Contraception
Integriti Women’s Health offers a wide assortment of contraception options, from IUD's (hormonal and non-hormonal), contraceptive pills, the contraceptive implant, emergency contraception, injections and more.
Not sure what option to choose?
We've developed a short test to help you quickly determine which methods of contraception are most suited to your particular circumstances.
Click on an option below for more information or take our test to help you determine which options are best suited to your needs.
- IUD (Intrauterine device) – Copper Coil
- IUS (Intrauterine system) – Mirena/Kyleena
- Contraceptive injections
- Combined pill (COC)
- Progestogen-only pill (POP)
- Contraceptive implant
- Contraceptive vaginal ring
- Contraceptive patch
- Emergency contraception
- Condoms (external – male, internal - female)
- Fertility awareness methods
- Permanent Contraception - Sterilisation
Contraception
Contraceptives are designed to prevent pregnancy. They work by stopping the male sperm from reaching the female’s egg. There is a variety of contraceptive methods available and they all work slightly differently. Most contraceptive methods do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases but barrier methods such as condoms do. With such choice available..... Read more in our blog...
IUD (Intrauterine Device) - Copper Coil
An IUD is a small plastic and copper device that is put into your uterus (womb). It has one or two thin threads on the end that hang through your cervix (the entrance to the uterus) into the top of your vagina.
An IUD works for contraception for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type. If you are aged 40 or older when the IUD is fitted, it will work for contraception until after the menopause, when contraception is not needed. An IUD is sometimes called a ‘coil’ or ‘copper coil’. There are different types and sizes.
Effectiveness: Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy - one of the most effective methods there is.
Fit and forget: Once you have got one, you do not need to remember to take or use contraception for at least 5 years.
Periods: May be heavier, longer, or more painful. This may improve after a few months.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: The IUD is hormone-free.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
IUS (Intrauterine system) - Mirena/Kyleena
An IUS is a small plastic device that is put into your uterus (womb) and releases a progestogen hormone. This is similar to the natural progesterone produced by the ovaries. The IUS works as contraception for three, four or five years depending on the type. There are different types and sizes with different amounts of the progestogen hormone. If you are aged over 45 when a particular type of IUS (Mirena) is fitted, it will work as contraception until after the menopause when contraception is no longer needed.
Effectiveness: Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy – one of the most effective methods there is.
Fit and forget: Once you have got one, you do not need to remember to take or use contraception. The IUS can work for 3, 4 or 5 years depending which type you get.
Periods: May be lighter, shorter, or less painful. May stop or become irregular.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: Releases the hormone progestogen.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
Contraceptive Injections
Contraceptive injections contain a progestogen hormone which is similar to the natural progesterone produced by the ovaries. There are different types of injection.
Effectiveness: The injection is most effective when used perfectly. It is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use and 94% effective with typical use.
Fit and forget: Once you have had an injection, you do not need to remember to take or use contraception for 3 months, but this can vary, dependent on which injection you are given.
Periods: Periods are likely to change. They may stop completely, or be lighter, irregular, heavier, or last longer.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: Contains one hormone – progestogen.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
Combined Pill (COC)
The combined pill is usually just called the pill. It contains two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the natural hormones produced by the ovaries. There are different types of combined pill and different ways to take it.
Effectiveness: The pill is most effective when used perfectly. It is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use and 91% effective with typical use.
Remember regularly: You have to take the pill every day at around the same time.
Periods: Depending on how you take the combined pill, it may make periods more regular, lighter, and less painful, or your periods may stop all together. May also help with premenstrual symptoms.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: Contains two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
Progestogen-Only Pill (POP)
Progestogen-only pills (POPs) contain a progestogen hormone. This is similar to the natural progesterone produced by the ovaries. Different POPs contain different types of progestogen. If you are not sure what type of progestogen is in your POP, check the patient information leaflet inside your pack or ask your doctor or nurse. POPs are different to combined pills because they don’t contain the hormone oestrogen.
Effectiveness: The POP is most effective when used perfectly. It is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use and 91% effective with typical use.
Remember regularly: You have to take the pill every day at the same time.
Periods: May become irregular, stop, or last longer. The POP may help with heavy, painful periods.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: Contains the hormone progestogen.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
Contraceptive Implant
A contraceptive implant is a small, flexible rod that is placed just under your skin in your upper arm. It releases a progestogen hormone similar to the natural progesterone produced by the ovaries. It works for three years.
Effectiveness: Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy - one of the most effective methods there is.
Fit and forget: Once you have got one, you do not need to remember to take or use contraception for 3 years.
Periods: May be irregular, stop or last longer.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: Yes. The implant releases the hormone progestogen.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
Contraceptive Vaginal Ring
The contraceptive vaginal ring is a flexible, transparent plastic ring. It is placed in the vagina where it releases two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the natural hormones produced by the ovaries and are like those used in the combined pill.
Effectiveness: The ring is most effective when used perfectly. It is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use and 91% effective with typical use.
Remember regularly: You have to take the old ring out and put a new one in every month.
Periods: Depending on how you take the contraceptive vaginal ring, it may make periods more regular, lighter, and less painful, or your periods may stop all together. May also help with premenstrual symptoms.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: Contains two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
Contraceptive Patch
The contraceptive patch is a small, thin, beige coloured patch, nearly 5cm x 5cm in size.
You stick it on your skin, and it releases two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the natural hormones produced by the ovaries and are like those used in the combined pill.
Effectiveness: The patch is most effective when used perfectly. It is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use and 91% effective with typical use.
Remember regularly: You have to change the patch once a week.
Periods: Depending on how you use the patch, it may make periods more regular, lighter, and less painful, or your periods may stop all together. May also help with premenstrual symptoms.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: Yes
Emergency Contraception
If you have had unprotected sex, that is, sex without using contraception, or think your contraception might have failed, you can use emergency contraception.
There are different types of emergency contraception:
- The emergency intrauterine device (IUD).
- An emergency contraceptive pill with the active ingredient ulipristal acetate (UPA).
- An emergency contraceptive pill with the hormone levonorgestrel. There are different brands.
Emergency contraception can be highly effective, but it is not as effective as using other methods of contraception regularly.
The emergency IUD is the most effective emergency contraception and needs to be fitted within 5 days of sex in order to work.
An emergency contraceptive pill needs to be taken as soon as possible after sex to have the best chance of working.
In order to help you the relevant integriti GP will need to speak to you as soon as possible (as explained in the time constraints above). Please contact the relevant GP and their clinic as soon as you can.
Condoms (external male, internal-female)
External (male) and internal (female) condoms are barrier methods of contraception. They stop sperm meeting an egg. An external condom fits over an erect penis and is made of very thin latex (rubber), polyurethane (plastic) or polyisoprene. An internal condom is made of polyurethane (soft plastic) or nitrile polymer (synthetic rubber). It is put in the vagina and loosely lines it.
Effectiveness: External condoms are most effective when used perfectly. They are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use and 82% effective with typical use. Internal condoms are most effective when used perfectly. They are 95% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use and 79% effective with typical use.
Remember before sex: Use a new condom each time you have sex. You can insert in advance if you want to.
Periods: Condoms will not alter your periods.
STI protection: Yes. External condoms and internal condoms are the only methods of contraception that help protect you from STI's.
Hormones: No hormones.
Please download leaflet for further information.
Fertility Awareness Methods
Fertility awareness involves being able to identify the signs and symptoms of fertility during the menstrual cycle so you can plan or avoid pregnancy.
This information is about using fertility awareness methods as contraception to help you avoid getting pregnant. Using fertility awareness methods for contraception is also known as natural family planning.
Effectiveness: Fertility awareness methods (FAM) are most effective when used perfectly, according to teaching and instructions, and when more than one fertility indicator is used. FAM can be up to 99 % effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use but is less effective 76% with typical use.
Remember regularly: You'll need to keep records and avoid sex or use another method of contraception on fertile days.
Periods: Fertility awareness methods will not alter your periods and can help you get to know your cycle better.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: No hormones.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
Permanent Contraception - Sterilisation
Sterilisation is a permanent method of contraception, for people who do not want more children, or any children. It works by stopping sperm from meeting an egg.
Male sterilisation (vasectomy) is done by cutting and sealing or tying the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the penis).
Female sterilisation (tubal occlusion) is done by cutting, sealing, or blocking the fallopian tubes which carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus (womb).
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is as effective as sterilisation but reversible.
Effectiveness: Vasectomy (male sterilisation) and tubal occlusion (female sterilisation) are both over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Fit and forget: After a successful procedure, you do not have to think about or use contraception again. But sterilisation is rarely reversible, so do not choose this option unless you are absolutely certain you do not want any children in the future.
Periods: Sterilisation does not affect periods.
STI protection: No.
Hormones: No hormones.
Please download the leaflet for further information.
Click on an option below for more information or take our test to help you determine which options are best suited to your needs.
- IUD (Intrauterine device) – Copper Coil
- IUS (Intrauterine system) – Mirena/Kyleena
- Contraceptive injections
- Combined pill (COC)
- Progestogen-only pill (POP)
- Contraceptive implant
- Contraceptive vaginal ring
- Contraceptive patch
- Emergency contraception
- Condoms (external – male, internal - female)
- Fertility awareness methods
- Permanent Contraception - Sterilisation
Not sure what option to choose?
We've developed a short test to help you quickly determine which methods of contraception are most suited to your particular circumstances.
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