I AM 18 years old and still in school. I am in love with a 21-year-old man

I would like to know if it is possible for me to have an abortion without my boyfriend knowing. I suspect that I am pregnant and I don't want to have the baby.

If he finds out I am pregnant, he will insist that I have the baby.

Will he be able to tell from my body that I have had an abortion? - Scared Girl, Soweto

SIS DUDU RESPONDS:

It is possible to have an abortion without your boyfriend knowing.

After the abortion you would have to wait for at least a month before having sex.

This is important because you would bleed after the abortion and if you were to have sex before your body healed you would risk infection.

You are not sure whether you are pregnant and you should establish this first. Go to a hospital or clinic and ask to be tested.

You can also buy a pregnancy test kit from a chemist. This is a serious procedure to have and you really need to discuss your decision with a knowledgeable person before you go ahead.

Also find out about precautions to take to avoid pregnancy in future as well as life-threatening sexually transmitted diseases.