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There’s lots of incorrect information about contraception out there and this can make it hard to find the right method for you. We’ve taken a look at some common myths and questions about contraception and given you the real facts so you can make an informed decision.
There are lots of different options for contraception, but they all fall into one of four categories:
Browse the different contraception methods
The LARC (long acting reversible contraception) methods are generally considered the most effective – that’s the non-hormonal coil, the copper coil, implant and injection. This is because, once they are fitted/given, you don’t have to think about your contraception until they need replacing in a few months or even a few years.
Other methods require you remembering to use them correctly in order for them to be effective. That’s why it’s really important that you choose a method that fits with you and your lifestyle.
It can be difficult to work out which contraception is best for you. Our Contraception Tool asks you a series of questions which will help narrow down the methods to the ones that are best suited to you and your preferences.
Find the best contraception for you
Yes – contraception and sexual health services such as Brook are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16. Health professionals work to strict guidelines and won’t tell anyone else about your visit unless they believe you’re at serious risk of immediate harm.
Find out more about Brook’s confidentiality policy
Read more about your rights when accessing healthcare services
If you’re having, or thinking about having, sex then you should also be thinking about contraception to prevent pregnancy.
If you don’t want to to start a method of hormonal contraception you there are other methods you can use including condoms. Condoms are the only contraception method that also protects against sexually transmitted infections.
Pulling out (removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation) is not a method of contraception. It is hard to get right every time and there is a risk of pregnancy from pre-cum which can contain sperm from previous ejaculations.
Even if you’re not having sex, or the type of sex you are having wouldn’t cause a pregnancy, you should still think about contraception for two reasons:
It is possible to get contraception for one or more of these reasons even if you’re not at risk of pregnancy.
You can get pregnant from week three after giving birth and two weeks after having a miscarriage or abortion depending on how far along the pregnancy was.
There are different guidelines for each method around when you can start after a pregnancy. Some can be started very soon after pregnancy, while for others you have to wait longer and you will have to use additional contraception such as condoms in the meantime. This can also depend on whether you are breastfeeding or not.
We’ve included some guidance on our webpages for each contraception method but it’s best to speak to your GP, midwife or sexual health clinic to make sure a method is good for you.
No, it’s possible to start a new method of contraception at any time during your cycle as long as there is no risk of pregnancy. If there is a risk of pregnancy, you may have to wait to start. Your sexual health clinic or doctor can help decide which one is best for you.
You can get the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill from pharmacies without needing to see a doctor or nurse. The pharmacist will have a consultation with you. It’s best to check beforehand as not all pharmacies offer the pill.
The only contraception method that has links with weight gain is the Depo-Provera contraceptive injection.
There is no evidence of weight gain with any other contraception methods. A side effect of some methods for some people may be an increased appetite. If this leads to eating more without increasing exercise or physical activity, this may cause weight gain.
Hormonal contraception has no long-term impact on your fertility, and fertility will generally return to normal quickly when you stop using a hormonal method (usually within one to three months).
The only exception is the contraceptive injection – it can take up to 12 months for fertility to return when you stop using it so it’s generally not recommended if you are thinking about getting pregnant in the next year.
Different contraceptive methods affect people differently. It is possible that hormonal contraception may increase or decrease your libido.
If this happens and you don’t like it, you can always stop and try another method. It’s all about finding the method that works for you.
For some, being on contraception in itself helps increase their libido as they have reduced anxiety around having sex knowing that they are protected from pregnancy.
It’s worth sticking with the new method for at least three months as it can take this long for temporary side effects such as headaches, bleeding, and nausea to disappear.
If you’ve trialled the method for at least three months and you’re still experiencing side effects and problems, it might simply be that that contraception isn’t for you. Different contraception methods affect people differently- What works for someone else may not work for you.
In which case you should talk to your contraception provider, (GP or sexual health clinic) to discuss what other options may work better for you. For some people this might be as simple as changing from one brand of pill/injection to another.
No method of contraception is 100% effective but there are some ways you can give yourself that extra piece of mind if you’re someone prone to worrying about pregnancy:
Most antibiotics will not affect your contraception. The only ones that are known to reduce effectiveness are rifampicin and rifabutin, which are used to treat or prevent diseases such as meningitis and tuberculosis.
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you’re unsure or read the instructions that come with the antibiotics.
YES!
The pull-out “method” is not reliable. It can be hard to time right every time and especially if you are high or drunk as your reaction times will be slower. Pre-cum (liquid released by the penis before ejaculation (cumming)) can contain sperm from previous ejaculations which can also lead to pregnancy. If you don’t want to get pregnant it’s important to use a more reliable and effective method of contraception.
More about contraception methods
Emergency contraception should only be used, as the name suggests, for emergencies – as in, if the normal method of contraception has failed, for example the condom broke.
It should never be used as a more regular form of contraception because emergency contraceptive pills will not prevent pregnancy if ovulation has already occurred. They can also have a greater impact on mood and periods due to their necessary higher dosage compared to regular forms of contraception.
So It’s best to use a regular form of contraception whilst knowing emergency contraception is there to fall back on if something does go wrong.
You could also consider using the copper coil as emergency contraception which will protect you as soon as it is inserted and you won’t have to worry about pregnancy with the copper coil in place which can be for up to 10 years.
More about regular forms of contraception
Don’t panic! If it’s only one day you are likely to still be protected from pregnancy. It might be that you need to use emergency contraception or additional contraception such as condoms for the next few days to make sure you’re protected from pregnancy.
To find out if you’re protected you can:
If you’re unsure, make sure you speak to a medical professional.
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