Rethink your contraception YOUR RETURN TO FERTILITY FIND OUT MORE FORGOT YOUR PILL? IT HAPPENS TO THE BEST OF US FIND OUT MORE NEED EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION? FIND OUT MORE TIRED OF THE DAILY ROUTINE? FIND OUT MORE THINK YOU HAVE A HEAVY PERIOD? FIND OUT MORE WHAT'S MY METHOD Find out which birth control method may be the best match for you based on your needs. TAKE QUIZ TAKE QUIZ TAKE QUIZ NEED ADVICE? Get ready to speak to a doctor or nurse. Use a 3-step guide to prepare for your next doctor’s appointment. START PREPARING START PREPARING NOW KNOW YOUR OPTIONS THE IUS The Hormonal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plastic frame that releases progestin hormone for up to 3 to 8 years. It is given with a prescription and placed in your womb by a doctor or nurse. THE IUD The Copper Coil is a small, T-shaped plastic frame that has a copper wire. It is given with a prescription and placed in your womb by a doctor or nurse, where it prevents pregnancy for up to 5 to 10 years. THE IMPLANT A small, flexible silicone rod that releases hormones for up to 3 to 5 years. It is given with a prescription and placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. THE PILL A small tablet containing one hormone, or a combined pill containing two hormones, that is self-administered with a prescription and needs to be swallowed at the same time each day. THE INJECTION A shot containing hormone(s) that is given with a prescription and administered by a doctor or nurse or independently, every 8 to13 weeks, depending on the injection type available in your country. THE PATCH A small, thin, skin-coloured plastic square that sticks to the skin and releases hormones. It is given with a prescription and can be self-administered once a week. THE DIAPHRAGM A silicone cup placed in the vagina that prevents sperm from reaching the womb. Though some are fitted by a doctor or nurse, most are self-administered with a prescription up to 2 hours before sex and it should remain in place for 6 hours after sex. The Diaphragm should in place for more than 24 hours. THE RING A small, flexible ring that is self-administered with a prescription and placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones for 3-5 weeks, depending on the ring available in your country. THE INTERNAL CONDOM An internal condom that works in the same way male condoms do, though it is placed in the vagina it is also a method that helps lower the risk of STIs. It is self-administered and bought over the counter. THE EXTERNAL CONDOM A sheath placed over the erect penis to stop sperm from reaching the vagina it is also a method that helps lower the risk of STIs. It is self-administered and bought over the counter. THE SPONGE A small, round piece of foam with a nylon loop that is placed in the vagina right before intercourse. It is bought over the counter and is self-administered. NATURAL PLANNING Self-directed methods of avoiding pregnancy that include menstrual cycle tracking and body temperature measurements to identify fertile days. SPERMICIDE Creams, films, foams, gels and suppositories that contain chemicals to stop or kill sperm. These are bought over the counter and are self-administered. WITHDRAWAL Also known as ‘The pull-out method”, this self-directed method involves withdrawing the penis prior to ejaculation to avoid pregnancy. STERILIZATION: TUBAL LIGATION A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the fallopian tubes and removes the possibility of pregnancy. STERILIZATION: VASECTOMY A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the tubes carrying sperm. SEE ALL METHODS COMPARE METHODS
