Contraception Guide

Coils (IUD or IUS) are long acting but reversible contraceptives which are implanted once, and then continue to function without any further impute from an individual. An IUD prevents sperm from surviving in the cervix of fallopian tubes, and can prevent the egg from implanting in the womb. They are 99% effective, and can last unto 10 years. they have to be implanted and removed by a medical professional, but they are effective immediately, and also return you to normal fertility immediately on being removed. An IUS (otherwise known as a Mirena coil) releases progestogen into the womb and inhibits the movement of sperm and eggs within the womb and cervix. Again, it is 99% effective and normally functions for around 5 years.

The female combined pill is a pill that contains oestrogen and progestogen (synthetic versions of hormones that occur naturally in the human body). It stops the body from ovulating (releasing an egg) and is considered 99% effective. It requires taking everyday, so forgetful people increase their risk of an unwanted pregnancy.

The male/female condom involves a latex covering (or similar compound) that goes over the end of the penis or in the opening of the vagina. Used correctly, they will protect against unwanted pregnancy and STIs (the only form of contraception to do both). They are considered 98% effective, and it is important to always buy a condom with CE mark on it, which means it

An implant is a small tube that contains progestogen that is inserted under the skin and last for around 3 years. It works in a similar way to the injection, thickening the mucus in the cervix. It is highly effective - 99.9% of users will not get pregnant within a year. It has another key advantage over other forms of contraception, in that it will restore your fertility straightaway when removed. This implanting and removal must be carried out by a medical professional, and of course it doesn

Caps & Diaphragms are both devices made out of latex or silicone and are inserted into the vagina. The caps cover the cervix (the entrance to the womb) and are combined with spermicide to kill any sperm that come into contact. They are reusable, but need to be fitted initially by a medical professional. They are 92-96% effective, but offer only limited protection against STIs.

An injection is a hormone jab that works for between 8 and 12 weeks to prevent pregnancy. It thickens the mucus in the cervix, stopping sperm from reaching the egg, and can also stop the production of the eggs themselves. It is 99% effective and has the advantage of not requiring you to remember to take a pill every day.

Natural Family Planning is a method that requires you to take note of your body

The hormone patch is a sticky patch that delivers oestrogen and progestogen into the body. They work in a smiler way to the pill - you wear one of them each week for 3 weeks, and then have a week off. The prevent pregnancy in the same way as the combined pill, but have the advantage of not requiring you to take a pill each day.

The vaginal ring is inserted into the vagina for 21 days of each month, steadily releasing oestrogen and progestogen to increase the mucus levels in the cervix and prevent sperm from moving and eggs implanting in the womb. It

Female sterilisation is a routine operation that permanently prevents a woman from getting pregnant. The fallopian tubes are sealed, and there is a 99.5% success rate, meaning that only 1 in 20 women will get pregnant after having undergone the operation. There are some small risks that the tubes can reconnect, and the operation is very difficult to reverse, so it should only be considered by those who are certain they no longer wish to get pregnant.

The morning after pill is not considered a form of contraception - instead it is an emergency measure for when your main form of contraception has failed. If taken within 24 hours of having unprotected sex, then the pill is 95% effective, but this decreases overtime. Newer pills and IUD devices can extend the effectiveness of emergency contraception to unto 5 days.

For more information on contraception go to NHS Choices >

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

can i go on the pill and still take amitriptyline will it affect the pill from working

Asked on 12 Jun 2013 15:44 by sian
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I got the implanon put into my arm in October, recently I've felt pregnant but tests are coming up negative. Is this normal?

Asked on 11 Jun 2013 20:39 by Leanne
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I was on the combined pill ovranette for 2 years and the whole time i was on it my stomach bloated out so that i looked pregnant 24/7. i am now off the pill, but after 2 months of being pill free i am still bloated, what is happening and will it ever go?? i never had this problem before going on the pill. also my period is 3 weeks late (i am not sexually active)

Asked on 7 Jun 2013 23:30 by Victoria
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I had a miscarriage in January and after 5 weeks my periods returned and seemed to be more or less as regular as before, I haven't had a period for nearly 8 weeks now and home pregnancy tests say not pregnant, I went to my gp and was told to re do a pregnancy test which was no help, any one have any ideas? X

Asked on 4 Jun 2013 21:17 by Demi
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I recently had an IUD placed and every time i have a period it comes down and just sits at the edge of outside of my vagina so the strings are hanging out. Is this normal?

Posted on 1 Jun 2013 00:39 by Sarah-
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Sarah, I would be heading back to the doctor to ensure if this is the case.. You also want to be confident the product is doing the job its meant to be doing.. Take the guessing out and take control of situation and head back to Doc's for assurance or refitting..???

Posted on 2 Jun 2013 00:56 by m
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i took the morning after pill for the first time i had unprotective sex. the first pill i took made me vomit it up, i went back to the gp and was given another pill and that time i kept it down, did not vomit twice. It must have worked a second time.

Posted on 25 May 2013 19:58 by Louise
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i tried various pills to control my heavy periods, but unfortunatly they got so light i was having no monthly bleed - which does happen. as i prefer to have a monthly bleed i had the coil fitted - the one without the hormone, my periods have returned to normal, not as heavy, i'm happy.

Posted on 25 May 2013 19:49 by Louise
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i had an ius fitted as my boyfriend was allergic to condoms. it was ok, first day after having it fitted, i got severe cramping, but was given strong painkillers, after a couple of days i was ok. did not even know the coil was there, both effective and painless. No worries

Posted on 25 May 2013 19:46 by Louise
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I have been on the combined pill (microginon) since I was 14 I am now nearly 24, I go for yearly check ups and I don't have any problems but is there a risk to being on contraception for this amount of time? Thanks

Asked on 22 May 2013 20:57 by Jessica
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Hey, I was on microgynon and then femodene for about 3 years and didn't think I'd have any problems, despite my mom warning me that she found it really difficult to get pregnant after coming off the pill. (Although I'm not necessarily saying they are related, there was no other medical reason so she's always blamed that.) however when I did come off the pill, my periods completely stopped for nine or ten months and my hormones were all over the place. There is a risk that you MIGHT find it difficult to conceive if you decide to come off it and want to try for children, but everyone is different. Also, I have heard it increases your risk if breast and cervical cancers but I'm not sure how credible that is, if at all. Hope that's helpful! x

Posted on 26 May 2013 12:20 by Keira
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This is a good answer

im nearly 40 yrs old and have recently split up with my husband who had a vasectomy years ago so I wasn't on the pill ... can you recommend a pill for me to go on now... im about 2 stone overweight I would smoke about 10 cigarettes a month or some months none I do regular exercise . thanks

Posted on 22 May 2013 18:35 by Trish
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