Contraception
Health topics Sex and sexual health Contraception Learn about the different types of contraception available, how they work, their effectiveness and how to choose what’s right for you. Print / PDF What is contraception? Types of contraception Contraception and breastfeeding Contraception and menopause Hormone therapy is not a contraceptive Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) When to see your doctor 17 languages available العربية မြန်မာ 简体中文繁體中文 دری English فارسی हिन्दी ကညီကျိာ် नपालेी Thok Nath ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Soomaali Kiswahili தமிழ் ภาษาไทย Tiếng Việt Reviewed For the most update information on this topic, please visit jeanhailes.org.au Key takeaways Contraception helps to prevent pregnancy. There are different methods of contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), the Pill, vaginal rings, condoms and diaphragms. Ask your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of each method so you can make the right decision for you. Sections on this page What is contraception? Types of contraception Contraception and breastfeeding Contraception and menopause Hormone therapy is not a contraceptive Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) When to see your doctor Print / PDF Key takeaways Contraception helps to prevent pregnancy. There are different methods of contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), the Pill, vaginal rings, condoms and diaphragms. Ask your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of each method so you can make the right decision for you. What is contraception? Contraception means different ways to prevent pregnancy. It’s sometimes called birth control. Types of contraception No form of contraception is 100% effective. Every method has its advantages and disadvantages. There are many things to consider when choosing a contraception method. For example: how well it works cost potential side effects how easy it is to use your stage of life. Here are the most effective methods of contraception. Duration: 01:22 Contraception and breastfeeding If you breastfeed within 6 months of giving birth, it can reduce the likelihood of getting pregnant. But it’s still possible to get pregnant during this time. Breastfeeding as a natural birth control method is about 98% effective if you meet all of these conditions: your periods have not returned your baby is less than six months old your baby is fully breastfed and gets no other form of food or drink. Contraception and menopause Your fertility will decline as you age, but if you are still ovulating, it’s possible to get pregnant. If you’re younger than 50 and you don’t want to fall pregnant, you should use contraception for at least 2 years after your final period. If you’re 50 or older and you don’t want to fall pregnant, you should use contraception for at least one year after your final period. Hormone therapy is not a contraceptive Hormone therapy, such as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), hormone therapy for endometriosis and gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy, is not a contraceptive. Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Most methods of contraception do not protect you from STIs. Condoms are the only form of contraception that offer some protection against STIs. Condoms can also be used with other forms of contraception, for example, the Pill. Other barrier methods, such as dental dams (dams), can be used to prevent the spread of STIs. Dams are latex or polyurethane sheets used between the mouth and vagina or anus during oral sex. Learn more about safer sex and STIs When to see your doctor If you’re not sure which contraception to use, see your doctor. They can explain the benefits and risks of each method. You need a prescription for some methods of contraception, such as LARCs, vaginal rings and the Pill. If you’re sexually active, it’s also important to have regular STI checks with your doctor or sexual health nurse. For more information about contraception, visit the Sexual Health Victoria website. Personal stories about sex and sexual health Story I got a sexually transmitted infection at 51: I’m devastated 6 min Story ‘I wanted to have sex but it was physically impossible’: Life with severe vaginismus 5 min Story Menopause took my sex drive – we need to talk about it 4 min Review process Our review process This information has been reviewed by clinical experts and is based on the latest evidence. Our content review process ensures our health information is accurate, trustworthy, current and useful. We regularly check our information to make sure it reflects the latest clinical guidelines and key findings from large, reliable studies. Where possible, we focus on Australian research to make our information more relevant locally. Experts play a key role in reviewing our content. Clinicians at Jean Hailes check information for accuracy and real‑world relevance. These include GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and allied health professionals. We also work with partner organisations, independent specialists and people with lived experience to make sure our content reflects both expert knowledge and the experiences of the community. Health information in your language view all You might want to know more about Topic Enjoying your sex life Topic Abortion Topic Healthy relationships Topic Sex and sexual health as you age

Contraception

Learn about the different types of contraception available, how they work, their effectiveness and how to choose what’s right for you.

Print / PDF

Reviewed

Key takeaways

Contraception helps to prevent pregnancy.
There are different methods of contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), the Pill, vaginal rings, condoms and diaphragms.
Ask your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of each method so you can make the right decision for you.

Key takeaways

Contraception helps to prevent pregnancy.
There are different methods of contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), the Pill, vaginal rings, condoms and diaphragms.
Ask your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of each method so you can make the right decision for you.

What is contraception?

Contraception means different ways to prevent pregnancy. It’s sometimes called birth control.

Types of contraception

No form of contraception is 100% effective. Every method has its advantages and disadvantages. There are many things to consider when choosing a contraception method. For example:

how well it works
cost
potential side effects
how easy it is to use
your stage of life.

Here are the most effective methods of contraception.

Duration: 01:22

Dr Pav Nanayakkara (00:02):
An IUD is an intrauterine device, which is something that is put inside the uterus to help in the prevention of pregnancy. It is a cost-effective, highly effective method of contraception, that is a great set-and-forget option. Once it’s in, you don’t have to worry about it for the next five to 10 years.

Dr Pav Nanayakkara (00:23):
So an IUD is a fantastic option for women of any age, including young women. You don’t necessarily need to have had a baby to have one inserted, and we can insert one for you in clinic, or if you’re feeling anxious about the procedure, we have the option of inserting it asleep as well.

Dr Pav Nanayakkara (00:42):
The IUD insertion procedure is quite quick. It takes five to 10 minutes. Most patients will have mild period-like cramping discomfort during the insertion, and we recommend taking some simple pain relief before coming in to have it done. If the pain is too much or you’re too uncomfortable, we can always take a break or have a chat about inserting it in under anaesthetic. Most pain during a procedure is short-lived and will settle within a few minutes.

Dr Pav Nanayakkara (01:12):
An intrauterine device can be used for other things than contraception alone. It can be useful in the management of heavy menstrual bleeding, in period pain, and also in the perimenopause and menopause time to manage bleeding.

Dr Pav Nanayakkara (01:28):
Heavy menstrual bleeding is different for everyone. It’s any bleeding that’s significant enough that it starts to impact your life. For some people that’s changing pads or tampons every hour. For other people, it’s passing large clots or flooding their sheets. If you have any bleeding that’s starting to cause you to become tired or fatigued, it’s worth having a chat to your GP.

Dr Pav Nanayakkara (01:52):
Your doctor would start by taking a full history of your symptoms, and sometimes performing an examination. We may also order some other tests, which can include blood tests or an ultrasound scan to see what might be causing the bleeding.

Dr Pav Nanayakkara (02:08):
The management depends on the cause. We often start with simple things like increasing the iron and vitamin C in your diet, to make up for any bleeding that you’ve had that’s excessive. We also look at medical management options, which can include the oral contraceptive pill or the intrauterine device, as well as certain other hormones to help, and medications to help minimise the bleeding that you’re having overall. Lastly, we can look at surgical management options, which can include treatment of polyps, fibroids, and other conditions like endometriosis, which may be contributing.

Dr Pav Nanayakkara (02:39):
For anyone considering IUD, I would recommend coming and having a chat to your GP or a women’s health specialist for more information about the procedure.

End of transcript

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Contraception and breastfeeding

If you breastfeed within 6 months of giving birth, it can reduce the likelihood of getting pregnant. But it’s still possible to get pregnant during this time. Breastfeeding as a natural birth control method is about 98% effective if you meet all of these conditions:

your periods have not returned
your baby is less than six months old
your baby is fully breastfed and gets no other form of food or drink.

Contraception and menopause

Your fertility will decline as you age, but if you are still ovulating, it’s possible to get pregnant.

If you’re younger than 50 and you don’t want to fall pregnant, you should use contraception for at least 2 years after your final period.

If you’re 50 or older and you don’t want to fall pregnant, you should use contraception for at least one year after your final period.

Hormone therapy is not a contraceptive

Hormone therapy, such as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), hormone therapy for endometriosis and gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy, is not a contraceptive.

Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Most methods of contraception do not protect you from STIs. Condoms are the only form of contraception that offer some protection against STIs. Condoms can also be used with other forms of contraception, for example, the Pill.

Other barrier methods, such as dental dams (dams), can be used to prevent the spread of STIs. Dams are latex or polyurethane sheets used between the mouth and vagina or anus during oral sex.