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Contraception
(A Guide)
Contraception is a term used for any method utilized to help prevent a pregnancy. The most effective way of avoiding pregnancy is not to have sex!!
Young people especially may feel pressured into having sex before they really want to, and at a time when they are unprepared, having not thought about it, or not using any form of contraception, together with the consequences.
Some may feel pressured into having sex because they believe that is what their friends are doing, when quite often that is not the case. They feel it is a necessary step in order to keep a particular relationship going but have not considered how a unplanned pregnancy might effect that relationship or themselves.
There are many different forms of contraception available. It is wise to discuss which form of contraception is right for you with health care professionals in your local family planning clinic/medical centre.
Some forms of contraception e.g condoms are easily available and can be bought over the counter at chemists/apotheka, supermarkets, garages and NAAFI. Or obtained free at your local Family Planning Clinic. Others require medical checks and/or a prescription from your GP, Family Planning Clinic or Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine Clinic.
Confidentiality and young people
Many teenagers risk pregnancy rather than seek contraceptive advice, mistakenly fearing that their GP or Family Planning Clinic will not respect their confidentiality.
The duty of confidentiality owed to a young person, even under 16 years, is the same as that owed to any other person.
Any competent young person, regardless of age, can independently seek medical advice and give valid consent to medical treatment.
Emergency contraception
If you have had sex recently and there is a possibility of unwanted pregnancy, contact your doctor or local Family Planning Clinic quickly.
Emergency contraception (morning after pill) is available to prevent pregnancy but must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected or unplanned sex. (see more detail on "morning after pill" on this page).
A copper interuterine device (IUCD) can also be used as emergency contraception and may be effective up to 5 days after unprotected or unplanned sex. (see more detail on IUCD on this page).
Types of contraception:
Male Condom
Female Condom
The Pill:
Combined pill
Progestogen only pill
Emergency contraception/Morning after pill/IUCD
Contraceptive Injection
Implants
Intrauterine Device/Coil
Intrauterine System
Male Sterilization
Female Sterilization
Diaphragm or Cap
Natural Method
Male Condom:
The male condom is the most widely available form of contraceptive device available. It can be obtained free from Family Planing Clinics and departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine.
It can also be purchased from chemists, supermarkets, drug stores, pubs, clubs, garages, NAAFI, etc.
It can be purchased online at the many different web sites which also give good advice on how to use condoms properly ( in your search category type in condom and view the results).
One difficulty is that most of online purchasing requires you to have a credit card. A few of these sites do offer free samples in the hope that you will purchase their product in the future.
Condoms are a barrier form of contraception and are intended to stop sperm being released into the female genital tract during sexual intercourse. If used according to the manufacturers instructions they are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy and offer protection from sexually transmitted diseases. In the UK it is recommended that only those condoms which carry the BSI kite mark or the European CE mark be used, as these have had thorough quality checks. Be aware Condoms also carry an expiry date.
You can also get private confidential advice on how to use condoms properly from your local Family Planning Clinic and also departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine.
Using a condom for the first time can take some getting used to for both partners. It is a good idea to practice with one or two before you use them as a form of contraception.
Use a new condom each time you have sex.
Put the condom on when the penis is fully erect and before the penis comes into contact with the vagina or genital area.
If a condom does not fit or will not roll down the erect penis, it may be inside out. Don not try to put the same condom on again the right way round as sperm may then be on the outside of the condom.
As soon as the male ejaculates, or cums, the condom should be held in place on the penis and both withdrawn from the vagina.
If you have sex again use a new condom.
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Female Condoms:
These condoms are another barrier form of contraception and are about 95% effective in preventing pregnancy if used according to the manufacturers instructions. They are not as widely available as male condoms; are more cumbersome to use; and are expensive. Some Family Planning Clinics may supply them free.
You can also get private confidential advice on how to use these condoms properly from your local Family Planning Clinic.
The Pill:
Combined pill, This contains two hormones which when taken by a women stop an egg being released each month. If taken according to instructions it is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
This pill may not be suitable for every women and may cause some minor side effects, hence it is only available on prescription from your own doctor or Family Planning Clinic.
It is not as effective if taken later than instructed or if vomiting occurs soon after taking it. Some drugs such (e.g certain antibiotics), may also reduce the effectiveness of this pill.
You should seek the advice of your doctor, family planning nurse or pharmacist if you have any doubts as to the effectiveness of this pill.
Progestogen only pill, This pill contains one hormone which causes changes in the women's reproductive system making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb and the womb to accept a fertilized egg. In some women it stops an egg being produced. If taken according to instructions it is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
This pill may not be suitable for every women and may cause some minor side effects, hence it is only available on prescription from your own doctor or Family Planning Clinic.
It is less effective if taken later than instructed (less so than the combined pill which can be more forgiving if taken late) or if vomiting occurs soon after taking it. Some drugs, such as certain antibiotics, may also reduce the effectiveness of this pill.
You should seek the advice of your doctor, family planning nurse or pharmacist if you have any doubts as to the effectiveness of this pill.
Emergency contraception
Morning after pill:
There are a couple of types of emergency contraceptive pill available, which if taken correctly, help stop or delay an egg being produced, or stop implantation of the egg in the womb.
Not as effective in preventing pregnancy as some other methods of contraception in that it may prevent 3 out of every 4 pregnancies, where no other form of contraception was used.
It is most effective if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse, and is only available from your doctor, Family Planning Clinic and in some departments of Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine.
It may also be obtained from some casualty departments as well as some NHS direct centres.
In some health authority areas it is made available direct from the chemist shop where for a fee it may be purchased over the counter.
Contraceptive pills do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.
IUCD:
Copper intrauterine devices can also be used as a form of emergency contraception and can be effective up to five days after unprotected or unplanned sexual intercourse. In some instances they may help to prevent pregnancy later than five days after unplanned sex, but is dependant upon the women's cycle. This would need to be carefully discussed with an appropriate health care professional such as those at your local family planning clinic. An advantage of these devices is that once inserted they continue to be a form of ongoing contraception.
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Contraceptive Injection:
An injection given to women, which releases a hormone, slowly over a three month period, preventing an egg being produced.
It is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy and is available from your doctor or Family Planning Clinic.
It does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Implants: Small soft tubes containing a hormone are placed under the skin (usually in the upper arm). They steadily release a hormone which prevents production, implantation or fertilization of the egg.
They are 99% effective for the first year after implantation and 98% effective for five years in preventing pregnancy. Available from your doctor or Family Planning Clinic.
Some implants may last 3 to 5 years without the need to be replaced, but do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.
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Intrauterine Device/Coil: These are small plastic or copper devices placed in the womb which prevent a fertilized egg implanting in the womb.
They are 98%-99% effective depending on the type used and prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years, but can be removed at any time and fertility restored.
They are available from your doctor or Family Planning Clinic.
They do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Intrauterine System:
These are small plastic devices containing an hormone that are placed inside the womb which prevent pregnancy by preventing a fertilized egg implanting.
They are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy for up to 5 years but can be removed at any time and fertility restored.
They are available from your doctor or Family Planning Clinic.
They do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.
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Male Sterilization: This involves a small operation, (which takes about 15 minutes) usually under local anaesthetic. The tubes which carry the sperm from the testis are cut and tied, as a result the fluid that is ejaculated during sexual intercourse contains no sperm.
It is 99% successful; is usually permanent but may not be immediately effective. Tests following the operation to prove that no sperm are present in the jaculate determine when other forms of contraception may be abandoned. This small operation can be done in the doctors surgery or as an hospital outpatient. You should be able to obtain details of where and who performs this operation at your doctors or local Family Planning Clinic. Some surgeons who perform this operation will only do so if the male meets certain criteria e.g. the male is of a certain age, has children and in a stable relationship.
This operation does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.
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Female Sterilization: This involves a more complex operation than male sterilization and usually requires a general anaesthetic.
In this operation, the fallopian tubes which carry the egg to the womb are divided or tied.
It may require admission to hospital of a few days or so.
It is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy and is usually permanent.
Certain criteria may have to be met before the surgeon will be willing to offer such an operation.
You can obtain details of this form of contraception from your doctor or Family Planning Clinic.
This operation does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.
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Diaphragm or Cap: This is a flexible rubber or silicone device used to cover the cervix (the entrance to the womb) preventing sperm from getting any further than the vagina.
It is used, along with spermacides, and must stay in position for 6hrs after sexual intercourse.
It may be inserted any time before sexual intercourse takes place although if in place for more than three hours the addition of extra spermacide is needed. Some types of cap can be left in place for up to three days or so.
If used as instructed it is 92%-96% effective in preventing pregnancy. The device has to be properly fitted as there are different sizes for different individuals and may need to be refitted every 12 months. They may also need re fitting if a persons weight changes dramatically or following childbirth.
They are available from your doctor or Family Planning Clinic.
They do not offer protection against all sexually transmitted infections.
Natural Method: This method relies upon calculating certain fertility indicators to determine when a female is or is not ovulating/releasing an egg.
This method requires some skill and learning by the individual but can be effective in preventing pregnancy depending on the individual.
For more information on this method it would be best to consult those in your local Family Planning Clinic.
This method does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.
You may have heard of a new contraceptive pill being researched for males, at present this site has no information pertaining to this form of contraception.
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Useful web site addresses for more information:
www.fpa.org.uk (Family Planning Association web site, useful information on all aspects of sexual health).
www.brook.org.uk (Brook provides advice on all sexual health matters including local brook centres).
www.mariestopes.org.uk (Mariestopes International provides reproductive healthcare world-wide, details of UK services and contact details).
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