Contraception choices

What is contraception? The contraceptive implant Implanon NXT is

inserted directly under the skin, on the
Contraception means prevention of pregnancy. inner arm above the elbow, where it
continuously releases a low dose of a
There are a number of different methods and it is progestogen hormone into the blood
important to choose one that best meets your needs stream over a 3 year timeframe.
and circumstances.
The implant works by preventing
Considerations when choosing contraception should ovulation (egg release from the ovary). Devices need to
include accurate information about: be replaced every 3 years or can be removed earlier if
required. Using an implant will change a womans usual
effectiveness in pregnancy prevention bleeding pattern for some women this will mean little or
health issues which may limit some choices no bleeding at all but about 1 in 5 women have irregular
ease of use or persistent bleeding. Implants are 99.9% effective.
side effects including changes to usual periods
benefits other than contraception Contraceptive injections: Depot
cost and availability medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is given by an
reversibility injection into a muscle every 12 weeks.
protection against sexually transmissible infections It prevents pregnancy by stopping
(STIs) ovulation. Periods may stop while
using DMPA and there may be a short
The most effective reversible methods are the delay in return to usual fertility.
fit and forget long-acting reversible contraceptives DMPA is 94-99.8% effective.
(LARCs) intrauterine devices (IUDs) and
contraceptive implants. Visit www.shfpa.org.au for more information.

IUDs and implants: Shorter acting hormonal methods include the

are suitable for women of any age contraceptive vaginal ring NuvaRing; the
can be used by most women, even if they have Combined oral contraceptive pill (The Pill) and the
any significant health issues Progestogen-only contraceptive pill (mini pill).
can be removed easily at any time by a trained
health professional and are immediately A regular prescription is needed for hormonal methods of
reversible on removal. contraception. None of these methods provide protection
involve an insertion and removal procedure by a against STIs. Some women cant use the combined pill
doctor or nurse or ring because of health conditions or side effects.
provide no protection against STIs All three methods are 91-99.7% effective.

IUDs include a hormone releasing device or copper The contraceptive vaginal ring
devices. NuvaRing is a soft plastic ring which
slowly releases low doses of two
The hormonal IUD Mirena is a small T-shaped hormones, oestrogen and a progestogen.
device that is fitted inside the uterus These hormones are like those used in
(womb). Over a 5 year timeframe, the combined oral contraceptive (the
it slowly releases a very low dose of Pill). The ring is self-inserted and remains in the vagina
progestogen hormone into the uterus. for three weeks and then removed and replaced with the
Periods usually become lighter or may next ring a week later.
stop when using a hormonal IUD.
The hormonal IUD is 99.8% effective. Combined oral contraceptive pill (the
COC Pill) commonly referred to as The
The Copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) is a small Pill, is an oral contraceptive taken daily.
device made from plastic and copper It contains the hormones oestrogen and
that is fitted inside the uterus. They a progestogen. These hormones are similar to those
stop sperm from reaching the egg and naturally produced by the female body. The pill may help
any fertilised egg from sticking to the with acne or heavy periods. Pills rely on regular and
wall of the uterus. They have no consistent daily use to be effective.
hormones and therefore have no effect
on the normal female cycle but periods Progestogen-only contraceptive pill
may become heavier when using a (POP) sometimes referred to as The
copper IUD. Cu-IUDs are 99.2% Mini-Pill is an oral contraceptive taken
effective. daily. It contains a low dose of
progestogen, similar to those naturally
IUDs need to be replaced every 5-10 years depending produced by the female body. The POP can be used by
on their type or can be removed easily at any time. most women, even if they have any significant health
issues. Pills rely on regular and consistent daily use to be
effective.
Barrier methods are condoms and the diaphragm. Emergency contraception (EC) can reduce the risk of
They prevent semen from entering the uterus and unintended pregnancy after unprotected sex.
can be an effective method of contraception when EC is not a method of regular contraception. Using a
used consistently and correctly. reliable form of contraception is the best ongoing
protection against unplanned pregnancy.
Condoms are the only method that offers protection
from both unintended pregnancy and STIs. There are two types of EC the emergency
contraception pill (ECP), a pill containing a progestogen
The male condom is a sheath made of latex or hormone and the Cu-IUD.
polyurethane, which is rolled onto the erect penis before
sex. The male condom is 82-98% effective for pregnancy The ECP can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected
prevention and consistent use is very sex but it is most effective if taken in the
important if they are the sole method of first 24 hours. When taken in the first 72
contraception. Condoms can be used in hours (3 days), it prevents about 85% of
conjunction with other methods to expected pregnancies.
increase contraceptive effectiveness.
Visit www.shfpa.org.au for more information.
The female condom is a polyurethane
sheath, which is inserted into the vagina before sex. It A copper intrauterine contraceptive device (Cu-IUD)
has two flexible rings to keep it in place in the vagina. can also be used as EC. When inserted
The female condom is 79-95% effective. in the first 120 hours (5 days) after sex,
it prevents about 99% of expected
The diaphragm is a soft, dome-shaped silicone cap with pregnancies. A Cu-IUD then provides
a flexible rim, which is placed in the immediate and ongoing contraception.
vagina before sex to cover the cervix
and stop sperm getting into the uterus. Permanent contraception (sterilisation) for men or
A diaphragm should be fitted for the women involves a small operation by a surgical
right size by a doctor or nurse and doctor with general or local anaesthesia
instructions provided on how to use it.
The diaphragm is 88-94% effective. Sterilisation is permanent contraception which cant be
reversed. Sterilisation methods are 99.5% effective.
Other methods include: Lactational amenorrhoea
method (LAM), Fertility awareness based methods Female sterilisation (tubal ligation) involves an
(FABMs) and withdrawal. In typical use these are operation blocking the Fallopian tubes to stop the
less effective than other methods. passage of the ovum (egg). It is usually performed with a
general anaesthetic.
LAM is the use of breastfeeding as a contraceptive
method. Breastfeeding reduces the probability of Male sterilisation (vasectomy) involves an operation on
ovulation (egg release) occurring, therefore reducing the the vas deferens to prevent sperm formed in the testes
chance of a pregnancy. from joining the ejaculate fluid. It can be performed under
LAM is 98% effective when all 3 criteria are met: local anaesthetic, often with light sedation.
menstrual periods have not returned
gave birth less than 6 months ago This factsheet gives an overview of the various
fully breastfeeding ( not feeding the baby with any methods available in Australia. Detailed information
food or milk supplements) about all of these methods is available on the
websites and at the clinics of the sexual health and
FABMs do not rely on the use of hormones or devices. family planning organisations listed below.
FABMs include any method based on the identification of
the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle to indicate when
sexual intercourse should be avoided to prevent
pregnancy. FABMs are 75-99.6% effective and require
specific education from experts in this field.

Withdrawal is where the man takes his penis out Sexual Health & Family Planning Australia
(withdraws) from the womans vagina before he Disclaimer
Sexual Health & Family Planning Australia has taken every care to
ejaculates (comes). It is also known as coitus interruptus. ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate
Withdrawal is 78-97% effective and is not recommended and up-to-date at the time of being published. As information and
as a reliable form of contraception. knowledge is constantly changing, readers are strongly advised to
confirm that the information complies with present research,
legislation and policy guidelines. SHFPA accepts no responsibility
for difficulties that may arise as a result of an individual acting on
this information and any recommendations it contains.
Version 1/May13