Contraception

There are all sorts of reasons to use contraception other than to avoid pregnancy. For example, you may be prescribed the contraceptive pill to treat a range of hormonal conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome.¹ Or you may want to use condoms so you can protect yourself and your sexual partner(s) from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).² … Read More See less

However, on this page we’re going to focus on using contraception for the purposes of preventing a pregnancy. Because there are a lot of different types of contraception out there, from contraceptive tablets to male and female condoms. So it can be confusing trying to work out which method is right for you.

So, let’s explore what options are available and give you the information you need to understand which type of contraception is right for you.

Related categories

Emergency Contraception

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Wegovy

What is contraception?

Contraception is any form of device, medication or procedure used to prevent a pregnancy occurring due to sexual intercourse.³ It enables anyone with the ability to get pregnant to take control of their reproductive health and family planning.³

Different methods of contraception prevent pregnancy by inhibiting conception or interrupting implantation and growth.³ This may be achieved by physically blocking the exchange of bodily fluids or by hormonally disrupting the menstrual cycle.³ No matter which method you choose, however, contraception only works if you use it correctly and consistently.⁴

Where to get contraception?

If you live in the UK, you can get contraception, including emergency contraception, using the free NHS contraception service⁵, including:

Sexual health clinics
GP surgeries
Some young people's services

You can also get contraception for free, with full confidentiality, if you are under the age of 16.

During a contraceptive consultation, you will be informed of the different options available and advised as to which one might be right for you. You may then be given a prescription, if needed, for a particular method, such as the contraceptive pill.

However, some pharmacies can provide contraceptive tablets, such as the progestogen-only pill (mini pill), without a prescription.⁵

Methods of contraception

Let’s discuss which methods of contraception are available, including barrier methods and hormonal methods, how they’re used and how well they work.^4,6

Barrier methods

Male condom

External male condoms are made from very thin latex (rubber), polyurethane (soft plastic) or polyisoprene and designed to fit over an erect penis before vaginal, anal or oral sex.^7,8 The condom forms a barrier that prevents semen from getting into the vagina.⁹

You need to use a new condom every time you have sex and only use one condom at a time.⁷If used correctly, male condoms are up to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.⁷ If used incorrectly, they’re only 82% effective.⁷ Incorrect use includes:⁷

Putting a condom on after the penis has touched the vagina
A condom splitting or coming off during sex

Internal (female) condom

Internal condoms are made from synthetic rubber and worn inside the vagina to prevent sperm from getting to the womb.^8,10,11

Like male condoms, you need to use a new condom every time you have sex and only use one condom at a time.¹⁰ If used correctly, internal condoms are up to 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.¹⁰ If used incorrectly, they’re only 79% effective.¹⁰ Incorrect use includes:^10,11

Inserting an internal condom after the penis has touched the vagina
An internal condom splitting or moving out of place during sex
The penis entering the vagina between the condom and the side of the vagina

Diaphragm or cap

Diaphragms and caps are soft, circular domes made of thin silicone or latex.^12,13 They are inserted into the vagina before sex and cover the cervix so that sperm can’t enter the womb.^12,13 They need to be used with spermicide (a gel, foam or cream that kills sperm).^12,13 Without spermicide, diaphragms and caps are less effective.^12,13

You must leave a diaphragm in for at least six hours after sex and can leave it in for up to 30 hours.¹³After being removed, it can be washed and reused (unless it is damaged).¹³

If used correctly with spermicide, a diaphragm is 92 to 96% effective at preventing pregnancy.¹³ A nurse can show you how to correctly place a diaphragm so that it works properly.¹³

Hormonal methods

Combined contraceptive pill

The combined contraceptive pill contains both oestrogen and progestogen to:¹⁴

Stop you releasing an egg (ovulating)
Make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg
Thin the womb lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to it

You need to take your combined birth control tablets at the same time every day, though there are different types of combined contraceptive pill that need to be taken in slightly different ways:¹⁴

Monophasic 21-day pills – one pill is taken every day for 21 days and you can either take no pills for the next seven days to facilitate a bleed or continue taking the pill to prevent a bleed. Examples include microgynon, rigevidon and brevinor
Phasic 21-day pills – each pack contains two or three sections of different coloured pills, indicating different amounts of hormones. These pills need to be taken in the right order, with one pill taken each day for 21 days and no pills taken for the next seven days. Examples include synphase and logynon
Every day (ED) pills – these refer to specific types of monophasic and phasic pills that are taken each day for 28 days with no break so that you never bleed. Examples include Microgynon ED and Logynon ED.

If taken correctly, the combined contraceptive pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.¹⁴

Progestogen-only pill (mini pill)

The mini pill releases progestogen to:¹⁵

Stop you releasing an egg (ovulating)
Make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg
Thin the womb lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to it

You need to take the progestogen-only pill at the same time every day, without any breaks.¹⁵ There are different types of progestogen-only birth pills:¹⁵

3-hour progestogen-only pill – each pill must be taken within three hours of the same time each day. Examples include Norgeston and Noriday
12-hour progestogen-only pill – each pill must be taken within 12 hours of the same time each day. Examples include Cerazette

If taken correctly, the mini pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.¹⁵

Intrauterine device (IUD) or copper coil

A copper intrauterine device (IUD), or copper coil, is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device.¹⁶ It prevents pregnancy by releasing copper into the womb to:¹⁶

Make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg
Thin the womb lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to it

An IUD is inserted, via the cervix, into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse.¹⁶ This can be uncomfortable or painful and cause cramps or bleeding for a few days afterwards.¹⁶ Once fitted, an IUD works for between five to ten years.¹⁶

Some types of IUD have more copper than others.¹⁶ Those with more copper are more than 99% effective, but those with less copper are less effective.¹⁶

Intrauterine system (IUS)

An intrauterine system (IUS) is a small T-shaped plastic device.¹⁷ It prevents pregnancy by releasing progestogen to:¹⁷

Stop you releasing an egg (ovulating)
Make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg
Thin the womb lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to it

An IUS is inserted, via the cervix, into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse.¹⁷ This can be uncomfortable or painful and cause cramps afterwards.¹⁷ Once fitted, an IUS works for between three to eight years.¹⁷

Brand names include Mirena, Levosert, Kyleena, Jaydess and Benilexa.¹⁸An IUS is typically more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.¹⁷

Contraceptive implant

The contraceptive implant is a small flexible rod made out of plastic.¹⁹ It prevents pregnancy by releasing progestogen to:¹⁹

Stop you releasing an egg (ovulating)
Make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg
Thin the womb lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to it

The implant is inserted under the skin on the inside of your upper arm.¹⁹ The area is numbed using a local anaesthetic, so it just feels like having an injection.¹⁹Once inserted, the implant works for up to three years.

The brand name of the contraceptive implant is Nexplanon. If inserted correctly, the implant is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Contraceptive injection

The contraceptive injection prevents pregnancy by releasing progestogen to:²⁰

Stop you releasing an egg (ovulating)
Make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg
Thin the womb lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to it

There are three types of contraceptive injection used in the UK:²⁰

Depo-Provera – this injection is usually given in your bum by a doctor or nurse and lasts for 13 weeks
Sayana Press – you normally learn how to administer this injection yourself in your lower tummy or the front of your thigh. It lasts for 13 weeks
Noristerat – this injection is usually given in your bum by a doctor or nurse and lasts for eight weeks. Sometimes you may have this injection in your upper arm. It’s usually only used to help prevent a pregnancy for short periods of time, such as if you’re waiting for your partner to have a vasectomy

If used correctly, the contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.²⁰

Contraceptive patch

The contraceptive patch looks like a square plaster and can be applied anywhere on your body.²¹It contains both oestrogen and progestogen to:²¹

Stop you releasing an egg (ovulating)
Make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg
Thin the womb lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to it

You should wear a patch for seven days at a time and replace it every eighth day.²¹ Repeat this process for three weeks before having a patch-free week so that you can bleed.²¹

The brand name of the contraceptive patch is Evra.²¹If used correctly, the birth control patch is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.²¹

Vaginal ring

The vaginal ring is a small, soft plastic ring that’s placed inside your vagina.²²It contains both oestrogen and progestogen to:²²

Stop you releasing an egg (ovulating)
Make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg
Thin the womb lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to it

You place the ring into your vagina and leave it for 21 days.²² You then then remove it for 7 days so that you can bleed, before inserting a new ring.²² You and your partner may feel the ring during sex, but this isn’t anything to be concerned about.²²

If used correctly, the vaginal ring is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.²²

Emergency (morning after) pill

The emergency contraceptive (EC) pill is only designed to be used if you’ve had unprotected sex, missed a pill or a condom has burst during sex.²³ It works by preventing a woman from releasing an egg (ovulation).²³

There are two main EC pills:

Levonelle – this needs to be taken within 72 hours (three days) of having unprotected sex
ellaOne – this needs to be taken within 120 hours (five days) of having unprotected sex

ellaOne is thought to be more effective than Levonelle.²³ Whichever brand you choose, the sooner you take the morning after pill, the more effective it is.²⁴

Find out more about emergency contraception, how it works and where you can get it.

How to choose which method of contraception is right for you

When considering which form of contraception is right for you, you should consider the following factors:^4,25–27

How easy you’re likely to find it to use
How effective it is at preventing pregnancy when used correctly (and whether you will be able to use it correctly)
Whether you also need protection from STIs
Any side effects (hormonal contraception may produce the most side effects, such as headaches, nausea, mood swings, weight gain, sore breasts and acne)
How it will affect your periods (for example, whether it may make them lighter or less painful)
Whether you want to get pregnant in the foreseeable future
How often you have sex and how many sexual partners you have
Your need for privacy (whether you need to keep your birth control method a secret)
Whether there are any benefits you want, such as having more predictable menstrual cycles

Find out more about the side effects of the contraceptive pill today.