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A brief overview of each contraception method and how you can get it

    SUMMARY

    A brief overview of each contraception method and how you can get it

    THE
    IUS

    The IUS

    The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 5 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

    THE
    IUD

    The IUD

    The Copper Coil is a small, T-shaped plastic frame that has a copper wire. it is given with a prescription and placed in your womb by a doctor or nurse, where it prevents pregnancy for up to 5 to up to 10 years depending on the type and the availability in your country.

    THE
    IMPLANT

    The Implant

    A small, flex­i­ble sil­i­cone rod that re­leases hor­mones for up to 3 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doc­tor or nurse.

    THE
    PILL

    The Pill

    A small tablet con­tain­ing one hor­mone, or a com­bined pill con­tain­ing two hor­mones, that is self-ad­min­is­tered with a pre­scrip­tion and needs to be swal­lowed at the same time each day.

    THE
    INJECTION

    The Injection

    An injection containing hormone(s) that is given with a prescription and administered by a doctor or nurse every 2 or 3 months depending on the type and the availability in your country.

    THE
    PATCH

    The Patch

    A small, thin, skin-coloured plas­tic square that sticks to the skin and re­leases hor­mones. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and can be self-ad­min­is­tered once a week.

    THE
    DIAPHRAGM

    The Diaphragm

    A sil­i­cone cup placed in the vagina that pre­vents sperm from reach­ing the womb. Though some are fit­ted by a doc­tor or nurse, most are self-ad­min­is­tered with a pre­scrip­tion up to 24 hours be­fore sex.

    THE
    RING

    The Ring

    A small, flex­i­ble ring that is self-ad­min­is­tered with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in the vagina, where it re­leases hor­mones for 3 weeks.

    THE
    FEMALE
    CONDOM

    The Female Condom

    An in­ter­nal con­dom that works in the same way male con­doms do, though it is placed in the vagina. It is self-ad­min­is­tered and bought over the counter.

    THE
    MALE
    CONDOM

    The Male Condom

    A sheath placed over the erect penis to stop sperm from reaching the vagina it is also the only method that helps lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

    NATURAL
    PLANNING

    Natural Planning

    Self-di­rected meth­ods of avoid­ing preg­nancy that in­clude men­strual cycle track­ing and body tem­per­a­ture mea­sure­ments to iden­tify fer­tile days.

    WITHDRAWAL

    Withdrawal

    Also known as ‘The pull-out method’, this self-di­rected method in­volves with­draw­ing the penis prior to ejac­u­la­tion to avoid preg­nancy.

    FEMALE
    STERILISATION

    Female Sterilisation

    A med­ical pro­ce­dure per­formed by a doc­tor or nurse that blocks the fal­lop­ian tubes and re­moves the pos­si­bil­ity of preg­nancy.

    MALE
    STERILISATION

    Male Sterilisation

    A med­ical pro­ce­dure per­formed by a doc­tor or nurse that blocks the tubes car­ry­ing sperm.
    EFFECTIVENESS

    A brief description of how effective each method is with typical use.

    THE
    IUS

    The IUS

    The soft, flexible intrauterine system releases a progestin to stop sperm from fertilising an egg. It is a reversible and highly effective method of contraception.

    99%

    THE
    IUD

    The IUD

    The intrauterine device uses copper ions to prevent sperm from moving and fertilising an egg. It is a reversible and highly effective method of contraception.

    99%

    THE
    IMPLANT

    The Implant

    The contraceptive implant releases a progestin to stop sperm from fertilising an egg. It is a reversible and highly effective method of contraception.

    99%

    THE
    PILL

    The Pill

    All contraceptive pills contain a progestin to stop sperm from fertilising an egg. Some also contain estrogen, which prevents ovaries from releasing an egg. It is very effective when taken exactly as directed.

    91%

    THE
    INJECTION

    The Injection

    All contraceptive injections contain a progestin to stop sperm from fertilising an egg. Some also contain estrogen, which prevents ovaries from releasing an egg. It is very effective if always administered on time.

    94%

    THE
    PATCH

    The Patch

    The patch prevents ovaries from releasing eggs. It is very effective with typical use.

    91%

    THE
    DIAPHRAGM

    The Diaphragm

    The diaphragm prevents sperm from entering the uterus. It is fairly effective.

    88%

    THE
    RING

    The Ring

    The ring prevents ovaries from releasing eggs. It is very effective with typical use.

    91%

    THE
    FEMALE
    CONDOM

    The Female Condom

    The female condom prevents sperm from reaching the uterus. It is less effective than other methods of contraception.

    79%

    THE
    MALE
    CONDOM

    The Male Condom

    The male condom prevents sperm from reaching the uterus. It is a fairly effective method of contraception.

    82%

    NATURAL
    PLANNING

    Natural Planning

    The efficacy of natural planning depends on the chosen method used. For the most part, it is less effective at preventing pregnancy.

    76%

    WITHDRAWAL

    Withdrawal

    Withdrawal must be done properly and in a timely manner and is therefore less effective as a method of contraception.

    78%

    FEMALE
    STERILISATION

    Female Sterilisation

    Female sterilisation is a permanent, non-reversible, and highly effective method of contraception.

    99%+

    MALE
    STERILISATION

    Male Sterilisation

    Male sterilisation is a permanent and highly effective method of contraception.

    99%+

    EASE OF USE

    A brief summary of how much attention each method needs.

    THE
    IUS

    The IUS

    The intrauterine system is small, soft, flexible and long-acting. Once placed it is effective for up to 5 years.

    5 YEARS

    THE
    IUD

    The IUD

    The intrauterine device is long-acting and lasts up to 5 or up to 10 years once placed, depending on the type available in your country.

    5-10 YEARS

    THE
    IMPLANT

    The Implant

    The contraceptive implant is long-acting and lasts up to 3 years once placed.

    3 YEARS

    THE
    PILL

    The Pill

    The pill is intended to be swallowed once a day, at the same time each day.

    DAILY

    THE
    INJECTION

    The Injection

    The contraceptive injection is effective for up 2 to up to 3 months at a time, but it’s important to get the shot from your doctor or nurse on time, every 2 or every 3 months, depending on the one prescribed by your doctor and on the type available in your country.

    2-3 MONTHS

    THE
    PATCH

    The Patch

    The patch needs to be changed weekly in order to be effective.

    WEEKLY

    THE
    DIAPHRAGM

    The Diaphragm

    The diaphragm needs to be placed in the vagina prior to intercourse, each time, but should not be kept in for longer than 24 hours.

    BEFORE
    SEX

    THE
    RING

    The Ring

    The ring needs to be left in placed in the vagina for 3 weeks. It is removed during the fourth week, before being replaced at the start of another 4-week cycle.

    3 WEEKS

    THE
    FEMALE
    CONDOM

    The Female Condom

    The female condom needs to be inserted in the vagina prior to intercourse, each time.

    BEFORE
    SEX

    THE
    MALE
    CONDOM

    The Male Condom

    The male condom needs to be placed over the penis prior to intercourse, each time.

    BEFORE
    SEX

    NATURAL
    PLANNING

    Natural Planning

    Natural planning methods vary in terms of how much attention they need, but it’s important to be aware of fertile days and to use additional contraception on these days.

    DAILY

    WITHDRAWAL

    Withdrawal

    Withdrawal needs to be performed during intercourse, each time.

    BEFORE
    SEX

    FEMALE
    STERILISATION

    Female Sterilisation

    Female sterilisation is a permanent procedure. Once it’s done, it’s done.

    PERMANENT

    MALE
    STERILISATION

    Male Sterilisation

    Male sterilisation is a permanent procedure. Once it’s done, it’s done.

    PERMANENT

    HORMONES

    An overview of the hormones included in each method (if any) and where they are released in the body.

    THE
    IUS

    The IUS

    The intrauterine system releases a low dose of a progestin from its small, flexible plastic frame, acting mainly locally within the womb.

    YES

    THE
    IUD

    The IUD

    The intrauterine device is hormone-free and releases copper ions, acting mainly locally within the womb.

    NO

    THE
    IMPLANT

    The Implant

    The contraceptive implant releases a progestin throughout the entire body.

    YES

    THE
    PILL

    The Pill

    The pill contains hormones – either a progestin and estrogen, or only a progestin, depending on the type of pill – which are released throughout the entire body.

    YES

    THE
    INJECTION

    The Injection

    The contraceptive injection contains only one hormone, a progestin– that is released throughout the entire body.

    YES

    THE
    PATCH

    The Patch

    The patch continuously releases hormones – estrogen and a progestin – throughout the entire body.

    YES

    THE
    DIAPHRAGM

    The Diaphragm

    The diaphragm is hormone-free.

    NO

    THE
    RING

    The Ring

    The ring releases a low dose of a progestin and estrogen.

    YES

    THE
    FEMALE
    CONDOM

    The Female Condom

    The female condom is hormone-free.

    NO

    THE
    MALE
    CONDOM

    The Male Condom

    The male condom is hormone-free.

    NO

    NATURAL
    PLANNING

    Natural Planning

    Natural planning is hormone-free.

    NO

    WITHDRAWAL

    Withdrawal

    Withdrawal is hormone-free.

    NO

    FEMALE
    STERILISATION

    Female Sterilisation

    Female sterilisation is hormone-free.

    NO

    MALE
    STERILISATION

    Male Sterilisation

    Male sterilisation is hormone-free.

    NO

    IMPACT ON MENSTRUATION

    A brief description of how each method impacts your period, if at all.

    THE
    IUS

    The IUS

    The small and flexible intrauterine system may cause lighter, shorter bleeding, and may lead to a reduction in pain over time.

    LIGHT

    THE
    IUD

    The IUD

    The intrauterine device may cause heavier, longer bleeding and cramps.

    MEDIUM

    THE
    IMPLANT

    The Implant

    The contraceptive implant may cause irregular, lighter bleeding and reduce pain.

    LIGHT

    THE
    PILL

    The Pill

    The pill maintains regular bleeding in each cycle, and it may reduce bleeding and pain.

    LIGHT

    THE
    INJECTION

    The Injection

    The contraceptive injection may cause irregular bleeding. In some cases it may cause shorter, lighter periods, or no periods at all.

    LIGHT

    THE
    PATCH

    The Patch

    The patch may cause disrupted periods, either in the form of irregular bleeding, or regular, lighter periods.

    NONE

    THE
    DIAPHRAGM

    The Diaphragm

    The diaphragm has no impact on menstruation.

    NONE

    THE
    RING

    The Ring

    The ring may cause temporary irregular bleeding and may stop menstruation altogether.

    LIGHT

    THE
    FEMALE
    CONDOM

    The Female Condom

    The female condom has no impact on menstruation.

    NONE

    THE
    MALE
    CONDOM

    The Male Condom

    The male condom has no impact on menstruation.

    NONE

    NATURAL
    PLANNING

    Natural Planning

    Natural planning has no impact on menstruation.

    NONE

    WITHDRAWAL

    Withdrawal

    Withdrawal has no impact on menstruation.

    NONE

    FEMALE
    STERILISATION

    Female Sterilisation

    Female sterilisation has no impact on menstruation.

    NONE

    MALE
    STERILISATION

    Male Sterilisation

    Male sterilisation has no impact on menstruation.

    NONE

    Is It Okay?

    CONSIDER THIS

    If you’re concerned that your ring may fall out or has fallen out for more than three hours,
    you should consult your doctor or nurse and read your Patient Information Leaflet. In the
    meantime, consider using another form of contraception such as a condom.

    LEARN MORE

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    Date of last update: 19 January 2021

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