Contraceptive Implant

Contraceptive Pat ch

Contraceptive Injection

Diaphragm

COILS

(IUD's Inter Uterine Devices)

COILS (IUD's - Inter Uterine Devices)

• A tiny little plastic and stringy device inserted into the neck of the womb to stop any eggs from settling into the lining of the womb.
• It’s nearly impossible to get pregnant with an IUD in place. But it has to be fitted by a specially trained doctor (usually at a Family Planning Clinic/Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic)
• Having it fitted can be uncomfortable. Most people, when possible, prefer to use emergency pills.
• Also available is the intrauterine contraceptive implant, which consists of copper beads threaded on to a length of nylon, which is attached to the top of the womb.
• The IUD stops sperm meeting an egg, or may stop an egg implanting in the womb.
• 98-99% effective depending on the type of IUD. This means that between 1 and 2 women in every 100 women who use an IUD will get pregnant each year.

Advantages

• Does not interrupt sex.
• Works immediately.
• Works for between 3-10 years depending on the type of IUD fitted.

Disadvantages

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Periods may be heavier, more painful or last longer.
• If it fails, there is a risk that a pregnancy will develop in the fallopian tube (known as an ectopic pregnancy).

What makes it less effective?

• If the IUD moves out of place it will be less effective. Regular check-ups are important.
• Can anyone use this method?
• The IUD is not suitable for all women. A doctor or nurse will need to know about a woman's medical history and any illnesses suffered by immediate members of her family, to find out if there are any medical reasons why it might not be suitable.

The Contraceptive patch

The contraceptive patch, also called Evra, is a small beige patch applied to the skin like a sticky plaster, which protects against pregnancy. The patch releases two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen into the bloodstream through the skin. Like the combined pill it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg for fertilisation every month. It also thickens the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to get into the womb. Patches can be worn discreetly on most areas of the body, including the upper arm, shoulder or buttocks, but should not be applied to the breasts or to broken or irritated skin. The patch provides protection from pregnancy straight away only if started on the first day of your period and worn continuously for seven days. On the eighth day it should be changed, by removing it, throwing it away carefully and immediately putting on a new one. The patch should be changed every week for three weeks.

After three weeks you don’t wear a patch for seven days. During the patch-free week you may bleed as in a normal period. After seven patch-free days a new one is applied and the four week cycle of three weeks with a patch, one week without starts again. The patch is 99% effective when used properly. This means that one in every 100 women who use the patch get pregnant every year. It is less effective if not used according to the instructions.# The contraceptive patch is not suitable for all women. A doctor or nurse will need to know about a woman's medical history and any illnesses suffered by immediate members of her family to find out if there are any medical reasons why it might not be suitable.

Advantages

• Does not interrupt sex.
• Can be worn while swimming, having a bath or exercising.
• Women do not have to remember to take a pill.

Disadvantages

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Can cause headaches and skin problems.
• Contains the same hormones as the combined pill, which in a small number of women can cause serious side effects such as blood clots and breast cancer.

What makes it less effective?

• Forgetting to change the patch after seven days.
• If the patch falls off and is not reapplied or if a new one is not put on immediately.
• Use of some prescription medicines including some antibiotics, medicines used to treat epilepsy, HIV and TB and the complementary medicine St John’s Wort.

Contraceptive Implant

• A small flexible rod containing the hormone progestogen. It is inserted under the skin, usually on the upper part of the arm, and will last for up to three years.
• The hormone progestogen stops ovulation (release of an egg) and thickens the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to get into the womb.
• The implant is 99% effective. This means that 1 in 100 women who use implants will get pregnant each year.
• The implant is not suitable for all women. A doctor or nurse will need to know about a woman's medical history and any illnesses suffered by immediate members of her family, to find out if there are any medical reasons why it might not be suitable.

Advantages

• Does not interrupt sex.
• Works for up to three years.
• Fertility returns immediately implant is removed.

Disadvantages

• Can cause headaches and skin problems.
• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Periods may be irregular or stop altogether.

What makes it less effective?

• Some prescribed and complementary medicines.

Contraceptive Injection

• An injection containing the hormone progestogen. There are two types of injectable contraceptive - Depo-Provera which lasts for 12 weeks, and Noristerat which lasts for eight weeks.
• The hormone progestogen stops ovulation (release of an egg) and thickens the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to get into the womb.
• Injectable contraception is 99% effective. This means that 1 in every 100 women who use the injection will get pregnant each year.
• The contraceptive injection is not suitable for all women. A doctor or nurse will need to know about a woman's medical history and any illnesses suffered by immediate members of her family, to find out if there are any medical reasons why it might not be suitable. If you are thinking of using Depo-Provera, it is important that you also know about all the other choices of contraception first to see if another method might be more suitable for you.

Advantages

• Does not interrupt sex.
• Women do not have to remember to take a pill.
• May protect against cancer of the womb.

Disadvantages

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Periods may be irregular or stop altogether.
• Can cause headaches and skin problems.
• Can take a year or more after stopping the injection for regular periods to return.
• As the hormone is injected into the body, any side effects may continue for as long as the injection lasts, and sometimes longer.
• Depo-Provera works by lowering levels of the female hormone oestrogen and this can cause slight thinning of the bones by reducing bone mineral density.

What makes it less effective?

• Some prescribed and complementary medicines.
• Follow-up injections must be given on time.

Diaphragm

• The diaphragm is commonly known as the 'cap'.
• It is a dome of soft rubber that fits over the cervix inside the vagina. This forms a barrier, preventing the sperm coming into contact with the cervix.
• It must be inserted 2 hours before sex but should not be removed for at least 6 hours after intercourse has taken place.
• Must be removed within 24 hours.
• The diaphragm is ineffective if not used together with a spermicide (a chemical that kills sperm).

Advantages

• It is 95% effective.
• It is suitable for most women.

Disadvantages

• Some women are allergic to spermicide.
• Not easily obtained.

Oral / Dental Dams

Oral / Dentals Dams are not a form of contraception (they will not stop you getting pregnant). They are only used to help prevent people contracting STIs (sexually transmitted infections) during oral sex.

• Dental dams are small, thin, square pieces of latex that are used for oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex.
• They get their name from their use in dental procedures.
• Dental dams help to reduce the transmission of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) during oral sex by acting as a barrier to vaginal and anal secretions that contain bacteria and viruses.
• They come in a variety of sizes and flavours
• Because dental dams act as a barrier to bodily fluids, they help reduce STI transmission. Many STIs, such as herpes, genital warts and HIV, can be transmitted through oral sex.
• Like condoms, dental dams must be used correctly and consistently in order to be effective.
• The dam should be placed over the entire vulva during oral sex to prevent the possible transmission of the HIV virus from the vagina to the mouth or the mouth to the vagina.
• Always rinse the dam first to remove the powdery talc which should never enter the vagina or anus. Pat it dry with a towel, or let it air dry ahead of time.
• Never share the same dam. Never reuse one, and always use separate dams if you are practicing both oral-vaginal and oral-anal sex, because anal organisms can cause infection in the vagina.