Introduction
There are lots of contraceptive options on the market and it can be difficult choosing the right one for you. We often make choices based on previous experience, advice from friends and family, the internet, and social media searches.
Remember, that one size does not fit all, which means that contraception that has worked well for one person, may not necessarily be the best fit for you. Don’t worry! We are here to help you make the right choice. We have compiled a very simple contraception summary for you.
Fit and forget contraception
These are ‘long-acting’ forms of contraception so you don’t need to worry about remembering to take anything! However, they don’t last forever, so make sure you keep a record of the date of your fitting or insertion and when it needs to be replaced.
Mirena coil: Yes (Progestogen)
Copper coil IUD: No
Implant: Yes (Progestogen)
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: Yes (Progestogen)
Mirena coil: No, so you need to use condoms
Copper coil IUD: No, so you need to use condoms
Implant: No, so you need to use condoms
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: No, so you need to use condoms
Mirena coil: 99%
Copper coil IUD: 99%
Implant: 99%
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: 94-95%
Mirena coil: 3-5yrs
Copper coil IUD: 5-10yrs
Implant: 3yrs
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: 8-13 weeks
Mirena coil: May be shorter, lighter, may stop , may have irregular bleeding in the first 3-6 months
Copper coil IUD: May be heavier, longer, more painful, may bleed between periods
Implant: May be longer, may be more frequent, heavier, irregular, or may stop
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: May be lighter, may stop, may be longer, irregular, heavier
Mirena coil: May get spots, headaches, breast pain
Copper coil IUD: may make periods heavier, lighter, more painful may bleed between periods
Implant: May get spots, headaches, breast pain, or have mood changes
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: May get spots, headaches, breast pain, or have mood changes; small loss of bone density which recovers after stopping
Mirena coil: First line treatment for heavy periods, can be used as part of HRT during the menopause May reduce pain of endometriosis and adenomyosis
Copper coil IUD: Can use if you can’t have oestrogen, may be associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer and cervical cancer, Can be used as emergency contraception
Implant: Can use if you can’t have oestrogen, may help with painful periods
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: Can use if you can’t have oestrogen
Mirena coil: Returns to normal after removal
Copper coil IUD: Returns to normal after removal
Implant: Returns to normal after removal
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: May be delayed by up to a year
Mirena coil: Yes
Copper coil IUD: Yes
Implant: Yes
Depoprovera & Sayana Press: Yes
Must not forget contraception
These forms of contraception rely on you remembering to use them correctly and consistently. Forgetting to use your contraception puts you at risk of getting pregnant. So speak to your doctor to help select the best method for you.
Combined Pill/patch/ring: Yes (Oestrogen and Progestogen)
Progestogen-only pill: Yes (progestogen)
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): No
Cap: No
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: No
Combined Pill/patch/ring: No, so you need to use condoms
Progestogen-only pill: No, so you need to use condoms
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): Yes
Cap: No
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: No
Combined Pill/patch/ring: 91% (99% if you use it perfectly)
Progestogen-only pill: 91% (99% if used perfectly)
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): 79-82% (95-98% if used perfectly)
Cap: 71-86% (92-96% if used perfectly)
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: 99%
Combined Pill/patch/ring: Pill: 1 day / Patch: 1 week / Nuvaring: 3 weeks
Progestogen-only pill: 1 day
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): Each episode of sex ONLY (never to be re-used)
Cap: Should last between 2-10yrs if cared for properly
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: as long as required
Combined Pill/patch/ring: May be more regular, lighter, less painful, may stop
Progestogen-only pill: May be lighter, stop, or become irregular
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): No effect on periods
Cap: No effect on periods
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: No effect on periods
Combined Pill/patch/ring: May get headaches, breast tenderness, mood changes, nausea
Progestogen-only pill: May cause acne, breast tenderness/pain and headache
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): No side effects but sometimes condoms can cause irritation
Cap: Need to use the right size for it to work for you properly, need to re-apply spermicide with each episode of sex
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: used when required so you are control of your contraception
Combined Pill/patch/ring: Can reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, and menstrual pain, can improve acne and excessive hair growth, can help with premenstrual symptoms, can reduce risk of recurrence of endometriosis after surgery, can help regulate periods, significantly reduces risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer, reduces risk of colorectal cancer
Progestogen-only pill: Can use if you can’t have oestrogen, may be associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer and cervical cancer
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): Used when required so you control your contraception
Cap: Used when required so you control your contraception
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: You are in control of your contraception
Combined Pill/patch/ring: Returns to normal but can be delayed by 3-6 months
Progestogen-only pill: Returns to normal after use
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): No effect on fertility
Cap: No effect on fertility
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: No effect on fertility
Combined Pill/patch/ring: Yes, but you need to wait 6 weeks after childbirth
Progestogen-only pill: Yes
Condoms: male (external) and female (internal): Yes
Cap: Yes
The Natural family planning method or ‘fertility awareness: Changes in your cycle that can occur due to breast feeding, may make it difficult to apply this method
The snip
This is also referred to as ‘sterilisation’. It should be considered a permanent method of contraception for those who do not want children or do not want any more children. Male sterilisation is called a ‘vasectomy. Female sterilisation is called ‘tubal occlusion’.
Male sterilisation: No
Female sterilisation: No
Male sterilisation: No
Female sterilisation: No
Male sterilisation: 99%
Female sterilisation: 99%
Male sterilisation: Permanent
Female sterilisation: Permanent
Male sterilisation: it won’t
Female sterilisation: it won’t
Male sterilisation: Requires surgery
Female sterilisation: Requires surgery
Male sterilisation: Lifelong contraception
Female sterilisation: Lifelong contraception
Male sterilisation: No further pregnancies
Female sterilisation: No further pregnancies
Male sterilisation: Yes
Female sterilisation: Yes
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