What is contraception?
Contraception aims to prevent pregnancy, and it is free through the NHS.
There are many different types of contraception available, as different methods suit different people. Finding the most suitable contraception is not always easy, and it is normal to have questions. Our service is here to help you explore your options.
Some contraceptive methods use hormones, some don’t. Contraceptive hormones are usually very safe and do not impact your long-term fertility.
You can discuss your choices at a sexual health clinic, with your GP or practice nurse. During the consultation, they will discuss your medical history and what best suits your wants, needs and lifestyle.
Even if you are under 16 you can get free and confidential advice about sex and contraception. Everything will be kept private unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm and they will talk to you first.
The information below gives a brief overview of the available methods. You may find it useful to visit the Contraception Choices website which provides reliable, balanced information to help you weigh up the pros and cons of each method so you can make the choice that’s right for you.
Use the buttons below to scroll to find out more information about the individual contraception methods.
IUD-Cu – copper coil
- A plastic and copper device fitted into the womb (uterus) with local anaesthetic.
- Changes to periods – no change to regularity but may be heavier, longer and/or more painful.
- Effectiveness: around 99%.
- Lasts 5 – 10 years depending on the type of device.
- Some GPs are able to offer this option, please check with your GP.
- Advantage: It does not contain hormones.
- Disadvantage: Insertion and removal must be performed by trained healthcare professionals.
IUS – hormonal coil
- A small T-shaped device fitted into the womb (uterus) with local anaesthetic.
- Contains progesterone (hormone).
- Changes to periods – they may become lighter, irregular (longer/shorter) or stop.
- Effectiveness: around 99%.
- Lasts up to 3-8 years depending on type.
- Some GPs are able to offer this option, please check with your GP.
- Advantage: Have and forget about method. Low dose of hormones. Often reduces period pain and bleeding. Can help with some gynaecological problems e.g. period problems and endometriosis.
- Disadvantage: Insertion and removal must be performed by trained healthcare professionals.
Implant
- A small, flexible plastic rod fitted just under the skin in the upper arm.
- Contains progesterone (hormone).
- Changes to periods – they may become lighter, irregular (longer/shorter) or stop.
- Effectiveness: around 99%.
- Lasts for 3 years.
- Some GPs are able to fit and remove implants, please check with your GP.
- Advantage: Fertility should return to levels expected for you after removal.
- Disadvantage: Insertion and removal must be performed by trained healthcare professionals.
An implant is licensed for use for three years, though still has a very low risk of pregnancy for up to four years. When your implant is coming to the end of the three-year period, please contact the service for an appointment to have this replaced.
Contraceptive injection
- Injected into the stomach or buttock.
- Contains progesterone (hormone).
- Changes to periods – periods may become lighter, irregular (longer/shorter) or stop.
- Effectiveness: around 94% with typical use, 99% with perfect use.
- Taken every 12 weeks.
- Sexual health and GPs are able to offer this injection.
- Advantage: No procedure, so considered less invasive than other long-acting contraception. Often reduces period pain and bleeding. Can help with some gynaecological problems e.g. period problems, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premenstrual Syndrome.
- Disadvantage: Can take up to a year for fertility to return to normal.
If you are on an injectable contraception, remember it is effective for 14 weeks from your last injection. Contact us on 0300 131 7010 to arrange a consultation for your next injection.
Combined Pill
- Tablets you take either with up to a week break or daily.
- Contains oestrogen and progesterone (hormones).
- Changes to periods – periods may become more regular, lighter and less painful.
- Effectiveness: Around 91% with typical use, 99% with perfect use.
- You can get contraceptive pills from sexual health, GP and some pharmacies.
- Advantage: Often reduces period pain and bleeding. Can help with some gynaecological problems e.g. period problems, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premenstrual Syndrome.
- Disadvantage: Need to remember to take and effectiveness can be affected by vomiting or diarrhoea.
If you have missed taking your pill, try not to worry. Access the following link for information on what to do: Information on missed combined pill (external link).
Progesterone – only pill
- Tablets you take every day.
- Contains progesterone (hormone).
- It may be suitable if you cannot or prefer not to take contraception that has oestrogen.
- Changes to periods – periods may become lighter, irregular (longer/shorter) or stop.
- Effectiveness: Around 91% with typical use, 99% with perfect use.
- You can get contraceptive pills from sexual health, GP and some pharmacies.
- Advantage: Often reduces period pain and bleeding. Can help with some gynaecological problems e.g. period problems, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premenstrual Syndrome.
- Disadvantage: Need to remember to take and effectiveness can be affected by vomiting or diarrhoea.
If you have missed taking your pill, try not to worry. Access the following link for information on what to do: Information on missed progesterone-only pill (external link).
Patch
- Small patch stuck onto the skin.
- Contains progesterone and oestrogen (hormones).
- Changes to periods – periods may become more regular, lighter and less painful.
- Effectiveness: around 91% with typical use, 99% with perfect use.
- Change weekly – usually used for 3 weeks in a row, then 1 week break.
- Advantage: Often reduces period pain and bleeding. Can help with some gynaecological problems e.g. period problems, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premenstrual Syndrome.
- Disadvantage: Visible on the skin, and currently only available in a pink colour.
Vaginal ring
- Flexible ring you put inside the vagina.
- One ring lasts a month, usually 3 weeks in 1 week out.
- Contains progesterone and oestrogen (hormones).
- Changes to periods – periods may become more regular, lighter and less painful.
- Effectiveness: around 91% with typical use, 99% with perfect use.
- Advantage: Often reduces period pain and bleeding. Can help with some gynaecological problems e.g. period problems, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premenstrual Syndrome.
- Disadvantage: A healthcare professional needs to teach you how to put it in.
Male condom (external)
- Barrier method – thin cover put over the penis during sex.
- Effectiveness: around 82% with typical use, 98% with perfect use.
- Does not contain hormones.
- Use each time you have sex.
- Get dree and easy access to condoms with a C-card or buy from a shop.
- Advantage: Offers protection from STIs.
- Disadvantage: Putting it on can involve interruption of sex.
Female condom (internal)
- Barrier method – thin cover inserted into the vagina before sex.
- Does not contain hormones.
- No changes to periods.
- Use each time you have sex.
- Effectiveness: around 79% effective with typical use, 98% with perfect use.
- Buy from a shop
- Advantage: Offers protection from STIs.
- Disadvantage: Could accidentally come out of place.
Diaphragms and Caps
- Flexible dome that fits inside the vagina, used with spermicide.
- Does not contain hormones.
- No changes to periods.
- Use each time you have sex.
- Effectiveness: between 71-88% with typical use, 92-96% with perfect use.
- Advantage: May be suitable if you cannot or do not want to take hormones.
- Disadvantage: Insertion technique needs a bit of practice and involves forward planning or interruption of sex.
Tracking methods
- Monitoring signs of fertility such as body temperature and thickness of fluid in the vagina, and calculating fertile times from menstrual cycle dates.
- Does not contain hormones.
- No changes to periods.
- Need to avoid unprotected sex at fertile times.
- Effectiveness: Around 75-91% effective with typical use and75-99% effective with perfect use.
- Advantage: No hormonal side effects.
- Disadvantage: It can be tricky to learn – teaching from a qualified fertility awareness teacher is recommended.