Contraception the facts:
Before you start thinking about having sex it is important to know that you can still get pregnant:
- If it is the first time you have had sex
- If you do not have an orgasm
- If a man pulls his penis out of your vagina before he comes (ejaculates)
- If you have sex during a period
- If you have irregular periods
- Having sex in any position
But by using contraception you can take control of your life by dramatically reducing your risk of becoming pregnant and, depending on which contraception you use, protecting your body against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Where to get Contraception:
The best place to get contraception is from your doctor or a family planning clinic. Both offer confidential services and are completely free.
For details of your nearest family planning organisation click here.
If you are sixteen or older you can buy condoms and emergency contraception from a supermarket or pharmacy.
Remember it is still illegal to have sex under the age of sixteen.
Which Contraception?
There are many types of contraception available. The most common recommended types are listed below:
The Condom
What is it?
There are two different types of condoms; the male condom and the female condom.
Both are made of very thin latex rubber or plastic. A condom fits over the penis and the female condom fits inside the vagina. Both can be put on/in before having sex and work by stopping sperm from reaching eggs.
Effectiveness
The male condom is 99% effective and the female condom is 95% effective if you use them properly.
Advantages
As well as preventing pregnancy, condoms help to protect against STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and the HIV virus. The male condom comes in different shapes, colours and sizes. Both condoms are widely available from your GP, family planning centre, youth groups and local chemist. Unlike other contraception they do not have any medical side effects.
Downsides
Condoms can tear and break if caught on long nails or jewellery. Male condoms can slip off the penis and female condoms can be pushed too far up the vagina. Some people might also be sensitive to the chemicals that are used in the latex, although this is quite rare.
Note: Always check the packaging of condoms as some are designed purely for fun and should not be used for contraception! Also check the use-by-date on the wrapper.
The Cap or Diaphragm
What is it?
The cap or diaphragm contraception fit over your cervix (which is the entrance to your womb).
Both are made out of soft latex or silicone.
How they work?
In order to work properly the cap and diaphragm are used with spermicides that help keep sperms at bay and stop sperm from meeting eggs.
Effectiveness
The cap and diaphragm are between 92 and 96% effective.
Advantages
The advantage of the cap and diaphragm is that there are no serious health risks and you can put them in at a convenient time before having sex.
Downsides
They can be fiddly and take some time to use. Fitting the cap or diaphragm can interrupt sex and the spermicide can be messy. Some people may be sensitive to the chemicals in the latex. They don’t protect from STIs.
The Pill
What is it?
There are two types of pill; the combined pill or progestogen-only pill (POP). The pills contain different levels of hormones. Your doctor or family planning nurse can advise on the best one for you by looking at your family history and medical records.
How they work?
Both pills stop the woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs each month. They also make the lining of the womb thinner so it is less likely to want to accept an egg.
Effectiveness
Both pills are 99% effective if taken properly.
Advantages
The good thing about taking the pill is that it doesn’t interrupt sex.
The combined pill can help with period pain and make periods lighter. It also protects against cancer of the ovary, womb and colon.
The progestogen only pill can help with period pain. There are also no major side affects using this pill.
Downsides
Both pills do not protect from STIs or the HIV virus.
The combined pill must be taken every day. There are a couple of temporary side affects including headaches, feeling sick, some breast tenderness, bleeding in between periods, weight gain or weight loss and change in moods. The pill is not always suitable for teenage girls who have a history of blood clots, severe migraines, high blood pressure, breast cancer or diabetes in their family. It is advised that you don’t smoke when using the pill because this can lead to more serious long-term side affects.
The progestogen only pill has to be taken at a certain time every day. Temporary side affects include spots, headaches and tender breasts. The pill is not always suitable for teenage girls who have a history of breast cancer, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks or strokes in their family.
The Contraceptive Patch
What is it?
The contraceptive patch looks like a big plaster and is applied to the skin to release the same hormones as the combined pill: oestrogen and progestogen.
How does it work?
The patch can be applied to the arm, leg or stomach. It releases hormones into the blood stream, which like the pill stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.
Effectiveness
The patch is 99% effective if applied properly.
Advantages
The patch is easy to use and you only have to change the patch once a week.
It also doesn’t interrupt sex.
Downsides
Like the pill the patch does not protect against STIs including the HIV virus. There might also be some physical side effects. These include irregular bleeding, headaches, tender breasts, moodiness, cramps and weight gain or weight loss. The patch might cause redness or a rash to the skin. The patch is not always suitable for teenage girls who have a history of breast cancer, high blood pressure or strokes in their family. It is advised that you don’t smoke when using the patch because this can lead to more serious long-term side effects.
Emergency Contraception
What is it?
If you have unprotected sex (without contraception) or you don’t use your contraception properly then you can use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of emergency contraception available: emergency pills and the intrauterine device (IDU).
How does it work?
The emergency pill can be taken up to 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex. Although it’s best to take it within 24 hours to ensure pregnancy doesn’t occur. The pill works by stopping eggs being released.
The IUD needs to be fitted within five days. This is done by a trained nurse or doctor. The IUD stops eggs from becoming fertilised.
Effectiveness
The emergency pill is 99% effective and the IUD is 98% effective if used properly.
Advantages
Both the emergency pill and IUD are good in an emergency situation. Neither have any long term side affects. But they should never be used as a regular contraception.
Downsides
The emergency pill can cause headaches, tender breasts, cramps and tiredness. Some people can feel sick as well.
The contraceptive injection
What is it?
The contraceptive injection contains the hormone progestogen. Depo-Provera is the most usual brand which is given every 12 weeks. There is another brand called Noristerat, which is sometimes given but you can only have up to two injections in every eight weeks.
How does it work?
The progestogen is injected into a muscle in your bottom and released bit by bit into the bloodstream. Primarily it works by stopping ovulation (when the ovaries release an egg) each month. It also thickens the mucus from the cervix which stops the sperm from reaching and fertilising the egg and therefore stops you from getting pregnant. Additionally it makes the lining of the uterus (womb) thinner. This makes it hard for a fertilised egg to attach to the uterus.
Effectiveness
The injections are more than 99 per cent effective. This means that of the women using this method, less than one in 100 will get pregnant each year.
Advantages
It's highly effective and you don’t have to remember a pill or think about contraception for 2-3 months. It doesn't interfere with sex. It may help you if you suffer from heavy periods or pre-menstrual tension (PMT). It may also help protect you from pelvic infection and cancer of the womb.
Downsides
Once you’ve had the injection – that’s it, and you have to live with any side effects you may suffer from until it wears off – maybe even a bit longer. The most common side effect is disruption to your bleeding and may include irregular bleeding, longer periods, or no bleeding at all, Other side effects may be headaches, mood swings, spots, breast discomfort and bloating. You may also put on weight in the first year and it can sometimes take a long while for your periods to get back to normal and your fertility to return once you have stopped the injections. You also shouldn't use the injection if you have, or have had certain health problems. You will need to check this through with your doctor or family planning nurse. The contraceptive injection does not offer any protection against STIs.
The contraceptive implant
What is it?
The contraceptive implant is a tiny rod or tube that's inserted under the skin on the inside of your non-dominant upper arm. The rod gradually releases a hormone called progestogen over a period of three years. This means that it’s a long-term method of contraception.
How does it work?
The implant works primarily by stopping ovulation (when the ovaries release an egg) each month. It also thickens the mucus from the cervix which stops the sperm from reaching the egg. As well as this it stops a fertilised egg from attaching to the uterus (womb).
Effectiveness
The contraceptive implant is more than 99 per cent effective. This means that of the women using this method, less than one in 100 will get pregnant each year.
Advantages
It's highly effective and doesn't interfere with sex. It lasts for up to 3 years. Once the implant has been removed you should return to your normal fertility quite quickly. The implant also gives some protection against pelvic infections. You don't have to take pills or think about contraception until it wears off. The implant can be removed if you don’t get on with it.
Downsides
You may have irregular bleeding, which can last longer than a year or you may have no bleeding at all. Other side effects include headaches, weight gain, spots, breast discomfort and bloating. In very thin women the rod can sometimes be seen. Occasionally women may get cysts on their ovaries. These are nothing to worry about though, as they don’t usually cause any pain or problems and often disappear. It’s highly unlikely, but you could get an infection from the implant in your arm. The contraceptive implant does not offer any protection against STIs.
