Contraception
Contraception, also known as birth control, is the prevention of pregnancy by interfering with the process of conception and implantation. There are several different methods of contraception, which may suit you at different times in your life.
Contraceptive methods
There are many types of birth control – for women and for men.
Different options include:
- Barrier methods: These are the most common and involve using a physical barrier to prevent the sperm from entering the woman’s uterus. Methods include:
- Male condom: a thin latex or polyurethane covering rolled over the erect penis before sexual intercourse.
- Female condom: a polyurethane tube inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse.
- Spermicides: a substance that kills the sperm.
- Hormonal methods: Synthetic and natural hormones may be taken orally, implanted into body tissue or placed in the vagina. They prevent ovaries from releasing eggs, thicken mucus around the cervix and thin the lining of the womb. They are 99.7 per cent effective if used correctly. Options include:
- Combined pill: contains synthetic forms of the hormone oestrogen and progesterone.
- Mini pill: contains a synthetic form of only one hormone, progesterone.
- Vaginal ring: A ‘one size fits all’ ring, placed into the vagina to slowly release hormones. The ring only lasts for three weeks.
- Intrauterine Devices (IUD): An IUD is a small device containing copper or hormones that is inserted into the uterus by a doctor. IUDs are more than 99 per cent effective and work by changing the environment of the uterus so sperm cannot survive.
- Sterilisation: Sterilisation involves either a vasectomy (for men) or a tubal ligation (for women) and is used for individuals who do not intend to have children in the future.
The choice of a contraceptive method depends on a person’s age, health, frequency of sexual activity, number of sexual partners, desire to have children and certain medical conditions. Always discuss the birth control method you choose with your doctor.
Safe Sex Advice
Safe sex isn’t just penetrative vaginal sex. It can also include oral sex, anal sex and masturbation. Some people may even define sex as any sexual activity. It is important you make sure that all sexual activity is undertaken safely.
Safe sex means that you make sure your body fluids and your partner’s body fluids (semen, vaginal fluids and blood) don’t come into contact with each other’s bodies.
If you’re having sex, you can keep it safe by doing two things:
- Make sure that you always use a condom.
- Make sure you get tested for STIs regularly.
Do both these things and you’re doing the best you can to protect yourself and your partners from sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
For confidential advice call our practice and make an appointment.
Contraception Advice
Family planning is the method of planning your family in terms of the desired number of children, and comfortably spacing your pregnancies. Family planning is achieved with the use of contraceptives.
There are many different methods of contraception to avoid pregnancy
- Abstinence
- Natural family planning method
- Barrier methods
- Hormonal methods
- Withdrawal
- Sterilisation
- Implanon
- Mirena IUS
- Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device
Our doctors can help you make the right choice for you and your partner.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception, or emergency postcoital contraception, are birth control measures that may be used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
The Emergency contraceptive pill is sometimes called the ‘morning-after pill’. It is most effective when taken with 24 hours (1 day) of unprotected sex, but can be taken up to 96 hours (4 days).
For urgent advice call our clinic