It is over 99% effective (which means that less than 1 in 100 women using this form of contraception for a year would become pregnant).
The injection releases protestogen hormone very slowly into the body, which stops the lady from ovulating and thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm meeting an egg.
A small injection (typically into the buttocks) is given every 12 weeks.
One great advantage is not needing to remember to take a pill on a daily basis - you only need to make an appointment with the Practice Nurse every 12 weeks.
It is important to realise that over the first 3-6 months periods are often quite irregular. However, following this periods typically become less frequent and often stop completely - this is no cause for alarm.
The contraception injection is usually well tolerated, although some women experience headaches, breast tenderness, mood swings and bloating.
It may also increase your appetite, resulting in mild weight gain.
Although the contraceptive injection in no way reduces fertility, it may take up to a year after stopping injections for your periods to return to normal - therefore it should not be used as short-term contraception.
When taken according to the manufactuer’s instructions, the combined pill is over 99% effective.
It contains the female hormones oestrogen and progestogen which stop a woman releasing an egg each month.
As well as being an effective contraceptive, the combined pill can be very effective in treating the pre-menstrual syndrome and heavy or painful periods.
The combined pill is usually taken for 21 days each month followed by a 7 day break when the period will usually occur.
Although the combined pill is a very popular method, if pills are taken over 12 hours late, the effectiveness can be lost. It is important to read the manufacturer’s leaflet carefully.
Similarly vomiting/diarrhoeal illnesses can interfere with its action as can several prescription and herbal (eg. St. John’s Wort) medications.
Healthy non-smokers can generally use the combined pill up to the menopause.
However, the combined pill is not suitable for all women. Some women develop mild side-effects similar to those with the contraceptive injection. Rare but serious side effects may include blood clots (deep vein thrombosis). It is not suitable for smokers in their late 30s or older.
This too is 99% effective when taken according to the instructions.
The Mini-pill is taken at the same time every day on a continuous daily basis and contains the hormone progestogen which produces changes in the womb making it difficult for sperm to fertilise an egg.
Compared to the combined pill, the mini-pill loses its effectiveness if it is taken (only) more than 3 hours or more late. For this reason it tends to be used as a second line method eg, in older ladies who smoke and who therefore cannot use the combined pill. It can also be safely used when breast feeding (in contrast to the combined pill).
Some ladies develop mild side-effects similar to those with the contraceptive injection.
This is 98%-99% effective.
It consists of a small plastic and copper device which is inserted through the cervix into the womb and works by preventing an egg being fertilised or settling into the womb lining.
Insertion of a coil is a minor procedure which does not require an anaesthetic and is similar to having a smear taken.
The coil is an effective contraceptive which can safely stay in the body for 3-10 years, depending on the type, although it can be removed at any time.
It has the big advantage therefore of not needing to remember to take tablets/have injections, etc, as long as it is in place.
However, periods may become heavier and more painful with a coil in place.
This is over 99% effective.
It is similar to a coil (IUD) but in addition it releases progestogen into the womb very slowly.
It lasts for 5 years although it can be removed at any time.
In contrast to the IUD, a Mirena coil tends to make periods much lighter and shorter - it has significantly reduced the number of ladies requiring a hysterectomy for period problems.
For this reason it is increasingly being used in preference to the IUD.
When used according to instructions, these can be 98% effective.
However, the main advantage of condoms is their protection of both partners from sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
It is very important to use them correctly - the condom must be put on to the penis before it touches the woman’s vagina and the man needs to withdraw as soon as he has ejaculated, being careful not to spill any semen.
Oil based products should not be used with latex condoms as they can damage them. However, these can safely be used with polyurethane condoms.
These are between 92-96% effective.
A flexible rubber/silicone device covered with spermicide is inserted into the vagina to cover the neck of the womb prior to intercourse and must be left in place for at least 6 hours after sex.
Diaphragms/caps are a popular choice for some ladies, eg, those who may either not wish, or be unable to take, hormonal forms of contraception and who do not wish to have a coil inserted.
They need to be specially fitted to ensure the correct size is being used and need to be checked annually.
Female sterilisation is over 99% effective with a lifetime failure rate of about 1 in 200.
It is a permanent method of contraception in which the fallopian tubes, down which the eggs travel from the ovary to the womb, are cut or blocked.
The operation is typically done under a general anaesthetic as a Day Case procedure in hospital.
As this is a permanent method which is irreversible, it should only be performed when there is no doubt in the decision that a family is complete.
This too is over 99% effective - the lifetime failure rate is even less (about 1 in 2,000).
Similar to female sterilisation, vasectomy involves a permanent cut in the tubes carrying the sperm from the testes.
This is a minor operation which takes typically 20 minutes and is usually done under a local anaesthetic either in hospital or in some GP surgeries.
As it usually takes a couple of months for all the sperm to disappear from the semen, contraception must be used during this time until 2 negative semen tests in which no sperm are seen have been produced.
The permanence of this procedure means that it should only be undertaken in similar circumstances to female sterilisation.
Many men are concerned that having a vasectomy will in some way reduce their sexual drive - this is not the case. A man who has had a vasectomy ejaculates ('comes') in the same way as one who has not .
As you have seen, there are many different methods of contraception.
Not all methods will necessarily be suitable for you.
If you wish to discuss this further, please make an appointment with a practice nurse (all of whom have been trained in sexual health matters) or doctor.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice or substituted for professional advice. Always consult your doctor with your questions and concerns.
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