Advantages

• lasts up to 3 years
• does not interrupt sex
• good option if you are unable to use oestrogen-based contraception, such as the pill, patch and vaginal ring
• safe to use while breastfeeding
• as soon as the implant is taken out, fertility becomes normal again

Disadvantages

• irregular menstruation/menstruation may stop altogether
• temporary side effects in the first few months such as headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings
• acne may develop or worsen if you had signs of it before
• small procedure for insertion/removal
• does not protect against STIs, therefore using a condom in addition is safer

Where can it be purchased?

• contraceptive clinics
• sexual health/genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
• GP surgeries
• some young people’s services

Effectiveness

• 99% effective against pregnancy, but risk of STIs

Quick facts

• 99% effective for contraception
• 1 patch per week for the 3 consecutive first weeks of a month
• do not have to think about it everyday, just every week
• still effective even if the person throws up
• still sticks even under water
• can help for heavy or painful periods
• does not protect against STIs

Advantages

• can be up to 99% effective when correctly used
• don’t need to worry about vomiting or being sick
• can be a protective factor for ovarian, womb and bowel cancer
• easy to use
• do not have to think about it every day
• can make periods more regular, lighter and less painful
• helps with premenstrual symptoms

Disadvantages

• still have some possible side effects including:
  • raised blood pressure
  • headaches
  • sickness (nausea)
  • mood changes
  • breast tenderness
  • rare side effect: blood clot
• visible
• possible skin irritation, itching and soreness
• does not protect against STIs
• during first few cycles: possible light bleeding and spotting
• some medicines can make it less effective (check this with the GP)
• have to change it every week

Where can it be purchased?

• first: get a 3-months supply to see how it goes and how the person reacts to it
• then: if after 3-months everything is good, you can get a 6-months to a year prescription
• can be get from:
  • contraception clinics
  • sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics
  • some general practitioners

Effectiveness

• 99% effective against pregnancy
• not effective against STIs

You need to use it with gel that kills sperm (spermicide).

• Only needed when you have sex, but leave it 6 hours after having sex
  • Apply spermicide again when you have sex again or if the cap has been in place for 3 hours or more before sex.

Quick facts

• Washing is possible
• Never wash with disinfectant, detergent, oil-based products or talcum powder.
• Never boil a diaphragm
• There are different sizes à get one if; you lose are gain more than 3kg or have a baby, miscarriage or abortion.
• You should not use a cap on your period as it can cause toxic shock syndrome

Advantages

• Only need it before sex.
• You can put it in at a convenient time.
• Usually no serious associated health risks or side effects.
• You are in total control of your contraception.
• Re-use is possible

Disadvantages

• Not as effective as alternatives
• Not reliable protection against STIs
• Takes time to learn how to use it
• Can interrupt sex
• Bladder infection can be a problem
• Latex and spermicide can cause irritation in some women and their sexual partners.

Where can it be purchased?

• Contraception clinics
• Genitourinary clinics
• GP
• Sexual health clinics

Effectiveness

• When used correctly with spermicide, a diaphragm or cap is 92-96% effective at preventing pregnancy – this means that between 4 and 8 women out of every 100 who use a diaphragm or cap as contraception will become pregnant within a year.

Short description

Female condoms are made of soft, thin synthetic latex. They are to be worn inside the vagina to prevent the semen from getting to the womb.

Quick facts

• Female condoms come pre-lubricated most people can safely use female condoms
• The condom can get pushed too far into the vagina

Advantages

• Protect both partners from STIs
• Reliable method of preventing pregnancy
• Only need to use it when you have sex
• No serious side effects

Disadvantages

• Can interrupts sex
• Female condoms are very strong but may split or tear
• Not as available as male condoms and can be more expensive

Where can it be purchased?

• Most contraception clinics, pharmacies, supermarkets and websites

Effectiveness

• If used correctly, female condoms are 95% effective

Quick facts

• female sterilization is sometimes known as sterilization, Tubal ligation or “getting your tubes tied”
• there are different types of sterilization procedures
• you still get your period after tubal ligation but you just can’t get pregnant

Advantages

• sterilization is VERY effective
  • tubal ligation is permanent and one of the most effective kinds of birth control out there
  • more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • tubal ligation works so well because it is permanent, and there’s almost no way you can mess it up or use it the wrong way
  • it protects you from pregnancy 24/7 for the rest of the person’s life
• sterilization is convenient
  • some people prefer non-hormonal birth control, or can’t use methods with hormones because of medical problems
  • tubal ligation does not used hormones to prevent pregnancy
  • it won’t cause menopause, change your periods, or mess with your natural hormones
• sterilization doesn’t change your hormones
  • sterilization is birth control that you don’t have to use during sex, so it won’t interfere with the action
  • you can get caught up in the heat of the moment without worrying about pregnancy, and you and your partner can focus on each other instead of birth control

Disadvantages

• sterilization is permanent
  • getting a sterilization reversed is really expensive, complicated and it doesn’t always work
  • your fertility may never come back
  • you should only get sterilized if you are totally certain you never want to get pregnant for the rest of your life
• sterilization can have some risks
  • overall, tubal ligation is very safe, and most people don’t have any problems
  • however, all medical procedures have some possible risks
  • the person may feel some pain and discomfort during and after the procedure, and some of the rare risks of tubal ligation can be serious
• sterilization does not prevent against STIs
  • sterilization does not prevent the spread of STIs, this is why the use of condom in addition to protect yourself against STIs is safer

Where can it be purchased?

• you can get a tubal ligation at a doctor’s office, hospital or health clinic
• many Planned Parenthood health centers also do sterilization procedures

Effectiveness

• female sterilization is really great at preventing pregnancy, more than 99% effective
  • this means that fewer than 1 out of 100 people who are sterilized will get pregnant each year
  • this is as good as it can get when it comes to pregnancy prevention

Short description

An IUD (Intrauterine Device) is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s put into the woman’s uterus by a doctor . The IUD and the IUS (Intrauterine System) are similar but the IUS is releasing hormone progestogen whereas the IUD is releasing copper . The cervical mucus is altered by the copper which makes it harder for the sperm to reach an egg and their survival.

Quick facts

• more than 99% effective
• can be implemented at anytime during the woman’s menstrual cycle
• the device will work as soon as it is in and can last up to 5 or 10 years depending on the type of the device
• it can be taken out at any time and as soon as it is out the woman can be pregnant again
• in the 3 to 6 months after the implementation of an IUD, the woman’s period can be longer, heavier and more painful
• small risk of infection
• may not be convenient for people with history of pelvic infections
• does not protect against STIs

Advantages

• protection against pregnancy for 5 to 10 years
• works right away after insertion
• fits to most women
• no hormonal side effects (acne, headaches, breast tenderness)
• does not suspend sex
• safe even when breastfeeding
• can get pregnant directly after removal
• not affected by other medicines
• no evidence of its influence on weight or risk of cervical cancer, cancer of uterus and ovarian cancer

Disadvantages

• risk of heavier, longer and more painful periods
• does not protects against STIs
• risk of infection (including pelvic infection)
• reasons why women might stop using it: vaginal bleeding and pain
• risks of the IUD:
  • pelvic infections
  • rejection
  • damage of the womb
  • ectopic pregnancy (fall of the IUD leading to pregnancy)

Where can it be purchased?

• contraception clinics
• gynecologist

Effectiveness

• more than 99% effective

Short description

It is a small soft, plastic ring that women have to place inside their vagina. A continuous dose of hormones oestrogen and progestogen are being released into the woman’s blood in order to prevent pregnancy.

Quick facts

• effective up to 99% when correctly used
• one ring lasts for a month (don’t need to think about it eveyday)
• does not interrupt sex
• still working even in case of vomiting or diarrhoea
• may ease premenstrual symptoms
• lighter and less painful bleeding
• possible temporary side effects
• does not protect against STIs

Advantages

• does not interrupt sex
• easy to put and take out
• do not need to think about it everyday
• is not affected when vomiting or having diarrhoea
• may help with premenstrual symptoms
• can regulate and diminish the periods and its painfulness
• can reduce the risk of some cancers
• no long-term effect on fertility

Disadvantages

• may not be comfortable when putting it or removing it
• can lead to spotting or bleeding in the first months
• possible temporary side effects
  • increased vaginal discharge
  • headaches
  • nausea
  • breast tenderness
  • mood changes
• does not protect against STIs
• do not forget to change it every month
• some medicine can make the ring less effective
• risks
  • blood clots
  • cancer (cervical cancer)

Where can it be purchased?

• contraception clinics
• gynecologist
• GP

Effectiveness

• 99% effective when correctly used

Short description

A vasectomy is a simple surgery done by a doctor in an office, hospital, or clinic. The small tubes in the scrotum that carry sperm are cut or blocked off, so sperm can’t leave your body and cause pregnancy. The procedure is very quick, and you can go home the same day.

Quick facts

• 2 types of vasectomies
  • incision method
  • no-scalper (no-cut) method, which has lower risk of infection and other complications, and generally take less time to heal
• the term “vasectomy” comes from the name of the tubes in your scrotum that are blocked during the procedures: vas deferens

Advantages

• vasectomies are VERY effective
  • permanent and one of the most effective kind of birth control
  • more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • effective because it is a designed to be permanent, and there’s no way to mess it up or use it in a wrong way
  • vasectomy can prevent pregnancy 24/7 for the rest of the person’s life
• vasectomies are super convenient
  • once a person had a vasectomy and their doctor says there’s no longer any sperm in his semen, that’s pretty much it, nothing else is needed to prevent pregnancy from happening. No trips to the pharmacy, nothing to buy or use, nothing to put in place before sex
  • get-it-and-forget-it birth control
• your vasectomy can make your sex life better
  • it is a birth control that you don’t have to pay attention to during sex, so it won’t interfere with the action. You can get caught up in the heat of the moment without worrying about pregnancy

Disadvantages

• vasectomies are permanent
  • even if you get your vasectomy reversed, your fertility may never come back
  • vasectomy surgery is complicated and expensive, and doesn’t always work
  • you should only get a vasectomy if you’re totally certain you don’t want to get someone pregnant for the rest of your life
• vasectomies an have some risks
  • overall, vasectomies are very safe, and most people don’t have any problems
  • but every medical procedures have some possible risks
  • the most common risk with a vasectomy is infection, but those are usually minor and treatable with antibiotics
  • you may also have some pain, bleeding, bruising, or swelling after the procedure
• vasectomies don’t prevent STIs
  • it won’t prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections
  • semen (cum) can still carry STIs, even if it does not contain sperm
  • the best way to protect yourself and your partner from STIs is to get tested regularly and use condoms

Where can it be purchased?

• you can get a vasectomy at many Planned Parenthood health center, a doctor’s office, hospital, or health clinic

Effectiveness

• one of the most effective kinds of birth control
• THE most effective method for people with penises and testicles
• almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, but not right away, it takes about 3 months for your semen to become sperm-free

Short description

Birth control pills are containing hormones. It is a platelet of pills, the person has to take one every day until the periods start. The pill works by stopping the sperm from joining with an egg. The hormones contained in the pill stop the ovulation. Without the ovulation, there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize which prevents pregnancy from happening.

Quick facts

• There are 2 types of pills
  • combined pills: contains two hormones (estrogen and progestin). Taken everyday, it prevents pregnancy by keeping ovaries from releasing eggs.
  • progestin-only pills (or “mini-pills”): only contains one hormone (progestin). It prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. Less often, mini-pills prevent pregnancy by keeping the ovaries from releasing eggs
• the risk of pregnancy is lower when the pill is used correctly, which means everyday at about the same time

Advantages

• effective way to prevent pregnancy
  • great effectiveness when used correctly
  • some app exists to remind you to take your pill
• has health benefits
  • it can also prevent/lessen: acne, bone thinning, premenstrual symptoms, …
• can make your periods better
  • can make the periods more regular and easier to predict
  • can reduce menstrual cramps and make the periods lighter
  • can use the to safely skip your period in case of an event when you want to be period-free
• can get pregnant right away when stopping it
• convenient
  • small package
  • easy to take
  • discrete
  • don’t have to think about it during sex

Disadvantages

• you have to think about taking it every day
• can have negative side effects (does not happen to everyone who takes the pill)
  • the negative side effects usually goes away after 2 or 3 months
  • can have some spotting or bleeding between periods (even more common with progestin-only pills)
  • sore breasts, nausea or headaches
• there are rare but serious risks
• does not prevent STIs

Where can it be purchased?

• need a prescription from a doctor, health clinic or gynecologist
• can get it at a drugstore or pharmacy

Effectiveness

• when used perfectly, it can be up to 99% effective
• when people are not perfectly taking it (forget it or miss one), the effectiveness can lower to 91%