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Information » Health » Sexual Health » Contraception

• To avoid pregnancy, some form of contraception should always be used during sexual intercourse
  
• Every year almost 100,000 teenagers become pregnant because they didn’t use any contraception
  
• There are many different types of contraception and different methods will suit different people
  
• Remember no form of contraception is 100% effective

Condoms

• Made of very thin latex, a condom is put over the erect penis to stop sperm entering the women’s vagina
  
• Condoms are 98% effective if used properly
  
• Can protect partners against pregnancy AND sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. See the SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES section
  
• Condoms are free at any family planning clinic and are widely sold in chemists, supermarkets and toilet vending machines
  
• A new condom must be used each time you have sex
  
• Only use condoms with a BSI Kitemark (BS EN 600) and CE Mark on the pack
  
• Always check the expiry date before using a condom
  
• Some lubricants can seriously damage condoms and should not be used near them. These include:
  
  • After sun and suntan lotions
    
  • Aromatherapy oils
    
  • Baby oil and massage oil
    
  • Bath oil
    
  • Butter
    
  • Ice cream
    
  • Lipstick
    
  • Vaseline
    
  • Any oil-based substance or cream
    
• Non-latex condoms are also widely available

Contraceptive pill

• Over 99% effective if used properly, the contraceptive pill (also known as the combined pill) is taken daily by the women to prevent pregnancy
  
• The pill will not protect partners from sexually transmitted diseases
  
• The pill works by using two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen – to stop ovulation (when the ovary releases an egg)
  
• It can reduce period pains and bleeding during periods
  
• The pill is not suitable for all women and can have rare, but serious side effects, such as blood clots (thrombosis), breast cancer and cervical cancer
  
• Not suitable for smokers
  
• If you are more than 12 hours late taking a pill, always use a condom for the next seven days as you might not be protected
  
• The pill may also not work if you vomit or have diarrhoea, so use a condom if you think you might not be protected
  
• There are different types of contraceptive pill. Please see your family planning clinic or GP to find the right one for you

Contraceptive injection

• Over 99% effective, the injection lasts for up to 12 weeks at a time
  
• It works by releasing the hormone progestogen slowly into the body to stop ovulation
  
• It can cause headaches, weight gain and acne
  
• Periods may be irregular or stop altogether during use

Other forms of contraception include:

• The female condom (95% effective) - inserted into the vagina
  
• The diaphragm/cap (92-96% effective) - inserted into the vagina
  
• Progestogen-only pill (99% effective) – stops ovulation. Suitable for smokers
  
• Implant (Over 99% effective) – placed under skin of upper arm and stops ovulation by releasing progestogen into the bloodstream
  
• Intrauterine System, known as IUS, (over 99% effective) – a small plastic device that is inserted into the vagina releasing hormones to stop ovulation]
  
• Intrauterine Device, known as IUD, (98-99% effective) – a small plastic or copper device that sits in the womb preventing sperm meeting an egg or an egg settling in the womb
  
• Female sterilisation (over 99% effective) – cuts the fallopian tubes permanently to stop sperm ever reaching an egg. Requires an operation.
  
• Male sterilisation (over 99% effective) – cuts the tubes carrying sperm so no sperm is present in semen. It is permanent and requires an operation. There are ways to reverse the sterilisation, but it is difficult and expensive

If you have any questions about choosing contraception, pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, please visit your GP for family planning clinic for advice or see the links below.

Emergency contraception

If you’ve had sex without using contraception or think your method might have failed, there are two emergency measures you can take:

• Emergency pills (known as morning-after pills)
  These are available free from your local family planning clinic or GP and must be taken up to 72 hours (three days) after sex to be effective. The earlier they are taken, the more effective they will be. You can also buy them from a chemist if you are 16 years or over for approximately £20
  
• An IUD
  See information above. This can be fitted up to five days after sex.