Keep your wits about you and you can avoid a night you’ll regret.

When partying:

Avoid binge drinking. A glass or two may help loosen you up, but too much will lower your inhibitions, making you more prone to reckless behaviour like unprotected sex.

If you’re leaving with a guy, tell your friends his name, where you’re going and, if possible, his mobile number. If he knows that your friends are looking out for you, he’s less likely to try anything dodgy.

If you’re not on the Pill, slip a condom into your clutch before heading out – just in case.

The next morning:

If you had unprotected sex, get a morning-after pill from your GP or gynaecologist. It is estimated to prevent seven out of eight pregnancies. Ella, one of the newer morning-after pills, can be taken up to five days after sex.

If you suspect you were raped, immediately write down everything you remember about what happened, including who might have seen you leaving the party. These details will help police investigations, such as when they’re looking for witnesses.

The next few weeks:

To rule out pregnancy, take a pregnancy test kit within a week of missing your period.

Get checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You can take a HIV/Aids test as early as one month later.

The Health Promotion Board’s website lists clinics that offer anonymous HIV testing and give you results within 20 minutes. You have to take more tests for other STDs like gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Visit www.dsc-sexualhealth.com.sg for more information.