Contraception:

• Hormonal method of contraception

  Uses hormones to prevent pregnancy, containing oestrogen and progesterone or sometimes progesterone only
• Surgical method of contraception

  Involve surgery and permanently prevents pregnancy
• Barrier method of contraception

  Preventing the sperm from reaching an egg
• Ovulation


  A phase of the female menstrual cycle that involves the release of an egg from one of the ovaries
• Types of contraception methods

  • Contraceptive pill
  • Contraceptive injection
  • Contraceptive patch
  • Diaphragm or cap
  • Spermicides
  • Condoms
  • Contraceptive implant
• Contraceptive pill

  • Contains hormones which prevent the release of eggs from the ovaries
  • Advantages: Manage heavy and painful periods, reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Disadvantages: Needs to be taken correctly, small risk of blood clots, side effects include headaches and nausea
• Contraception


  Any method or technique used to prevent pregnancy because of sexual intercourse
• Contraceptive injection

  • Releases a hormone into the blood which prevents the release of eggs from the ovaries
  • Advantages: Useful for those who find it difficult to remember to take the pill daily, reduces heavy periods and period pain
  • Disadvantages: Side effects include headaches, mood swings, weight gain, chance of allergic reaction
• Diaphragm or cap


  • Barrier method placed inside the vagina during sexual intercourse to prevent sperm from entering the cervix
  • Advantages: Can be put in place before intercourse, convenient
  • Disadvantages: Does not protect against STIs, less effective than other methods
• Spermicides

  • Contains chemicals that kill sperm cells to prevent them from reaching the egg
  • Advantages: Easy to use, available over the counter
  • Disadvantages: Can cause irritation with repeated use, does not protect against STIs
• Contraceptive patch

  • Releases hormones through the skin to prevent the release of eggs from the ovaries
  • Advantages: Easy to use, can be used during sports, manage heavy and painful periods
  • Disadvantages: Can cause skin irritation, needs to be changed weekly
• Condoms

  • Designed to prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from meeting the egg
  • Advantages: Quick to use, protects against STIs for both partners
  • Disadvantages: Not 100% effective, can rip or tear if used incorrectly
• Contraceptive implant


  • Small plastic rod placed under the skin in the upper arm, releases hormone to stop eggs from being released from the ovaries
  • Advantages: Useful for those who find it difficult to remember to take daily contraception
• IUD/IUS (coil)


  1. IUD: Small plastic t-shaped copper device inserted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy for 5-10 years

  2. IUS: Small plastic t-shaped device releasing progesterone inserted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy for 3-5 years

  3. Good for long-term contraception

  4. IUS makes periods shorter, lighter, and less painful

  5. IUD may cause heavier and more painful periods

  6. Insertion can be painful

  7. Doesn't protect against STIs

  8. Risk of infection
• Contraceptive implant

  1. Small plastic rod placed under the skin in the upper arm releasing hormone to prevent egg release from ovaries

  2. Useful for those who find it difficult to remember to take the pill daily

  3. Effective for up to 3 years

  4. Can reduce heavy periods and period pain

  5. Insertion and removal can be painful

  6. Doesn't protect against STIs

  7. May cause heavy periods
• Condom use

  1. Effective method to protect both partners from STIs

  2. Not 100% effective even with perfect use and can rip or tear if used incorrectly
• Sterilisation

  1. Vasectomy for males and salpingectomy for females to permanently prevent pregnancy

  2. Quick operation, more than 99% effective

  3. Risk of infection

  4. Permanent, requires certainty about not wanting children in the future
• Natural planning/Abstinence

  1. Natural method not involving chemicals or barriers, relies on avoiding intercourse near or during ovulation

  2. Abstinence is not having sexual intercourse at all for 100% protection

  3. Accepted by all faiths and religions

  4. Less reliable if instructions aren't followed properly

  5. Doesn't protect against STIs