Inform yourself well, especially from your gynecologist. Keep in mind that a condom also protects you from sexually transmitted diseases (it is always recommended if you frequently change partners to ensure safe sex) and must always be used at the beginning of a new relationship, or even in a stable couple if there are contraindications for hormonal contraception. If you choose to use the pill instead (not recommended in certain cases such as predisposition to thrombosis), it is necessary that the gynecologist always perform an evaluation of your clinical history. Understand that this does not protect against STDs, and you must remember to take it every day, etc. Finally, you should know that today, the pill (as well as the patch and the ring), is not recommended to only a small minority of women. Additionally, we should all make every attempt to abolish, or at least reduce, the habit of smoking (a real killer in regards to all aspects of women's health). In certain, unique situations, such as post-childbirth, breastfeeding and others, the pill without estrogen is recommended.

For those who have not seen and/or used (bad!) one, a condom is a thin sheath of latex or other material (for those allergic to latex), which is manually placed over the penis during erection. The tip has a small space that collects sperm, preventing their entry into the vagina. This is the only contraceptive method that protects against sexually transmitted diseases.
This method is cheap, does not require a prescription, does not require exams and can be used in conjunction with another method to enhance its effectiveness. It is recommended for adolescents during their first sexual experiences (when used along with a contraceptive pill, it offers 100% protection both against STDs and unwanted pregnancies), but its use is desirable in all situations of unprotected sex at any age.  It is easy to get one (pharmacies, department stores, supermarkets, vending machines, shops). It is easy to use starting from the first time. A condom is the most common barrier method, and is always necessary when "dancing with a stranger." Unfortunately, it is not always used correctly (hence there are numerous failures), and furthermore, young women don't always have the courage to ask their partners to use it... Not everyone has a positive experience with it; some people, both men and women, may experience allergies or intolerances.

NO. In recent years, condoms have also been made available in other materials such as silicone, polyurethane and its derivatives. There are also those made of animal intestines, such as lambskin condoms, but these do not offer the same security as those made of synthetic material.

Polyurethane condoms are a great alternative if you are allergic to latex condoms, but also come with other handicaps. Compared to those made of latex, they are resistant to oil-based lubricants, have a more comfortable fit and squeeze the head of the penis less, slightly lessening the reduction in sensitivity for men. The first polyurethane condoms tended to break more frequently than latex ones. Because of this, in more recent years polyurethane derivatives have been studied and used. These are materials that are more resistant than latex (for example, Duron), with high elasticity and softness to the touch, which also allow for a reduction in thickness without compromising safety.

A condom can slip off for various reasons, such as not being properly rolled on, or more often, as a result of not removing the penis from the vagina right away after ejaculation, when it is no longer fully erect. Sometimes, it's simply a matter of size. For example, if the condom is too large, it can slip off more easily. In any case, this situation can be compared to that of breaking the condom – sex is no longer protected, and you will have to resort to emergency contraception.

It's rare, but it can happen, especially if the condom was put on the wrong way or if air got trapped inside after it was put on. Additionally, for latex condoms, oil-based lubricants can cause the condom to break if used during sex. In the case of such a "blowout," clearly the sex is no longer protected from either the risk of an unwanted pregnancy or the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

The male condom is the most widely used barrier method in Italy, but there are also less used methods that include the female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap and sponge. The female condom is a polyurethane sheath in the form of a bag that is roughly 17 cm long, with two flexible rings at both ends (both open), which is inserted into the vagina and prevents the sperm from reaching the uterus. It is thicker and less effective than the male condom. It can be used by women who are allergic to the latex used in male condoms (even though they are also made with other materials, specifically for alleviating this problem).

Using barrier methods requires some practice. The gynecologist will have to teach you how to insert and remove it. For this reason, they are not suitable for all women, particularly those who are not very experienced with their bodies.

That which is expected of a condom today is the highest quality and safety both in terms of contraceptive efficacy and protection against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Currently, condoms are produced, sold and distributed in accordance with European standard EN 600:1996, which establishes minimum quality requirements and prohibits the sale of products that do not comply with these requirements.

Each pack of condoms is marked with an expiration date, which must be respected. Expired condoms must be thrown out unused. Generally, condoms have a shelf life of about 5 years from the production date, unless they have been exposed to sunlight, heat, excessive moisture or oils. Normally, manufacturers subject their condoms to very stringent tests to make sure that they comply with national and international standards. This procedure greatly lowers the risk of manufacturing defects (<0.1%).

It has been estimated that incidence of condom breakage for inexperienced couples is around 1-8%, but decreases to 1% in couples with more practice. The break can depend on several factors, such as more or less experience in using this method, behavior and sexual practices, poor conditions, quality, materials and condom sizes that are too tight. Some studies have documented a greater tendency of rupture for polyurethane condoms compared to those of pure latex.

In the unfortunate event of rupture and leakage of sperm, sexual intercourse is not protected from the risk of unwanted pregnancy or the risk of infection. You can immediately wash yourself and resort to emergency contraception as soon as possible by taking the so-called "morning after pill."

A diaphragm is a thin latex or silicone cup mounted on a flexible metal ring. Its effectiveness is optimized with the combined use of a spermicide coated on the dome and on the ring. It must be inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse, and positioned so as to cover the cervix. It should be removed after at least 6-8 hours after sex. If kept in too long it can cause irritation. The diaphragm requires a good feel for your body, and is more suitable for healthy women who have never given birth naturally. After vaginal delivery, in fact, the uterus is modified in such a way as to make application of the method more difficult, and thus decreases its efficacy.  In recent years, it has become less used in favor of the female condom, the cervical cap and the contraceptive sponge.

Let's start with the last question. The abbreviation IUD comes from the term Intrauterine Device. How does the IUD work? There are multiple mechanisms of action - it depends on the type of IUD. The mechanical function of device itself induces an aseptic inflammatory reaction, caused by its presence as a foreign body. This is enhanced by the addition of copper, which causes a number of modifications to the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, preventing implantation of the egg. The copper strand also directly affects the sperm, reducing their vitality and mobility as a result of the metal's toxicity. There is also an IUD that releases hormones and acts as a hormonal contraceptive by preventing ovulation.

Insertion should only be done by a trusted gynecologist during the first days following a menstrual period, but no later than the 14th day, to be sure not to interfere with a pregnancy that has just begun. This typically lasts for 20 to 30 minutes, after which you will be asked to rest lying down for a period of time.

The presence of the IUD does not affect normal variations in the menstrual cycle.

Women who use it say that they can't feel it. As soon as it is removed, your body's previous conditions are restored, and with them the possibility of fertilization.

An IUD can remain in the uterus for 2 to 5 years, depending on the woman and the model used. According to the testimonies of those who have used it, it generally leaves no "sense of presence," not even during sexual intercourse. Some women like it very much, others have had it removed because it was causing irritation and inflammation.

These methods are called natural because they do not require the assumption of chemical contraceptives, nor the insertion of mechanical devices such as an IUD.

They teach you to recognize your fertile period during each menstrual cycle, so that you can avoid sexual intercourse during those days.

They are based on the observation of several indicators (for example, cervical mucus and internal temperature) and their variations, which signal when ovulation occurs.

These methods are rather challenging; there are many rules to follow, they are not highly effective and they require knowledge of and a high level of comfort with your own body. They also require that you take measures to learn the method. For all these reasons, they are not suitable for teenagers. Their effectiveness is considered to be medium-low.

The cervical mucus method is a natural method of contraception that identifies the fertile period by analyzing the consistency of the mucus that is produced under the stimulation of estrogen hormones. During ovulation, the mucus changes; it becomes more liquid and slippery, somewhat resembling the consistency of an egg white. This transformation is the body's tactic for facilitating the path of the sperm through the cervical canal towards the uterus. The last day that the mucus portrays these liquid and slippery characteristics is called "peak day," and corresponds to the period of maximum fertility. The risk period is considered to be the time span between the beginning of mucus secretion and the 4 days following "peak day."

This is also called the Billings method, taken from the surname of Australian neurologist John Billings who, together with his wife Evelin, and simultaneously, the Austrian doctor Josef Rötzer, was one of the first scientists to develop the method in the 60s.

The method, which is quite challenging, requires accurate observation of the cervical mucus several times a day, with the help of strict standardized rules, and the construction of a graph that allows for the identification, each month, of ovulation and the fertility period. The effectiveness of the method is considered to be medium-low.

The basal body temperature method is a natural contraceptive method that is based on the daily tracking of vaginal temperature. The temperature is taken with a regular thermometer, and allows you to identify variations from the base temperature during the menstrual cycle. The method is based on the fact that the basal body temperature (BBT) of a female has a slight rise (+ 0.2-0.5 ° C) 1-2 days after ovulation as a result of stimulation by the hormone progesterone.

The temperature is measured in the morning, as soon as you wake up, before carrying out any activities. You must be in a calm environment, preferably before 8.00 am. The temperature should be recorded on a specific monthly chart that is usually included with the thermometer package, and can be used to create a customized monthly chart. This method, which has medium contraceptive efficacy, is quite challenging and requires a settling-in period to learn a number of basic rules for measuring the basal temperature.

This is a myth that should be dispelled once and for all! Unfortunately, there are still many girls, either uninformed or ill-advised, who think that the contraceptive pill is not a suitable method for young girls going through their first sexual experiences. In reality, if you think about it, it's actually a great ally, because in addition to having high contraceptive efficacy, it also offers many additional benefits, such as helping with menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), which is a frequent complaint and poorly tolerated by young girls like you.
If the woman is healthy, there are no restrictions for the combined pill from menarche (the first menstrual period) up to 40 years of age. 

This seems to be a concern for many women, including foreign women. You can take the pill for as long as you want. Then, when you stop taking it, you can get pregnant without any problems. The actual truth of the matter is that the pill protects your fertility, it does not compromise it. Your Fertility has great value and should be protected to the maximum. With the pill, you're sure to choose a method that is one of the safest available, and that allows you to live your sex life spontaneously and without anxiety. You will have the security of being able to safely preserve your fertility "under lock and key," to be opened whenever you decide you are ready to have a baby. 

You're not alone Fabiola, even if that doesn't provide a lot of consolation! Pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea) is unfortunately a frequent symptom that happens often for teenagers, but also for younger and adult women. The pill and estrogen-progestin contraceptives (COCs) can be a solution to this problem. Extended use pills are particularly recommended. These are taken every day of the year, continuously, eliminating the monthly pause during which withdrawal bleeding (menstrual flow while taking the pill) occurs. This allows women to remain without menstrual flow for four months, thus having only three periods per year. The total absence of flow (amenorrhea) should not be cause for concern. The "extended regimen" of estrogen-progestin has been especially designed to eliminate the discomfort associated with the monthly flow, which is painful for many women and significantly affects their quality of personal, social and work life.

Good for you Serena! The pill without estrogen is the only pill recommended during breastfeeding, once started. Starting too soon is not advisable. After giving birth, in fact, the fall in circulating progesterone levels is indispensable for the start of lactation, and starting on a progestin pill too early may interfere with milk production. It can be taken by the nursing mother after the first 6 weeks of postpartum (or after the first 3 weeks, if you decide not to breastfeed).

Martina's question illustrates a maternal concern that has no reason to exist. In reality, there are no contraindications for the implant, even for adolescents. In fact, over the last ten years, there has been a progressive increase in its use in women between the ages of 15 and 44, both for the implant and the IUD that releases the progestin hormone. Both methods are defined as long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), and allow you to live your sex life in a completely calm manner, without the daily pressure of taking the pill, and without the need for a good knowledge of your body when you are still young and discovering yourself.

The implant is a method that has recently become available in Italy. This explains why it's not talked about that much, and why it's not used as much as it should be considering the advantages it offers.  According to experts, it's an ideal contraceptive for adolescents because of its efficiency and reliability.