What is important to know about pregnancy? It is possible to get pregnant at almost any time of the menstrual cycle. A woman is only fertile during ovulation, but irregular menstrual cycles can cause ovulation to start earlier/later than it should. Therefore, it is technically possible to get pregnant at any time of the month. One of the reasons for this is that sperm can live in a woman’s body for up to 6 days. So, if you have no desire to get pregnant but have an active sex life, it is very important to choose and use pregnancy control/contraception.
TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (ABORTION)
In Lithuania, abortion is legally permitted up to the 12th week of pregnancy at the woman’s request, and up to the 22nd week of pregnancy for medical reasons (threat to the woman’s life or certain fetal diseases). The duration of pregnancy is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period and is clarified by echocardiography.
Pregnancies of less than 6 weeks can be terminated on an outpatient basis (in a private clinic or polyclinic), while pregnancies of 6-12 weeks can be terminated on an inpatient basis (in hospital). Abortion is a paid procedure in Lithuania.
For more information on termination of pregnancy, you can talk to your family doctor and/or gynaecologist.
ABORTION OF MINORS
While you have the right to decide freely whether to keep or terminate the pregnancy, this decision also affects the interests of the parents or guardians. So, if you are under 16, your doctor must inform your parents or guardians of the pregnancy. Abortion can only be carried out with the consent of at least one parent or guardian. If you are aged 16-18, although parental/guardian consent is no longer legally required, it is still desirable – i.e. the clinic carrying out the procedure reserves the right to require written parental/guardian consent.
In the event of a dispute between you and your parents or guardians, you can ask the National Authority for Protection of Children’s Rights and Adoption to reconcile the opposing views and decide on the best interests of the child, taking into account your age, views and vulnerability.
CONTRACEPTION
Contraceptive products that can be bought and used without medical advice
Condoms are one of them. They can be used by anyone who wants to have a healthy sex life, regardless of age. Condoms are easy to buy – not only in pharmacies, but also in regular grocery stores and petrol stations, at a fraction of the cost of other contraceptives. They not only protect against unplanned pregnancies, but also against most sexually transmitted diseases and infections, and help to control premature ejaculation. The condom is one of the most affordable and convenient choices. However, it is important to use a condom correctly to make it effective, as it can tear or slip. There is a myth that two condoms are safer than one, but this is not true – it only increases the chance of tearing due to friction. Before using a condom, it is important to check the expiry date, the CE mark and the air inside the packet for leakage. Sharp tools, teeth, nails should not be used to open the package and the used condom should be thrown away in the trash after it has been tightly tied and wrapped in a paper towel. Above all, remember that a condom can only be used once!
Other products that can be bought without a doctor’s prescription include spermicides, a diaphragm, a cervical cap and a sponge. These are used before sex by inserting a spermicidal cream, jelly, suppository or cervical cap with spermicide into the vagina, which neutralises the sperm by stopping them from moving and entering the uterus. These are good for you if you rarely have sex, but their contraceptive effect is not very high (lower than a condom), so it’s worth looking for alternatives.
Emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is a pill that is used in ‘extra’ situations – after unplanned, unprotected sex, after a condom breaks or after rape. The first pill must be taken within 72 hours of such intercourse and the second pill after 12 hours. These pills inhibit and delay ovulation, slow down the process of fertilisation or prevent the fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus. However, if the girl is already pregnant, this measure will not terminate the pregnancy. Unfortunately, emergency contraception can delay or delay menstruation, does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and has a very limited period of effectiveness. Emergency contraception should only be used as a last resort and should not become a permanent fixture!
Contraceptive products that can be purchased after consultation with your doctor
The combined contraceptive pill (BCP) is safe and reliable, but you should consult your doctor before taking it. If you are under 16, your mum/dad must be present at the consultation; if you are between 16 and 18, your parents do not have to be present, but they must agree to your visit to the doctor. The combined contraceptive pill is one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy. They inhibit ovulation and the ability of the lining of the uterus to accept a fertilised egg, and thicken the lining of the cervix. However, as with other measures, it is important to follow the exact instructions for use in order for them to be effective. Remember to take the pill at the same time every day, and if you forget once, use additional contraception for the next week. If you experience any side effects, make sure you consult your obstetrician/gynaecologist!
A doctor’s consultation is required for the use of contraceptive vaginal rings, which are self-administered into the vagina, and the transdermal contraceptive patch. The latter is applied to the buttocks, abdomen, outer arm or back and is comfortable and reliable. However, it does not guarantee secrecy and is not suitable for girls weighing more than 90 kg.
Neither the combined contraceptive pill, the vaginal ring or the contraceptive patch protect against sexually transmitted infections! They can also cause unwanted effects such as nausea, dizziness and non-cyclic bleeding.
