January 1999

Safe Sex Always

Know more about it

By Polly Lau, Cran Sin,Teny Siu & Wong Po Kwan

    Contraception is a must to Miss Elaine Wang, a 22-year-old business student in Canada.

    Besides asking her sex partner to wear condoms, she avoids having sex during the time of ovulation and takes birth control pills.

    "I was once on the pills for about a year, but now I stop taking them, as there are too many side effects," she said.

    She had suffered from yeast infection, mood swings and a 20-pound gain in weight due to taking the pills.

    She suggested tertiary students consult school nurses or physicians before taking any pill containing hormones.

    In her view, protection against sexually transmitted diseases is more important than contraception.

    Said she: "It's hard to convince my sex partners to have AIDS blood tests and body check-ups, but having a blood test proves honesty, trust and love."

    Maggie, who requested her surname be withheld, is a 20-year-old student. She lost her virginity when she was 18.

    "We discussed the problem of contraception before we had sex and we agreed to use a condom."

    She regarded wearing condoms as the most reliable method, compared with taking pills and safe period calculation.

    Said she: "I think safe period is not really safe, as our physical conditions are not expectable."

    However, Maggie sometimes has sex with her boyfriend without using a condom.

    "In those cases, he would not let the sperm get into my body by in-time withdrawal. So I don't worry about pregnancy," she continued.

    Unlike Miss Elaine Wang, Maggie does not request her lover to have a blood test as a proof of trust.

    When asked their attitudes towards premarital sex, Maggie thought it is acceptable if one is well prepared, both physically and mentally.

    Miss Wang said, "Love is a prerequisite to sex. That's why people call it 'making love'."

    Pregnant young women have two choices: either to deliver the baby or to end pregnancy by induced abortion.

    "We will do our best to ensure that the client will not regret," said Miss Bau, the representative of the Hong Kong Family Planning Association.

    In Hong Kong, termination of pregnancy is legal if two registered medical practitioners have proved that continuing pregnancy will cause adverse effects on the pregnant woman in physiological, psychological and mental aspects. Abortion after the 24th week is illegal.

    If a pregnant woman is suffering from certain diseases which make her unsuitable to continue the pregnancy, or if the pregnancy is conceived in a rape, abortion is allowed.

    According to Miss Shiu Wai Ming, a school social worker of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, abortion may induce a long-term effect on youth.

    "After one or two years, they may be angry, regretful, and puzzled about their future," she said.

    The safety of the operation is closely related to various factors like the duration of gestation, the comprehensiveness of hospital facilities and the skills of doctors involved.

    If the treatment is poorly done, not only will it adversely affect the woman's health, but also lead to infection, pain and wounds that cannot be healed. The probability of getting pregnant again in the future will be lowered.

    "Youths often overestimate their ability to resist temptation and underestimate the consequences of intercourse. For me, they are just like playing with fire," said Miss Shiu.

    "Don't be shy to say 'no'. Your relationship won't be damaged if your boyfriend is really considerate," she concluded.