Contraception

CONTRACEPTION
Choices
CHOOSE THE METHOD THAT SUITS
YOU!
 Themethod you choose will depend on a range of
factors:
 General health
 Lifestyle and relationships,
 Risk of contracting a sexually transmissible infection
(STI)
 How important it is that you don’t become pregnant.
PROTECT AGAINST STIS
 It is important to practice safe sex as well as to protect
yourself against pregnancy.
 Not all methods of contraception provide protection against

STIs.
 The best way to reduce your risk of STIs is to use barrier

protection such as male and female condoms and dams (a
thin piece of latex placed over the anal or vulval area during
oral sex).
 Condoms can be used for oral, vaginal and anal sex to help
prevent the spread of infections.
PHYSICAL BARRIER METHODS
 Barriermethods can be very effective
if used correctly.
 However, they can have high failure

rates if they are not used consistently
and correctly.
MALE CONDOM
 This is a latex (or polyurethane) sheath that covers the
erect penis and prevents semen entering the vagina.
 This is an effective (98 per cent) form of contraception
when used correctly!!
 This means using a new condom every time you have sex
and putting it on before there is any contact between the
penis and vagina.
 Male condoms are relatively cheap and are available over
the counter from supermarkets, pharmacies and sexual
health clinics.
FEMALE CONDOM
 This is a loose polyurethane sheath with a flexible ring at
each end that sits in the vagina and collects semen.
 It can be inserted several hours before intercourse and is

stronger than the male latex condom, though insertion
and use may take some practice.
 If you use a female condom correctly every time you

have sex, they are 95 per cent effective.
 Female condoms are available from Family Planning

DIAPHRAGM
 This is a soft, shallow rubber dome that fits in the vagina, covers the
cervix and stops sperm from entering the uterus.
 The diaphragm must stay in place for at least six hours after
intercourse and is 94 per cent effective if used, fitted and positioned
correctly.
 Diaphragms must be fitted by a suitably trained doctor or nurse.
 They may decrease the risk of STIs, but should not be relied on for
this purpose.
INTRAUTERINE DEVICES (IUD)
 An IUD,is a small plastic device with added copper or hormones (Mirena)
which is inserted into your uterus by a doctor.
 It can stay in the uterus for five to ten years and can easily be removed earlier
if you want to become pregnant or are having problems. Both types of IUD are
more than 99 per cent effective.
 They work by changing the lining and environment of the uterus.
 If any sperm survive and fertilise an egg, the egg is unable to stick to the wall
of the uterus, preventing a pregnancy from continuing.
 Do not protect against STI’s

COMBINED PILL
 This is made up of synthetic forms of the hormones
oestrogen and progesterone (99.7% effective when
used correctly).
 The combined pill prevents ovulation, thickens

cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to enter
the uterus and changes the lining of the uterus to
make it less suitable for a fertilised egg to stick.
 There are many types of combined pills with

different dose and hormone combinations.
 Health risks can occur
 Doesn’t protect against STI

MINI PILL
 This contains only a synthetic form of the
hormone progesterone.
 It makes the cervical mucus thicker,

which prevents sperm from entering the
uterus.
 The mini pill must be taken every day at

the same time and is not as effective as
the combined pill.
 It’s usually suitable for women who

either experience side effects from
oestrogen.
VAGINAL RING
 This contains similar hormones to the
combined pill and works in the same way.
 A ‘one size fits all’ ring is inserted into the

vagina and stays in place for three weeks.
 During that time, it slowly releases

hormones that pass from the vagina into
the bloodstream.
 It’s then removed and a new ring is

inserted a week later.
HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES –
IMPLANTS AND INJECTIONS
 Hormonal contraceptives for
women are also available as
implants and injections.
 These methods are more effective

than other hormonal methods,
but may produce side effects and
don’t protect against STIs.
 Male injectable contraceptives are

currently being trialled.
IMPLANON
 This is a hormone implant that is inserted under the
skin at the inner side of the upper arm.
 It contains etonogestrel, a progesterone-like

hormone that prevents ovulation and hinders sperm
from entering the cervix by changing cervical mucus.
 Implanon lasts for three years, is close to 100 per

cent effective and is suitable for most women who
can’t tolerate synthetic oestrogens.
 The device is inserted by a doctor under local

anaesthetic.
DPMA INJECTIONS (DEPO-PROVERA/DEPO-
RALOVERA)
 These are long-acting (12 to 14 weeks) injectable contraceptives
containing the hormone progestogen.
 They prevent ovulation, block sperm by thickening the mucus made by the
cervix and cause changes in the lining of the uterus to make it unsuitable
for a fertilised egg to stick.
 DPMA injections are highly effective and provide a very private method of
contraception.
STERILISATION
 Sterilisationis a permanent surgical procedure that
requires referral to a specialist.
 Femaleand male sterilisation are highly effective

methods of contraception, but don’t protect against
STIs.
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
 Sometimes it is necessary to prevent pregnancy after sex, rather than before:

for example, when a pill is forgotten or a condom breaks, or in the case of rape.
 Emergency contraception, also known as the ‘morning after pill’, prevents or

delays ovulation in that cycle. (Available at most chemists) It may also stop a
fertilised egg from sticking to the wall of the uterus.
 Emergency contraception is best used within 72 hours of unprotected sex – the

sooner within the 72 hours it is taken, the more effective it is.
 It can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, but will be less effective.
 It prevents 85 per cent of pregnancies that would have otherwise occurred.

OTHER METHODS
 Abstinence: “Saying No” – not having sex in the first
place is the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancy
and STI’s. 100% effective
 Withdrawal: “Coitus interruptus” Removing the penis

before ejaculation to prevent semen entering the
vagina. Does NOT prevent STI. 70% effective
 Natural: Women determine the fertile phase of their

menstrual cycle and avoid intercourse around those
days. No STI prevention. 70% effective
MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION
http://
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/
bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Contraception
_choices_explained

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CONTRACEPTION

 Not all methods of contraception provide protection against

 The best way to reduce your risk of STIs is to use barrier

 However, they can have high failure

 It can be inserted several hours before intercourse and is

 If you use a female condom correctly every time you

 Female condoms are available from Family Planning

 Diaphragms must be fitted by a suitably trained doctor or nurse.

 They work by changing the lining and environment of the uterus.

 Do not protect against STI’s

 The combined pill prevents ovulation, thickens

 There are many types of combined pills with

 Health risks can occur

 Doesn’t protect against STI

 It makes the cervical mucus thicker,

 The mini pill must be taken every day at

 It’s usually suitable for women who

 A ‘one size fits all’ ring is inserted into the

 During that time, it slowly releases

 It’s then removed and a new ring is

 These methods are more effective

 Male injectable contraceptives are

 It contains etonogestrel, a progesterone-like

 Implanon lasts for three years, is close to 100 per

 The device is inserted by a doctor under local

 Femaleand male sterilisation are highly effective

 Sometimes it is necessary to prevent pregnancy after sex, rather than before:

 Emergency contraception, also known as the ‘morning after pill’, prevents or

 Emergency contraception is best used within 72 hours of unprotected sex – the

 It prevents 85 per cent of pregnancies that would have otherwise occurred.

 Withdrawal: “Coitus interruptus” Removing the penis

 Natural: Women determine the fertile phase of their

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