THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF

CONTRACEPTION
CAP

The contraceptive cap is a circular dome made of thin, soft silicone. It's
inserted into the vagina before sex, and covers the cervix so that sperm
cannot get into the womb. You need to use spermicide with it (spermicide
kills sperm). Spermicide comes as gel, creams, foams and pessaries. The
cap must be left in place for 6 hours after sex. After that time, you take
out the cap and wash it. Caps are reusable. Some brands come in different
sizes. They're designed so that you can choose the best one for yourself.

There are 2 types of cap available just now, Femcap and Caya. Femcap
comes in 3 sizes. The size you use depends on whether you've been
pregnant before. Caya comes in one size. Femcap and Caya are designed
so you can fit them yourself.
There aren't many high-quality studies of caps. It's generally thought that
when used correctly with spermicide, the cap is 92 to 96% effective at
preventing pregnancy. This means that between 4 and 8 women out of
every 100 who use a cap as contraception will become pregnant in a year.
In real world use at least 12 women in 100 a year become pregnant
because people forget to use the cap or don't put it in properly (88%
effective).

COMBINED PILLS
The combined oral contraceptive pill is usually known as the pill. It
contains synthetic female hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. The
hormones in the pill mimic the ones made naturally in the ovaries.
The hormones in the pill stop a woman's ovaries from releasing an egg
(ovulating). They also make it difficult for sperm to reach an egg, or for
an egg to implant itself in the lining of the womb.

When taken correctly, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing

pregnancy. This means that fewer than 1 woman in 100 who use the
combined pill as contraception will get pregnant in a year.

In real world use, about 8 in 100 women who use the combined pill a year
become pregnant due to incorrect use such as forgetting to take pills (92%
effective).

You need to take the pill every day for 21 days, then stop for 7 days, and
during this week you have a period-type bleed. You'll still be protected
against pregnancy during these 7 days. You start taking the pill again
after 7 days. You need to take the pill at the same time every day. If you
don't, you could get pregnant. You can also get pregnant if you miss a
pill, or vomit or have severe diarrhoea.

CONDOMS
Condoms are the most effective way of preventing sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), including HIV. Condoms are also an effective method
of contraception.

There are 2 types of condoms: condoms worn on the penis and condoms
worn inside the vagina. Condoms worn on the penis are made from very
thin latex (rubber), polyisoprene or polyurethane. They're designed to
stop a man's semen from coming into contact with his sexual partner.

If used correctly every time you have sex, condoms are extremely
effective at preventing STIs. Condoms are also 98% effective at
preventing pregnancy. This means that 2 out of 100 women using male
condoms as contraception will become pregnant in a year.
In real world use, about 15 in every 100 women a year who use condoms
as contraception become pregnant (85% effective). This is due to
incorrect use, condoms bursting, or slipping off.
In most areas you can get free condoms from sexual health clinics and
some GP practices, pharmacies or young people's clinics. In many areas
you may be able to have free condoms delivered by post.

IUD
 (INTRAUTERINE DEVICE , COIL)

An IUD is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s inserted into
your womb (uterus) by a specially trained doctor or nurse.

The IUD works by stopping the sperm and egg from surviving in the
womb or fallopian tubes. It may also prevent a fertilised egg from
implanting in the womb.

The IUD is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method. This

means that once it's in place, you don't have to think about it each day or
each time you have sex. There are several types and sizes of IUD.
There are different types of IUD, some with more copper than others.
IUDs with more copper are more than 99% effective. This means that
fewer than 1 in 100 women who use an IUD will get pregnant in one
year. IUDs with less copper will be less effective.

An IUD works as soon as it's put in, and lasts for 5 to 10 years, depending
on the type. It can be put in at any time during your menstrual cycle, as
long as you're not pregnant. It can be removed at any time by a doctor or
nurse and you'll quickly return to normal levels of fertility. Changes to
your periods are common in the first 3 to 6 months after an IUD is put in.
For example, your periods may be heavier, longer or more painful. But
they're likely to settle down after this. You might get spotting or bleeding
between periods.
 CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT

The contraceptive implant is a thin, flexible rod about 4cm long. It's
inserted under the skin of your upper arm by a professional.

The implant stops the release of an egg from the ovary by slowly
releasing progestogen into your body. Progestogen also thickens the
cervical mucus and thins the womb lining. This makes it harder for sperm
to move through your cervix, and less likely for your womb to accept a
fertilised egg.

If implanted correctly, it's more than 99% effective. Fewer than 1 woman
in 1,000 who have the implant as contraception for 3 years will get
pregnant. It's very useful for women who know they don't want to get
pregnant for a while. Once the implant is in place, you don't have to think
about contraception for 3 years.