Contraception aims to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
Several types of contraception exist and you can choose the type most suited to you and your situation during your consultation with your medical professional
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Hormonal contraception: otherwise known as ‘the pill’.
here are several different types:
- combined oestrogen and progestin contraceptives mimic the body’s natural hormones. They come in different doses and with advice from your health care professional you choose the one most appropriate to your specific situation (age, smoker or non smoker, family or personal medical history of thrombosis (phlebitis)). 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation pills now exist and vary according to the amount of progestin. Like all medication, this type of contraception has side effects that vary depending on the woman. The main one is an increased risk of vascular problems such as phlebitis and venal or arterial thrombosis in women who smoke. This is why it is absolutely necessary to meet with your health care professional in order to assess any potential risks and weigh up the pros and cons of each pill. These assessments are often accompanied by a full blood test
- progestin only contraceptives come in varying doses of progestin. These are called POP (Progestin only pills) or mini pills.
- contraceptives used directly after sexual intercourse- commonly called the morning after pill. These are essentially progestin-based contraceptives and should only be used in an emergency. If you are having intercourse regularly it is preferable to have a long-term system of birth control.
- Contraceptive devices:
- Condoms, which in addition protect from most sexually transmitted diseases but which are not completely failsafe as they may tear, split, or become dislodged…
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs) act as a barrier that you place in the womb. They prevent fertilization and implantation. There are two types of these devices:
- Copper IUDs
- Hormone releasing IUDs (progesterones, levonorgestrel)
- Mirena, which lasts for up to 5 years
- Jaydess, which is smaller and lasts for up to 3 years
- Contraceptive diaphragms are a type of thin dome made of latex or silicone and form a barrier through the cervix. Care must be taken when you put in or take out a diaphragm.
- Chemical contraceptives. Spermicidal creams can be used before intercourse although they are not as effective as other types of contraception.
- Irreversible contraception. This is tubal sterilization or ligation, which is permanent and irreversible. The procedure used is called ESSURE® and is carried out inside the body’s natural channels.
