Contraception: Know your options

There are many different types of contraception and choosing the right one for you can be tricky. To help you decide, we’ve put together this quick guide to 6 of the best options available.

1. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)

LARC is long-lasting contraception. It comes in 3 forms:

• Hormonal implant (Implanon®) which is inserted in your arm and lasts 3 years. It releases the progestogen hormone, stopping ovulation (your ovaries releasing eggs).
  Rating: More than 99% effective.
• Hormonal injection (Depo Provera) given every 12 weeks to stop ovulation.
  Rating: More than 96% effective.
• Intrauterine device (IUD) inserted into your uterus through your vagina. It stops sperm from reaching the egg. There are hormonal IUDs (Mirena® or Kyleena®) and copper IUDs. They last around 5 to 10 years.
  Rating: More than 99% effective.

Good if you want the most effective method of contraception. LARC doesn’t disrupt sex and because it’s long-lasting, you don’t have to think about contraception every day. Some IUDs may also help treat heavy periods.

Be mindful it must be given by a trained nurse or doctor. Ensure you discuss potential side effects of LARC at your appointment.

2. The Pill (oral contraception)

The Pill contains oestrogen and progesterone hormones to prevent pregnancy. You take it every day, at around the same time. A progesterone-only pill (mini pill) and a progesterone pill (Slinda) are also available.

Rating: More than 93% effective.

Good if you want effective contraception that doesn’t disrupt sex. It may also help with heavy, painful periods, and some health conditions, such as endometriosis.

Be mindful you need a prescription for the Pill and must remember to take it daily. Remember to discuss potential side effects with your doctor.

3. Vaginal ring

A vaginal ring has the same hormones as the combined oral contraceptive pill. You place a new one high up in your vagina every month and leave it in for 3 weeks.

Rating: More than 93% effective.

Good if you want predictable, less painful periods. Vaginal rings don’t disrupt sex and you can insert them yourself.

Be mindful you need a prescription for the vaginal ring. It also must be worn at the right times to work properly.

4. Condoms and diaphragms (barrier methods)

These options stop sperm from reaching an egg. They must be used properly to be effective.

Rating:

• external condom worn over an erect penis – more than 88% effective
• internal condom fitted loosely in the vagina – more than 79% effective
• diaphragm placed in the vagina before sex – more than 82% effective.

Good if you want cheaper contraception you can get without a prescription. Condoms can also help protect against some – but not all – STIs. Diaphragms don’t offer any protection against STIs.

Be mindful they are less effective than other types of contraception and unreliable if damaged or used incorrectly. They can interrupt sex. It may also be difficult to insert internal condoms and diaphragms.

5. Emergency contraception (‘morning after’ pill)

The morning after pill prevents or delays ovulation. But it doesn’t always prevent pregnancy. You can use it if you forget to take the Pill, have unprotected sex or if a condom breaks during sex.

Rating: More than 85% effective (best when taken within 24 hours after vaginal sex. A copper IUD inserted within 5 days of sex can also be used as emergency contraception.)

Good if you want emergency contraception without a prescription. (You will need to see a doctor if you want a copper IUD.)

Be mindful it doesn’t end a pregnancy (it's not an abortion).

6. Permanent contraception

An operation to close your fallopian tubes is one form of permanent contraception. Another is an operation in a male to cut the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis (vasectomy).

Rating: More than 99% effective.

Good if you want very effective contraception that doesn't affect your hormones or periods.

Be mindful it's hard to reverse permanent contraception.