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Using any drugs involves risks. If you are determined to use drugs, the following advice may reduce the risks.

General Health

A well balanced diet should provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs. However, you may wish to supplement your diet by taking multivitamins.

Taking drugs can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get coughs and colds.

Using Ecstasy or stimulant drugs such as Cocaine and Amphetamine (Speed) will usually make you feel like you have more energy and less appetite. To recharge your body and mind it is important that you get plenty of sleep and eat regular meals.

Looking after your health is important. Remember to have regular general health checks, cervical smear tests and breast examinations.

Periods

Some women who use drugs find that their periods become heavier or irregular and they may even stop. This may happen when your weight drops below a certain level. Weight changes may occur for various reasons.

• You could feel more energetic than normal. This may cause an increase in your physical activity.

• You may not feel like eating as often as you should. You may loose your appetite.

• Ecstasy increases your body temperature, making you sweat more.

• Heroin can affect your body’s hormonal pattern. This may mean your periods stop. You may also experience mood changes (similar to pre-menstrual syndrome).

If your periods do stop, you can still get pregnant. So if you're using drugs and having sex, it is vital that you use contraception. Don't get caught out.

Contraception

There is no evidence to suggest that illegal drugs interfere with the workings of the contraceptive pill. However, street drugs may have been mixed with other substances that may reduce the effectiveness of the pill. This doesn’t mean you should stop taking the pill on the days when you are using drugs. If you do so, then you will not be protected against pregnancy. If you take certain antibiotics, have diarrhea or vomit while taking the pill, it may not work.

It is a good idea to talk to your doctor about contraception. You may not feel comfortable doing this, but remember that anything discussed will remain confidential. If you live in the UK, the doctor is legally bound to put the information on record and to inform the Home office in cases of opiate addiction. However these files are confidential and your rights shouldn’t be affected. Your doctor might think that you are being irresponsible because you take drugs and give you contraception that you have no control over, like the coil, IUD or Depo Provera, which is injected. If you don't get a good deal from your doctor, go to a Family Planning Clinic, a well-women clinic or a women’s center for more advice.

The Pill

The Pill is the best way of keeping you pregnancy free, as long as it is taken properly. But it has many side effects – bleeding between periods, thrush, headaches, problems with blood pressure and liver problems. If you're injecting impure drugs, they have the same kind of effects, so all these risks will be doubled. The pill also contributes to some forms of cancer, mainly breast cancer and cancer of the uterus.

Some women who use Amphetamines, Ecstasy or Cocaine have reported that they do not become naturally lubricated while having sex. This may cause friction and result in small internal tears. Therefore, it is especially important to use condoms and a lubricant such as KY jelly. Oil based products, such as Vaseline or baby oil, will damage Condoms. Remember to always use a condom, especially with a new partner. Not only are you at risk from pregnancy but more importantly, from HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Depo Provera

DP, like the pill, works at a hormonal level but it's injected at 10-12 week intervals. Some women have noticed weight swings, and irregular or disappearing periods. If you have side effects you may be stuck with them for several months. It isn't used a lot in the UK but because you don't have to take it daily, it's often seen as the solution for ‘problem pill takers’. If offered it, you don't have to accept. DP interacts with drugs in the same way as the pill.

The Coil, IUD (Intra Uterine Device)

It's said to be foolproof, but it isn't. It's essential to have a check-up once every six months, because the risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is higher with the coil. Also if you get VD while you’ve got a coil, it can be very painful.

You get heavier periods with the coil, so if you're withdrawing and your periods come back, the cramps will be worse than they would normally be.

The Cap

Be careful if you use a cap and lose or put on some weight. You will need to have your cap refitted as it may no longer fit you.

Whatever method of contraception you decide to use, it is important also to use condoms or a femidom. They will help to protect you against HIV, Hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Advice on contraception is available in the UK, free of charge, from Family Planning clinics and the Brook Advisory Center. Alternatively contact your GP.

If you think you have recently been at risk of becoming pregnant (up to 5 days ago), there are forms of emergency contraception available from your doctor, Family Planning Clinic or Brook Advisory Center.  The emergency pill is now available over the counter in UK pharmacies.

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Last updated: 19 March 2006