One big mistake can mean a lifetime of regret, writes Katherine MacAlister as the Oxford Mail starts Love Week - a series of features on relationships. Ruth in TV's EastEnders is in a dilemma. She's pregnant, after throwing caution to the wind just the once, and now doesn't know what to do. But once is enough and, with the Millennium celebrations already firmly on many people's minds, it is worth noting the festive season - combining booze and goodwill - is one of the most notoriousdangerous times of the year for "slip-ups".

So before the big bang next year get geared up.

Office parties and general revelling combine goodwill and booze, a deadly combination sexually.

The huge increase in the sales of condoms speaks for itself - and the Asda store chain alone saw a staggering increase of 91 per cent over the last festive season. But obviously not enough of the things actually found their way out of the packets - because pregnancy test kits were in fierce demand as well by New Year.

So, as this week has been designated In fact, the supermarket chain is still coping with the demand and frantically restocking its shelves. But now it's resolution season and time to reflect on our mistakes. Coincidentally, it's Contraception Awareness Week, we thought we'd explain a few facts and options.

So, to save you rushing out to get the morning after pill with a hangover next year,

The first thing to do to prevent the unwanted patter of tiny feet is to get to know about your local family planning clinic.

The busiest period for the Alec Turnbull Clinic in Oxford is after Christmas, Valentine's Day and May Day, in short the year's biggest parties.

And next year the clinic is expecting to be extremely busy once the dust has settled after the Millennium celebrations.

Dr Liz Greenhall, director of Oxfordshire's Family Planning Service, said: "I can understand why. It's human nature to let your hair down once in a while. It happens.

"It's no coincidence that Contraception Awareness Week covers Valentine's Day," she said. Last year, 7,000 patients used the family planning centre in Oxford. A further 7,000 visited clinics in other parts of Oxfordshire.

But still the message is not getting through to groups that may need the facility most. Teenage pregnancy is increasingon the up and one in five pregnancies still ends in termination.

"People still need to know what contraception is available, where to get it and how it works," Dr Greenhall, 55, said.

She is keen to stress that the service is free, confidential, open six days a week in Oxford and appointments are not needed.

The predominantly female doctors and nurses are not judgemental and don't need to know about your sexual history.

She said: "Young girls may be worried about going to their GP or that someone will find out. It's often difficult for them to talk to their parents about it. Here, confidentiality is paramount. We are just concerned that they don't get pregnant if it can be avoided.

"Just by walking through the door they are acting responsibly, which we respect." Dr Greenhall added: "If they get the right sex education in the first place they will know about contraception, but maybe not where to get it or what happens in a family planning clinic.

The clinic organises tours and lectures involving schools, to get the message across so no-one is scared to go through its doors." she added.

There are also several misunderstandings about the types of contraception on offer. "The number of terminations proves that people are still having problems using contraception because they are worried about the health risks or side-effects," Dr Greenhall said.

"We have a helpline here and can answer any queries. For example, a common myth is that the emergency pill, wrongly known as the morning after pill, is dangerous and should only be used a few times in a lifetime.

"That's rubbish. It's so safe they are thinking of allowing it to be sold over the counter. "And it's not just for the morning after. Women have got 72 hours to get hold of it." But a word of warning - it only prevents 75 per cent of pregnancies, so is not a reliable long-term method of long-term contraceptive. Top of the popularity stakes is still the Pill, followed by condoms and female sterilisation.

But did you know that by vomiting or having diarrhoea - or taking antibiotics - the Pill can be rendered useless and alternative methods need to be used for up to seven days afterwards?

The female condom has been a big flop and the male pill is still not yet available.

Other options which are growing in popularity include an injection, administered where the woman is injected four times a year and doesn't have any periods. There is a danger of weight gain but only in a minority of cases.

And another myth is that injections make it harder to conceive. True, it may take a few months longer, but the chances are the same. The coil is permanent and recommended for women who have had children. Another option that gives women total control without permanence is the cap.

The withdrawal method is better than nothing, but not really an effective form of contraception method.

Dr Greenhall said: "Choosing your contraception is just like choosing a pair of shoes. Getting the colour, size, price and style right takes time and you'll have to try a few pairs on before you decide.

"The problem is that everyone looks for the ideal method. There isn't one, but there is a variety and a form that will suit you."

The family planning clinic also advises on pregnancies, does on-the-spot pregnancy tests and treats sexually-transmitted diseases.

Chlamydia, which affects the cervix is top of the list, yet few people have heard of it.

And it's very dangerous because it can prevent conception in later life yet is hard to diagnose. Symptoms to look out for are pain during sex and urination, eye irritation and irregular periods. But it can be treated.

All in all, there's more going on at your family planning clinic than you might imagine. And with clinics at Oxford, Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Didcot, Kidlington, Thame, Wantage and Witney there's no excuse not to go.

Shame Ruth didn't check her local clinic out. For further information call 01865 486122.

Story date: Monday 08 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.