So, you went to your mate’s house party, you got carried away with a guy you quite fancied, the alcohol didn’t exactly help! You ended up having sex and the condom split – or you didn’t bother with one. Now in the cold day of light you’re worried about being pregnant. You feel scared, vulnerable, alone. You think he’s a nice guy but you certainly don’t want to start making babies with him! You’re too embarrassed to tell your family or your mates – you don’t want it all round the school. You’re even worried about getting help from your doctor.

This sounds like a real mess, doesn’t it? But it isn’t! Don’t worry, GP’s have heard this scenario hundreds of times before. And they’re not there to judge you. They are there to help you and your situation and to care for your well being. And to reassure you of this, I popped out and chatted to Andrew who is a local GP. He told me many facts and information so I could pass it onto you guys. This way we can get to the bottom of this "feeling too scared to go to the doctors" malarkey.

Here some facts that migh make you feel more comfortable.

1. Andrew will see at least one girl every week, who has been in a similar situation. So if you do ever have to visit your GP because your contraception has failed, never think you are alone ‘cos its happening all the time. And the odds are that your particular doctor saw somebody just like you last week.
   
   
2. The important issue is to not rely on the Morning After Pill as your usual contraception. If you make sure you use traditional contraception every single time then "MAP" can just be a back up if your other contraception fails e.g. the condom splits.
   
   
3. Andrew will a see, on average, one person a week who will need to be treated for a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STI). Thrush being the most common infection amongst us girls.
   
   
4. So, once again, if you do notice any changes to your bodily functions don’t be freaked out! It does occur very often and your doctor will have seen it before and will help you.
   
   
5. The important thing to remember is that as long as you use condoms you will be protecting yourself as much as possible against nasty STIs. And us girlies will be preventing the blokes from the very common infection of Thrush.

Anyway those are the facts, but read on and see Andrew’s advice on what to do if you need to see a doctor urgently to get help.