What are the Contraception methods | Tips about which method is most suitable for you | NextMamas.
There are several issues to consider when deciding which method of contraception is right for you.
Once you have read this information, you can go to your GP or local contraceptive methods(family planning) to discuss your choices. Remember, the only way to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections is to use a condom every time you have sex.
Other methods of contraception prevent pregnancy, but they do not protect against STIs. Answer the questions on this page to help you decide which method is most suitable for you.
How effective are the different methods?
The list below shows how effective each of the 15 different methods is, and how often you need to use them or think about them (frequency of use). The effectiveness of each method is worked out by calculating how many women get pregnant if 100 women use the method for a year. For example, if a particular contraceptive method is 99% effective, 1 woman out of every 100 who uses it will get pregnant in a year. Some methods listed below, such as the pill, include the phrase "if used correctly". This is because people who use these methods have to use them every time they have sex or remember to take or apply them every day, week, or month. If the method is not used correctly, it will not be as effective.
Contraceptives that are more than 99% effective:
Contraceptive Implants(lasts up to 3 years)
- Intrauterine system or IUS (up to 5 years).
- Intrauterine devices or IUDs also called the coil (up to 5 to 10 years).
- Female sterilisation (permanent).
- Male sterilization or vasectomy (permanent).
Contraceptives that are more than 99% effective if always used correctly, but generally less than 95% effective with typical use:
- Contraceptive injections (renewed every 8 weeks or every 12 weeks, depending on the type).
- Combined pill(taken every day for 3 weeks out of every month).
- Progesterone only pill (taken every day).
- Contraceptive patch renewed each week for 3 weeks in every month).
- Vaginal ring(renewed once a month).
Contraceptives that are 99% effective if used according to teaching instructions:
- symptothermal method of natural family planning (daily monitoring of body temperature and cervical mucus).
Contraceptives that are 98% effective if used correctly:
- Male condom (every time you have sex).
Contraceptives that are 95% effective if used correctly:
- Female condom (every time you have sex).
Contraceptives that are 92 to 96% effective if used correctly:
- Diaphragm or cap with spermicide (every time you have sex)
Can you make contraception part of your daily routine?
If you're a well-organized person with a reasonably regular routine, you have a wide choice of contraception. This is because you're less likely to forget about your contraception by forgetting to take a pill or reapply a patch, for example.
You may want to use a method that you only need to use when you have sex, such as the male or female condom, or you may prefer a method that you need to take every day, such as the pill. Or you may want to consider methods like the patch, injection, or implant, which you do not need to use every day or each time you have sex.
The list below shows how often you need to use, replace or take each contraceptive method. Once you have looked at the list, ask your GP or a doctor or nurse at your local clinic for more details.
Methods used each time you have sex:
- Male condoms and female condoms.
- Diaphragm or cap.
Methods took on a daily basis:
- the pill (the combined pill or the progesterone-only pill), but there are some types of 21- day pills where you have a week "off" each month.
Methods replaced every week:
- Contraceptive patch
Methods replaced every month:
- Vaginal ring
Methods renewed every 2 to 3 months:
- Contraceptive injections
Methods renewed up to every 3 years:
- Contraceptive implants
Methods renewed up to every 5 to 10 years:
- Intrauterine device
- Intrauterine system
Would you prefer contraception you do not have to remember every day?
Not all contraceptives have to be taken every day or each time you have sex.
You do not have to think about some contraceptives for months or years.
These methods need to be inserted by a health professional into your uterus (IUD or IUS) or arm (the implant):
- Intrauterine device (lasts up to 5 to 10 years, depending on the type).
- Intrauterine system (lasts up to 3 to 5 years, depending on the type).
- Contraceptive implant (lasts 3 years).
The contraceptive injections can be given in 1 of 2 ways: either by intramuscular injection into the buttock or as a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen. This is given every 8 weeks or every 12 weeks, depending on the type. The subcutaneous injection can be given by a health professional, or you can be shown how to inject it yourself.
Other contraceptives that need to be changed or replaced every month or week are:
- Vaginal ring (worn for 3 weeks out of every 4).
- Contraceptive patch (a new patch is used each week for 3 weeks out of every 4) Other contraceptives used or inserted just before sex are:
- Diaphragm or cap.
- male condom or female condom.
Ask your GP or a doctor or nurse at your local contraceptive clinic for more details.
Are you comfortable inserting contraceptives into your vagina?
If you're a woman, are you comfortable inserting contraceptives into your own vagina? If so, you could consider using:
- vaginal ring.
- female condoms.
- a diaphragm or cap.
If you'd like a method that's longer term and you do not mind a health professional putting a contraceptive into your uterus through your vagina, you could consider using:
- intrauterine device (IUD).
- intrauterine system (IUS)
Do you mind if your periods change?
Some contraceptives can affect your periods. Some may make your periods lighter or more infrequent. Others may make your periods heavier or more irregular. Ask your GP or a doctor or nurse at your local clinic for more details.
Contraceptives that can make your periods lighter include:
- the pill (combined pill or progestogen-only pill).
- contraceptive patch.
- contraceptive injection.
- intrauterine system (IUS).
- vaginal ring.
Do you smoke?
Smokers can use most types of contraception. But if you're a smoker and over 35 years old, some contraceptives (such as the combined pill, patch, or vaginal ring) might not be suitable for you.
Ask your GP or a doctor or a nurse at your local clinic for more details.
If you're over 35 and smoke, you can consider the following types of contraceptives:
- intrauterine device (IUD).
- intrauterine system (IUS).
- contraceptive implant.
- contraceptive injection.
- progestogen-only pill.
Find out how to stop smoking
Are you overweight?
Your weight will not affect most types of contraception, and most contraception will not make you put on weight. But the contraceptive injection has been linked to a small amount of weight gain if used for 2 years or more.
Find out how to lose weight.
What if you cannot use hormonal contraceptives?
Some contraceptives work by using hormones that are similar to the hormones women produce naturally. These hormones are estrogen and progestogen.
Contraceptives that contain these hormones aren't suitable for some women, such as those who have medical conditions like breast cancer.
Not all contraceptive methods use hormones. Some work in other ways, including:
- intrauterine device (IUD).
- male condoms or female condoms.
- diaphragm or cap.
What if you cannot use contraceptives that contain oestrogen?
Contraceptives that contain estrogen are not suitable for women who:
- are over 35 and who smoke.
- are very overweight.
- take certain medicines.
- have certain medical conditions, such as problems with blood circulation or migraines with aura.
If you cannot use contraceptives that contain estrogen, there are plenty of other options, including:
- intrauterine device (IUD).
- intrauterine system (IUS).
- contraceptive implant.
- contraceptive injection.
- progestogen-only pill.
Are you taking medicines for other conditions?
Some contraceptives can be affected if you're taking other medicines, but there are plenty of options.
Ask your GP, nurse or your local clinic for more details.
Contraceptives that are not affected by other medicines are:
- intrauterine device (IUD).
- intrauterine system (IUS).
- contraceptive injection.
- diaphragm or cap.
- male condoms or female condoms.
Do you want to get pregnant in the near future?
All methods of contraception can be stopped if you want to have a baby. You can get pregnant as soon as you stop using contraception.
A woman's fertility usually returns to normal within the first month after stopping the combined pill, vaginal ring, or contraceptive patch.
If you want your fertility to return to normal quickly after you stop using contraception, consider these methods:
- Contraceptive implant.
- Intrauterine system.
- Intrauterine device.
- Progesterone only pill.
- Diaphragm or cap.
- Male condoms or female condoms.
Your fertility may take longer to return to normal after stopping the contraceptive injection. Most women's fertility will return in a few months, but it can take up to a year for fertility to return to normal.
Author: Dr. Iram Gill
Dr. Iram Gill is an MBBS doctor by profession and a Content Writer by passion. She is a mother as well and has observed the health-related challenges faced by mothers and babies. She wants to play her part in increasing access and support for breastfeeding and maternal health problems.
