Contraception

What methods of contraception are available?

There are 14 methods available and different methods suit different people. The methods are:

Where can I get contraception?

You can get contraception from your local GP, another GP (where you can register for family planning services only), Brook (if you are under 25) or a family planning clinic. You can also buy condoms at chemists, supermarkets and from vending machines. Find out what to expect at a Brook Centre near you.

Will I have to pay for it?

Contraception is available free from GPs, family planning clinics and Brook Centres (if you are under 25). Not all GPs give out free condoms, but they are available free from Brook Centres and from family planning clinics.

Are there any health risks with the pill/implant/injection/IUS/IUD/patch?

Not all methods of contraception are suitable for everyone. A doctor or nurse will ask you questions about your own and your family's medical history to help decide which method of contraception will suit you best.

Which condoms are best?

Make sure it has a quality mark - a BSI Kitemark and CE Kitemark - and check the expiry date. Not all novelty condoms provide protection so always check.

What should I do if the condom breaks?

You might need to take emergency contraception to reduce the risk of pregnancy. You should seek advice as soon as possible from your GP, a family planning clinic or Brook Centre (if you are under 25) as soon as possible.

You also need to be aware that you may have been at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV. You can get a test done at your local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic.

I'm on the pill but didn't use condoms. Am I still protected?

As long as you have taken your pill according to the instructions, you will be protected against pregnancy. However, the pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. You need to use condoms as well to protect yourself against infection. If you think you have been at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection, you can get a test done at your local GUM clinic.

I've missed a pill and had sex, what should I do? Do I need to take emergency contraception?

You should seek medical advice from either your GP or family planning clinic, from Brook Centre (if you are under 25) or from the service that prescribed your pill, as soon as possible, to find out what to do next. It is important to seek advice immediately, as you may need emergency contraception. Keep taking your pills and use condoms in meantime until you have checked it out.

If you cannot get to a service but need urgent advice, you can call the fpa Helpline to speak to a nurse.

Do antibiotics stop the pill working?

Some prescribed medicines and some complementary medicines may affect the pill. You should always seek medical advice if in doubt, from your GP or family planning clinic, from Brook (if you are under 25) or from the service that prescribed your pill. If you have had sex in the last few days, you may need emergency contraception and should seek medical advice immediately. Keep taking your pills and use condoms in meantime until you have checked it out.

If you cannot get to a service but need urgent advice, you can call the fpa Helpline to speak to a nurse.

I've had sickness and diarrhoea and I'm on the pill. Will it stop it working?

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill or if you have very severe diarrhoea, the way your pill works may be affected, so you should seek medical advice from your GP or family planning clinic, from Brook (if you are under 25) or from the service that prescribed your pill. If you have had sex in the last few days, you may need emergency contraception and should seek medical advice immediately. Keep taking your pills in meantime and use condoms until you have checked it out.

If you cannot get to a service but need urgent advice, you can call the fpa Helpline to speak to a nurse.

I'm not sure how to take my pill. What should I do?

Instructions on how to take your pill vary according to the type of pill that you take. You should look at the instruction leaflet given with pill or seek advice from the service that gave you the pill.

If you cannot get to a service but need urgent advice, you can call the fpa Helpline to speak to a nurse.

Do you have to wear the contraceptive patch all the time?

The contraceptive patch is worn for 3 weeks out of every 4. It works in a similar way to the combined pill, which is taken for 3 weeks followed by a pill-free week.

The first patch is applied on the first day of your period and lasts for 7 days. A new patch is then applied for the second week and again for the third week. The patch must be changed on the right day but can be changed at any time on that day. After 3 weeks, you have a patch-free week, in which you will normally get your withdrawal bleed (period).

I’ve just started using the contraceptive patch and I’ve had sickness and diarrhoea. Will it stop it working?

The contraceptive patch releases a constant daily dose of hormones through the skin into the bloodstream. Unlike the pill, which is absorbed through the stomach, the patch is not affected by vomiting or diarrhoea.

Do any medicines interfere with the way the contraceptive patch works?

Some prescribed medicines and some complementary medicines may affect the patch. You should always seek medical advice if in doubt, from your GP or family planning clinic, from Brook (if you are under 25) or from the service that prescribed your patch. If you have had sex in the last few days, you may need emergency contraception and should seek medical advice immediately. Keep using your patch and use condoms in meantime until you have checked it out.

I’m thinking of using the contraceptive patch but I’m worried about it falling off. What happens if the patch comes off?

If used according to the instructions, the patch is designed to stay on during normal activities like bathing, exercising and swimming. If it does come off and is still sticky, it must be reapplied as soon as possible. If it is no longer sticky, a new patch must be applied.

If the patch is reapplied within 24 hours, you will still be protected. If you leave it off for more than 24 hours, condoms should be used for the next 7 days. If you have had sex in the last few days, you may need emergency contraception and should seek medical advice as soon as possible from your GP or family planning clinic, from Brook (if you are under 25) or from the service that prescribed your patch.