December 2007: "Stock up on emergency contraception and condoms before the festive party season" advises Marie Stopes International

Marie Stopes International (MSI), is offering festive family planning packs (containing emergency contraception and condoms) at £15 in an effort to reduce the incidence of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections over Christmas and the New Year.

The Christmas period is typically a time of excess alcohol, fewer inhibitions and casual hook ups. Unfortunately, this can lead to a failure to use contraception which results in increasing numbers of unwanted pregnancies and a heightened chance of contracting STI’s. In January and February of 2007, more women than ever before in MSI’s thirty year history, attended its nine UK centres for abortion services.

Startling figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) illustrate that the number of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) diagnosed has grown every year since 1997.

According to 2004 survey commissioned by Trojan Condoms, which asked UK office workers about their attitudes to works Christmas parties, almost one third (33%) of those surveyed claimed to have had sex with a colleague either during or after an office party whilst, 41% confessed they were unlikely to carry condoms.

Research published just this week in the International Journal of STD & AIDS, claims that 76% of respondents attending a GUM clinic admitted to having unprotected sex as a result of drinking.

“Everyone wants to unwind and have fun at Christmas but it’s incredibly important that we take more care of ourselves,” said Liz Davies, Director of UK Operations at Marie Stopes International.

“Figures from the Health Protection Agency and MSI’s own experience as an abortion provider, suggest that contraceptive methods are not being used sufficiently or effectively enough. We hope that offering festive family planning packs at such a good price will help encourage people to look after themselves and make prevention rather than cure a priority.“

Each pack contains two condoms, two luminous spikeys (to stop people spiking your drink), the Emergency Contraception pill (Levonelle 1500), a pocket sized Christmas sexual health guide and even a festive chocolate.

“At £15, our festive family planning packs are much cheaper than getting emergency contraception and condoms over the counter at a pharmacy” adds Liz Davies. “It also makes sense to buy the emergency contraception pill in advance as the earlier you take it after a contraceptive accident, the more effective it is. Of course it’s always sensible to stock up on contraception before the party season as it means you don’t have to panic later on especially when many local surgeries and pharmacies are closed over the Christmas period.”

For further information or to arrange a consultation call 0845 3008090.