Contraception Guide

Next → (Image 1 of 12)

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

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.

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 >

Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of external websites

Comments

Newer comments Older comments

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
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.

Hi I have been using the combined pill for about a year and in the last couple of months I have noticed that I come on my period half way through the pack. I can come on my period at any time of the day, I really need some help in what I can do.

Posted on 21 May 2013 21:28 by Hollie
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive

hi,i have a problem my period 2years I have no period last my period 2011 until nw I have no period,i start taking pill stop my period,im so worried my period,i don't want more kids I have already 3kids,pls u help,

Posted on 21 May 2013 13:22 by hera
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive

hi,im 30 years old I have 3kids 1yearsold n 4yearsold 5years old,abouat my period im worried my about my period cuz until nw I have no period my last period on 2012 my baby born on 2011 I star taking pill stop my period until nw I have no period.im so worried my sitiution .pls u can help me,

Posted on 20 May 2013 11:50 by maria
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive

hi i have the implant in my arm for 5 years. i tried having it removed but she struggled pulling it out as skin as embedded it. i am too petrified to try again as i was close to fainting and feel ill just thinking about it, please tell me i can leave it in as i am sure it must have run out and it would do more harm trying to remove it, thanks T

Asked on 17 May 2013 00:04 by Tina
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive

Your Answer:

First Name:

This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed
Email:

Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.

I am over 13 or have the permission of a legal guardian

Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hello, I've had my Implanon removed in September last year (after having it for 3 years). However, I didn't have any period at all till January when I visited a gynecologist. I've been prescribed a drug that contained 'Progesteronum'. After a week I got my 'period' but it wasn't like a real one- more like the one I had in the last days of my periods (just spotting). Although this spotting is regular (every month)I am worried that something may be wrong as I haven't had a proper period. I've done two pregnancy tests and they came negative. Is it something serious? Thanks for your response

Posted on 1 May 2013 17:53 by Lucy
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive

Im 22 and been on/off depo since I was 17 and had my baby at 19 when I first came off the depo it took 8 months.for.my periods to.come back. Thers was clotting at first then eventually bleeding. I started back on the depo sep 2011 and had my last one may 2012 as I was gaining too much weight in a short space of time. I was supposed to be due another injection aug 2012 but never had it. about 3 weeks ago I staryed to clot again like it did the last time but not very much of it. I lasted about a week and disappeared. I had sex and its mot been back since. Everytime I have sex its really. uncomfy and sometimes painful when its deep. Whats happening? Also when I pee I feel as if I need another one I get an annoying pain in my stomach too.

Asked on 30 Apr 2013 22:19 by Shona
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive

Your Answer:

Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I went to the doctors 4 years ago as I was having pain during intercourse. After about two years of tests and trying various creams and numbing agents they said that I should come off the Depo that I had been on, and not use any kind of hormonal Contraception. I tried the non hormonal coil for a bit but that caused me pail. I had this taken out and a few months after all this contraception stopped sex started to not be painful anymore. Does this mean that I am allergic to Contraception? That makes no sense at all to me as there are different things in each of them! And ever since I have been fine! So :s :s :s :s!!!!

Asked on 30 Apr 2013 13:16 by [No first name supplied]
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive

Your Answer:

Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi think the statistics need to be checked on this. 99.5%success rate means 1 in 20 will get pregnant...??

Posted on 9 Apr 2013 00:21 by kelly
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive

Hi, 99.5% success rate means 5 in 1000 might get pregnant.

Posted on 9 Apr 2013 12:19 by Steph
In reply to kelly Report this as offensive

Hi i agree it should be 5 in 1000 but was trying to flag up it needs to be changed as incorrect on the female sterilisation page.

Posted on 9 Apr 2013 14:17 by kelly
In reply to kelly Report this as offensive

I have the implant and I have had no problems with it, it has incereased my libido, both my fella and me have found this to bethe best contraceptive

Posted on 16 Apr 2013 12:11 by jess
In reply to kelly Report this as offensive

Hey im 21, I have PCOS i found out about 14months ago but i could of had it alot longer as i had the implant and never had a period, then when i came of this i tried for a baby with my partner and had problem, Only recently have i been to the doctors who referred my to a gyno who wants me to loose 1 stone in 2months. I am currently not on any pill or anything, we occassionly use condoms (as was trying for a baby) And was just wondering if the pill would help out at all?

Posted on 18 Mar 2013 22:58 by Hannah
Reply to this comment Report this as offensive

I have been off the depo since september 2012 I started having periods again in jan 2013. I am wondering when I will start to ovulate as I am keen to start a family soon?

Asked on 18 Mar 2013 21:46 by stephanie
replies - can you help?
Answer now Report this as offensive

Your Answer:

Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Newer comments Older comments

Add your comment
Ask a question
Apply for the show

It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.

Your Question:
Enter your question here and we'll check if it’s already been asked

First Name:

This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed
Email:

Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.

Email me when someone replies to my comment
I am over 13 or have the permission of a legal guardian

Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here

Embarrassing Illnesses