What contraception can you get

Are you overweight? What if you can't use hormonal contraceptives? What if you can't use contraceptives that contain oestrogen? Are you taking medicines for other conditions?

Do you want to get pregnant in the near future? The 'My contraception' tool Sexual health charities Brook and FPA have developed an interactive tool that can help you find out which methods of contraception may be best for you.

The tool is available on both charities' websites: Brook: My contraception tool FPA: My contraception tool How effective are the different methods? Methods that are used each time you have sex: male condoms and female condoms diaphragm or cap Methods that are taken every day: the pill the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill Methods that are replaced every week: contraceptive patch Methods that are replaced every month: vaginal ring Methods that are renewed every two to three months: contraceptive injection Methods that are renewed up to every three years: contraceptive implant Methods that are renewed up to every five to 10 years: intrauterine device IUD intrauterine system IUS Would you prefer contraception that you don't have to remember every day?

Not all contraceptives have to be taken every day or each time you have sex. These methods need to be inserted by a health professional into your uterus IUD or IUS or arm the implant : intrauterine device IUD lasts up to five to 10 years, depending on the type intrauterine system IUS lasts up to three to five years, depending on the type contraceptive implant lasts three years The contraceptive injection can be given one of two ways: either by an intramuscular injection into the buttock, or as a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen.

Other contraceptives that need to be changed or replaced every month or week are: vaginal ring worn for three weeks out of every four contraceptive patch a new patch is used each week for three weeks out of every four Other contraceptives used or inserted just before sex are: diaphragm or cap male condom or female condom Ask your GP or a doctor or nurse at your local contraceptive clinic for more details.

If so, you could consider using: vaginal ring female condoms a diaphragm or cap If you'd like a method that's longer-term and you don't mind a health professional putting a contraceptive into your uterus through your vagina, you could consider using: intrauterine device IUD intrauterine system IUS Do you mind if your periods change? Contraceptives that can make your periods lighter include: the pill combined pill or progestogen-only pill contraceptive patch contraceptive injection intrauterine system IUS vaginal ring Do you smoke?

If you're over 35 and smoke, you can consider the following types of contraceptive: intrauterine device IUD intrauterine system IUS contraceptive implant contraceptive injection progestogen-only pill Find out ways to stop smoking. Not all contraceptive methods use hormones. Some work in other ways, including: intrauterine device IUD male condoms or female condoms diaphragm or cap What if you can't use contraceptives that contain oestrogen?

Contraceptives that contain oestrogen aren't suitable for women who: are over 35 and who smoke are very overweight take certain medicines have certain medical conditions, such as problems with blood circulation, or migraines with aura If you can't use contraceptives that contain oestrogen, there are plenty of other options, including: intrauterine device IUD intrauterine system IUS contraceptive implant contraceptive injection progestogen-only pill Are you taking medicines for other conditions?

Contraceptives that are not affected by other medicines are: intrauterine device IUD intrauterine system IUS contraceptive injection diaphragm or cap male condom or female condom Do you want to get pregnant in the near future?

If you want your fertility to return to normal quickly after you stop using contraception, consider these methods: intrauterine device IUD intrauterine system IUS contraceptive implant progestogen-only pill diaphragm or cap male condom or female condom Your fertility may take longer to return to normal after stopping the contraceptive injection.

Contraception after having a baby It's possible to become pregnant again very soon after the birth of a baby, even if you're breastfeeding and even if your periods haven't returned. As soon as you're ready You can use male condoms , female condoms or the progestogen-only pill as soon as you feel ready to have sex. Around six weeks after birth You can usually have a contraceptive injection or start using a diaphragm or cap around six weeks after giving birth.

Six to eight weeks after birth An intrauterine device IUD , also known as a 'coil', or intrauterine system IUS can sometimes be fitted within 48 hours of giving birth. If this is not possible then they will usually be fitted six to eight weeks after giving birth. Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. The male condom is a fine rubber or synthetic sheath that is worn on a stiff erect penis.

It collects the sperm and stops them entering your vagina and uterus. You can buy condoms from a chemist or supermarket. Condoms reduce the risk of both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. Condoms are 98 per cent effective if they are used correctly.

A diaphragm is a soft silicone cap worn inside the vagina to cover the entrance to the uterus the cervix. It stops the sperm from getting into the uterus. A diaphragm can be used at any time, even during your period, and can be washed and used over and over again. A diaphragm has to be put in before having sex up to 24 hours before and removed after sex. When used correctly diaphragms are 94 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy. Even though we use the expression 'the Pill', there are actually two main types of oral contraceptive pills.

This pill has two hormones, which stop the ovaries releasing an egg each month. You still bleed each month but not as much as usual. The combined pill can also bring relief for acne and premenstrual syndrome. Some women will have side-effects such as bloating, nausea, and minor weight gain. The combined pill is This pill has only one hormone and works by changing the mucus at the entrance to the womb uterus so that sperm cannot pass through to fertilise the egg.

The POP is The vaginal ring contains the same two hormones that are in some types of the Pill. It works in the same way as the Pill to prevent an egg being released each month.

The ring is placed high in the vagina and left in place for three weeks. It is removed for one week to allow you to have a regular monthly bleed. The vaginal ring is Contraception is free to all women and men through the NHS.

Places where you can get contraception include:. If you're under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won't tell your parents or carer, as long as they believe you fully understand the information you're given, and your decisions.

Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they won't make you. The only time that a doctor or nurse might want to tell someone else is if they believe you're at risk of harm, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.

Home Healthy living Contraception Getting started Getting and using contraception. Getting and using contraception See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. What is contraception? How effective is contraception?

What services do contraception clinics offer? Where can I get an implant fitted or removed? How do I use a condom? Where to get contraception. Contraception aims to prevent pregnancy. A woman can get pregnant if a man's sperm reaches one of her eggs ova.

The 15 methods of contraception Don't be put off if the first type you use isn't quite right — you can try another. Read about the different methods of contraception: caps combined pill condoms female condoms male contraceptive implant contraceptive injection contraceptive patch diaphragms intrauterine device IUD intrauterine system IUS natural family planning progestogen-only pill vaginal ring There are two permanent methods of contraception: female sterilisation male sterilisation vasectomy Where to get contraception Contraceptive services are free and confidential.

You can get contraception for free from: most GP surgeries talk to your GP or practice nurse community contraception clinics some genitourinary medicine GUM clinics sexual health clinics these offer contraceptive and STI testing services some young people's services. How effective your contraception is depends on the type of contraception you use and whether you use it correctly. You can get a contraceptive implant fitted or removed: at a contraception or sexual health GUM clinic by a GP or practice nurse Only a specially trained doctor or nurse can fit or remove contraceptive implants.

Contraceptive implants are available for free on the NHS. Fitting and removing your contraceptive implant A contraceptive implant is a thin, flexible tube about 4cm long and 2mm thick. Replacing your contraceptive implant If you want to continue using a contraceptive implant after three years, you can get the old one removed and a new one put in at the same visit.

Nexplanon and Implanon Implants fitted after October are called Nexplanon. Online appointment booking You may be able to book an appointment for your contraceptive implant insertion or removal online. Condoms are available free from: contraception clinics sometimes called family planning clinics sexual health, or genitourinary medicine GUM , clinics some GP surgeries You can also buy condoms from: shops pharmacies supermarkets garages vending machines in some public toilets When buying condoms, make sure that they carry the British Standards Institution BSI kitemark, or the European CE symbol as proof of quality.

The single size diaphragm will not fit about 15 per cent of users. It is recommended that you see a doctor or nurse to check that the diaphragm is a good fit for you.

If used the right way, this method is 86 per cent effective. Sterilisation is a permanent method of contraception that involves having a surgical procedure. It is a very effective method of contraception. Vasectomy involves cutting the tubes that carry sperm to stop sperm from moving from the testes to the penis.

It can be performed under local or general anaesthetic. Natural methods or fertility awareness methods of contraception include rhythm, symptothermal, cervical mucus observation and basal temperature methods. This is to determine when you are potentially fertile during your menstrual cycle. Practising natural methods of contraception requires you to abstain from not have sex when you could get pregnant.

Depending on your menstrual cycle, you may need to abstain from sex for up to 16 days. Fertility awareness methods are not recommended in some circumstances — for example if you:. The effectiveness of natural family planning varies, depending on which method or combination of methods is used. There are various types of emergency contraception that you can use after unprotected sex. The copper IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception.

It can be inserted within five days of unprotected intercourse or, if the date of ovulation can be estimated, up to five days after ovulation, in women for whom they are suitable. Another advantage of copper IUDs is that they can provide effective contraception for at least five and up to 10 years. It is not per cent effective in preventing pregnancy. There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill, both available at pharmacies without a prescription:.

Ulipristal has been clinically demonstrated to be more effective than levonorgestrel in reducing the risk of pregnancy when taken up to five days hours after unprotected sex. It is not recommended that you use emergency contraceptive pills as your usual method of contraception. Using a reliable form of contraception is the best protection against unintended pregnancy. Ask your GP or reproductive health nurse for advice. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Did you know that deaths from injury are 2.

That men are more likely to die from preventable diseases? Some abortion services in Victoria offer reduced fees to students, healthcare card holders and those experiencing financial difficulty. In Victoria, you can have two types of abortion: surgical and medication. Both types are safe and reliable. You can have a medication abortion up to nine weeks of pregnancy.

You can have a surgical abortion from around six weeks of pregnancy onwards. Mifepristone, also called RU or the 'abortion pill', is used to terminate end a pregnancy up to nine weeks. Abortion is one of the most common and safest types of surgery in Australia. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.