There are several good reasons or going to a family planning clinic to
get contraceptive advice. You will have to opportunity to talk to a medical
specialist about the wide range of methods on offer, and get to see, touch
and feel these products and discuss their use. In addition, some contraceptives,
male condoms for example, are available free.
This page contains a chart which highlights the major features of 12
methods of contraception. They are grouped under short-term methods (which can be stopped quickly or immediately) and long-term or permanent methods (which require time to be stopped or cannot be
reversed at all).
Type |
How it works |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Continueous Abstinence |
You will not have any sex play with a partner |
Prevents sexually transmitted infections No medical or hormonal side effects
|
- Many people find it difficult to abstain from sex play for long
periods of time
- Many people fail to use protection when abstinence ends
|
| Continuous Breast-feeding — LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea
Method) |
Female will breast-feed on demand for up to 6 months after delivery.
Baby will have no other foods. It prevents the ovaries from releasing
an egg. It can be effective for up to 6 months only IF a woman has
not had a period since the delivery, suckles at least 6 times a
day on both breasts (every four hours), and wakes baby for nighttime
breast-feedings.
|
For babies
- Provides the best nutrition
- Decreases the likelihood of infections, allergies, and possibly,
asthma
- Increases mother and child bonding
For mothers
- No medical or hormonal side effects
- Requires no supplies or medical supervision
|
- Only effective for 6 months after delivery
- It can be difficult to exclusively breast-feed
- not effective against sexually transmitted infections (use latex
or female condoms to reduce the risk)
|
| Outercourse |
Involves having sex play without vaginal intercourse. This will
keep sperm from joining egg |
- No medical or hormonal side effects
- May prolong sex play and enhance orgasm
- Can be used when no other methods are available
- Reduces the risk of many sexually transmitted infections —
unless body fluids are exchanged through unprotected oral or anal
intercourse. Latex or female condoms can reduce risk of infection.
|
- Many people find it difficult to abstain from vaginal intercourse
- Many people fail to use protection from pregnancy or infections
if intercourse takes place
- pregnancy is possible if sperm are spilled on the vulva
- STIs are possible if fluids are exchanged through unportected
oral or anal intercourse.
|
| Withdrawal |
The man will pull his penis out of the vagina before he “comes”
to keep sperm from joining egg. |
- can be used when no other method is available
|
- Pregnancy is possible if sperm are spilled on the vulva
- Not effective against sexually transmitted infections —
use latex or female condoms to reduce the risk
- Requires great self-control, experience, and trust
- Not for men who ejaculate — “come” —
prematurely
- Not for men who don’t know when to pull out
- Not recommended for teens
|
| Short-term Methods |
| Type |
How it works |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Male Condom |
A latex rubber sheath (about a 7th of a millimeter
thick) placed over the erect penis before intercourse. Stops sperm
from entering the woman's vagina. |
- Widely available.
- May protect both partners from STDs, including HIV/AIDS.
- May protect woman against cervical cancer.
- Man can take responsiblity for contraception.
|
- May intrude upon lovemaking.
- Needs to be used correctly to be effective.
- Unsuitable for men who cannot maintain a firm erection
|
| Female Condom |
A soft polyurethane sheath placed inside the vagina
before intercourse. Stops sperm from entering the vagina. |
- Can be put in any time before making love.
- May protect both partners from STDs, including HIV/AIDS.
- May protect woman against cervical cancer.
- The contraceptive is made of polyurethane so oil-based lubricants
can be used with it.
|
- May intrude upon lovemaking.
- Needs to be used correctly to be effective.
- May be unsuitable for women with poor vaginal muscle tone.
|
| Diaphragm or cap with spermicide |
A flexible latex rubber device used with spermicidal
cream and placed in the vagina before intercourse. Stops sperm reaching
the entrance of the womb (cervix). |
- Can be put in some time before making love.
- May offer protection against some STDs, but not HIV/AIDS.
- May protect woman against cervical cancer.
- In use, less conspicuous than the male or female condom
|
- May intrude upon lovemaking.
- Needs to be used correctly to be effective
- Can cause irritation or cystitis in some users. (check to glossary)
|
| Combined pill |
A pill the woman takes daily. Contains two hormones--oestrogen
and progestogen--that prevents ovulation (egg release). |
- Does not intrude upon lovemaking.
- Can make menstrual periods lighter, less painful and more regular.
- Offers some protection against cancer or the womb and ovary
and some pelvic infections.
|
- The combined pill is not suitable for some women (e.g. smokers
over 35 or those with a history of circulatory disease).
- May have side effects in some women
- Cannot be used when breastfeeding
- Offers no protection against STDs.
|
| Progestogen-only pill (POP) or mini-pill |
A pill the woman takes daily at the same time each
day. Contains the hormone progestongen. Causes changes that make
fertilization and implantation less likely. It may also prevent
ovulation. |
- Does not intrude upon lovemaking.
- Useful alternative for those who cannot take the combined pill
(e.g. smokers over 35 or those with a history of circulatory disease).
- Can be used when breastfeeding.
|
- May cause menstrual periods to be more irregular.
- May have side effects in some women.
- May be less effective in women who weigh more than 150 lbs or
70 kg.
- Offers no protection against STDs.
|
| Natural planning and contraceptive kits |
The times of ovulation are found by identifying
characteristic signs and symptoms or testing using a contraceptive
kit. Unprotected intercourse is avoided during fertile times. |
- No physical side effects.
- Can make both partners more aware of how the woman's body works.
- Can be used to plan pregnancy as well as avoid it.
- It is the only form of family planning that some cultures or
religions accept.
|
- To be effective, the method must be used very carefully and
with trainin gand commitment from both partners.
- Daily checks need to be made and records kept.
- At fertile times, sexual intercourse must be avoided or barrier
methods used.
- Offers no protection against STDs.
|
| The Patch (Orthovera®) |
User places a thin plastic patch on the skin of the buttocks,
stomach, upper outer arm, or upper torso once a week for three out
of four weeks. It releases combined hormones that protect against
pregnancy for one month. |
- Extremely effective in preventing pregnancy.
- Much easier for many women to use and remember
- Remains effective when a woman changes it at any time on her
weekly "patch change day."
- Can be worn on different parts of the body and remains attached
and effective while bathing, swimming, exercising or in humid
conditions.
- Thin enough to be worn discreetly beneath clothing.
|
- Does not provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
- Contains hormones similar to those found in birth control pills,
causing many of the same side effects.
- Seems to be less effective for women weighing over 198 pounds.
- Women who use the patch are strongly advised not to smoke, as
doing so can increase the risk of severe cardiovascular effects.
- Not recommended for women who have blood clots, certain cancers,
a history of heart attack or stroke, and those who are or may
be pregnant.
|
| The Ring (NuvaRing®) |
User inserts a small, flexible ring deep into the vagina. Insert
a new ring once a month for three out of four weeks. It releases
combined hormones that protect against pregnancy for one month |
- Protects against pregnancy for one month
- No pill to take daily
- Does not require a “fitting” by a clinician
- Does not require the use of spermicide
- Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use is stopped
|
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Vaginal irritation or infection
- Cannot use a diaphragm or cervical cap for a backup method of
birth control
|
| Long-term and Permanent Methods |
| Type |
How it works |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Contraceptive injection |
An injection that contains progestogen. The hormones
are slowly released from muscle tissue and prevents ovulation. It
may also cause changes that make fertilization and implatation less
likely. |
- Does not intrude upon lovemaking
- Provides effective contraception for 8-12 weeks.
- Useful alternative for those who cannot take the combined pill.
- Can be used when breastfeeding.
|
- May cause mentrual periods to beome more irregular.
- May have side effects in some women (e.g. casusing weight gain).
- Fertility may take time to return after injections are discontinued.
- Offers no protection against STDs.
|
| Implant(Norplant
has been discontinued) |
Flexible tubes that are implanted under the skin
and contain progestogen. They slowly release the hormone and cause
changes that make fertilization and implatation less likely. They
may also prevent ovulation. |
- Does not intrude upon lovemaking
- Provides effective contraception for a five-year span.
- Useful alternative for those who cannot take the combined pill.
- Can be used when breastfeeding
|
- May cause mentrual periods to become more irregular.
- May have side effects in some women (e.g. causing weight gain.)
- Offers no protection against STDs.
|
| IUD (intrauterine device) |
A small plastic and copper device placed
in the womb. It stops sperm and egg meeting or may stop implantation
(settlement of the egg in the lining of the womb after fertilization). |
- Does not intrude upon lovemaking
- Provides effective contraception for a five-year span.
- Once fitted, it offers immediate protection against pregnancy.
|
- May cause menstrual periods to be heavier, longer or more painful
in the first few months.
- Slightly increased risk of pelvic infection in those at high
risk of contracting STDs.
- Offers no protection against STDs.
|
| IUS (intrauterine system) |
A small, plastic progestogen-releasing device placed
in the womb. It stops sperm and egg meeting or may stop implantation
(settlement of the egg in the lining of the womb after fertilization). |
- Does not intrude upon lovemaking
- Provides effective contraception for at least three years.
- Once fitted, it offers immediate protection against pregnanc
|
- May cause irregular menstrual periods in the first few months.
- May have side effects in some women.
- Offers no protection against STDs
|
| Female sterilization |
The Fallopian tubes are cut or blocked. This prevents
eggs from traveling towards the uterus and so meeting the sperm.
It is a permanent method. |
- Does not intrude upon lovemaking
- It is a permanent method.
- Works following a few days' recovery after the operation.
|
- The method involves a small operation usually carried out under
a general anesthetic
- The method can not be readily reversed.
- Offers no protection against STDs.
|
| Male sterilization (vasectomy) |
The sperm-carrying tubes (sperm ducts) are cut so
that sperm are no longer present int he semen that the man ejaculates.
It is a permanent method. |
- Does not intrude upon lovemaking
- It is a permanent method.
- The operation is quick and simple and is carried out under local
anaesthetic.
|
- After a vasectomy it usually takes a few months for all the
sperm to disappear from the semen. In the meantime an alternative
method of contraception will be required.
- The method can not be readily reverved.
- Offers no protection against STDs
|
