Contraception Choice
Find out about the range of contraception options available and the right option for you. The most effective forms of contraception are now available for FREE.
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Contraception Choice
There are a wide range of contraceptives you can choose from.
This great video from Family Planning provides an explanation of the common types so you can be more informed and choose the one that is right for you.
Do you know the most effective forms of contraception
Implant & IUD are the most effective forms of contraception
Contraception may be highly effective with “perfect use” (when it is used correctly all the time), but significantly less effective as “typically used” (what generally happens in real life).
The effectiveness of contraception has been grouped based on “typical use”. It also mentions “perfect use”.
Implant - Jadelle
Two small, flexible plastic rods that are placed just under the skin in the upper arm. The implant releases the hormone progestogen to control fertility.
- Suitable for women of all ages
- Hormones
- Lasts up to 5 years
- Placed in the upper arm
- Effective in 7 days
- Does not protect against STIs
Hormonal IUD - Mirena | Jaydess
A Hormonal IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic device, which contains the hormone progestogen to control your fertility. The device is put into the uterus (womb).
- Suitable for women of all ages
- Hormones
- Lasts from 3 to 5 years (depending on IUD)
- Placed in the uterus
- Effective in 7 days
- Does not protect against STIs
Non-Hormonal IUD - Copper | Coil
A non-hormonal (Copper) IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic device which contains copper. It is put into the uterus (womb). A Copper IUD does not contain hormones. The copper IUD can also be used as an Emergency Contraception.
- Suitable for women of all ages
- Lasts from 5 to 10 years (depending on IUD)
- Placed in the uterus
- Effective immediately
- Emergency contraception - up to 5 days after sex
- Does not protect against STIs
sterilisation - tubal Ligation | Vasectomy
Sterilisation is a permanent form of contraception which involves an operation to stop the sperm and egg meeting.
- Permanent (reversal sometimes an option)
- Female or male tubes cut/sealed or blocked
- Takes between 4 weeks and 3 months to be effective
- Does not protect against STIs
Injection - Depo Provera
The injection contains the hormone progestogen. The injection is up to 99% effective if you have injections on time.
- Hormones
- Lasts up to 3 months
- Injection in the upper arm or buttock
- Effective in 7 days
- Does not protect against STIs
The Pill - Combined | Progestogen-Only Pill (the mini pill)
There are two types of 'pill’, the combined pill contains two hormones similar to those produced naturally by the body; progestogen and oestrogen. The Progestogen-Only Pill contains only progestogen.
- Hormones
- Take every day
- Can be up to 99% effective if taken every day
- Effective in 7 days
- Does not protect against STIs
Patch
The patch is a small beige 5cm by 5cm patch that is applied to the skin like a plaster. It releases two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen (one of the forms of progesterone) into the bloodstream.
- Hormones
- Replace every week
- Can be up to 99% effective when used correctly
- Effective in 7 days
- Does not protect against STIs
Emergency Contraceptive Pill - Morning After Pill | ECP
If you’ve had unprotected sex you may be able to prevent pregnancy by using Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP). See also Copper IUD.
- Emergency contraception pill - up to 3 days after sex
- Can be up to 98% effective
- Effectiveness depends on weight
- Not for regular contraception use
- Does not protect against STIs
Lactational Amenorrhea (or LAM)
LAM is for women that are fully breastfeeding: feeding baby on demand without food supplements. It can only be relied upon in the first six months after delivery and only if there is no return of menstruation in that time.
- During breastfeeding only
- Can be up to 98% effective when followed correctly
- Effective immediately
- Does not protect against STIs
Diaphragm
Diaphragms are dome-shaped devices (of either latex or silicone) that fit into the vagina and over the cervix. It stops sperm from getting through to join an egg and should always be used with spermicide.
- Put in before sex
- Reusable (refer to diaphragm instructions)
- Effectiveness data is poor
- Effective at time of use
- Some STI protection
Condoms - Female Condom, Internal | Male Condom
There are two types of condom for female and male. The female condom lines the vagina (internal) to protect against unwanted pregnancy and STIs. The male condom is placed over the penis. Condoms prevent pregnancy by keeping sperm from entering the vagina.
- Put in before sex
- Can only be used once
- Can be up to 95% effective if used correctly
- Effective at time of use
- Protects against STI protection
Fertility Awareness
Fertility awareness works by observing and recording your body’s different natural signs each day of your monthly cycle to work out when you are most fertile. Can be used to plan pregnancy as well as avoid pregnancy.
- Understanding of your menstrual and fertile cycle
- Requires daily recording
- Can be up to 99% effective when used correctly
- Effective at time of monitoring
- Does not protect against STIs
Withdrawal - "Being Careful" | "Pulling Out"
The technical term for this method is coitus interruptus. The man recognises when he is about to come (ejaculate) and withdraws the penis so that the sperm does not enter the vagina. The success of the method varies greatly and pre-ejaculate (fluid before the orgasm) may contain sperm.
- Requires partners cooperation
- Can be up to 96% effective when followed correctly
- Does not protect against STIs
Page last updated: 19 February and reviewed for clinical accuracy.
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