Male and female sterilization is a surgical procedure that permanently prevents ovulation in women and semen-transfer in men. They are both 99% effective, but since they are permanent they should only be considered if you have had the children you want or there are medical reasons why pregnancy is not for you. If these do not apply and you still consider sterilization, you have to be extremely certain that having children is not something you want at any time in your life.