Please speak to your GP or local Community Sexual Health Clinic for advice on which contraceptive method is best for you – everyone is different and therefore what is right for one person may not be right for you.

To find your nearest Community Sexual Health Clinic: 0845 155 0156 between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

Contraceptive Injection

• If you remember to have your injection every 12 weeks – it’s over 99% effective.
• This is good if you think you will forget to take the pill.
• One injection with the hormone progestogen from a professional (e.g. a doctor or a sexual health clinic) will last for 12 weeks of contraceptive cover. This means you will have to go back every 12 weeks for another injection.
• It prevents unwanted pregnancy.
• It does not protect against STI’s so you need to use condoms as well.
• Your periods will probably change. They may even stop altogether.
• Some research suggests that women under 19 should try other methods of contraception because the injection may affect the way your bones grow. Always discuss your options and possible side effects with the health professional first.

Implant

• A doctor or family planning clinic will place a small, soft tube the size of a matchstick, under the skin of the upper arm. It works in the same way as the Pill, releasing hormones which prevent unwanted pregnancy.
• It works for up to 3 years so it can be left in your arm.
• It’s over 99% effective.
• There can be some side effects so speak to a health professional first.
• It does not prevent against STI’s.

IUS = intrauterine system

• It’s a small plastic device that contains the hormone progestogen. It is inserted inside a woman’s uterus by a doctor / nurse.
• It can stay in place for up to 5 years but you can take it out before if you want.
• It protects from unwanted pregnancy and it does not interfere with sex.
• It’s over 99% effective.
• This is not a hormonal contraceptive so there should be no side effects – discuss this with the health professional.
• It does not protect from STI’s.
• Your periods usually become much lighter and shorter, and some times less painful.

IUD = intrauterine device or The Coil

• It’s a small plastic / copper device usually in the shape of a ‘T’ that is inserted inside a woman’s uterus by a doctor.
• It can stay in place for 5 – 10 years depending on the type of IUD inserted, but you can take it out before if you want.
• It protects you from unwanted pregnancy and it does not interfere with sex.
• It’s over 99% effective.
• This is not a hormonal contraceptive so there should be no hormonal side effects – discuss this with the health professional.
• It can make your periods heavier and more painful.
• It does not protect against STI’s.

Diaphragm = The Cap

• It’s a round ‘dome’ made of rubber. You use it with ‘spermicidal cream’ and then place it over the cervix of a woman just before sex to stop sperm from going too far inside and causing pregnancy.
• It must be kept in for 6 hours after sex.
• It prevents unwanted pregnancy.
• It does not protect against all STI’s.
• There may be some side effects so speak to your doctor first.

Contraceptive Patch

• The patch works in same way as the pill and has some side effects.
• If used correctly it is over 99% effective.
• It does not protect against STI’s.
• It prevents unwanted pregnancy.
• It is a patch that you stick on a clean, dry and non-hairy part of your body.
• It is changed every 7 days and after 3 weeks you have a ‘patch free’ week so that you have a period.
• Speak to your doctor or a professional if you think you would benefit from using the patch.