There is no 'one contraception fits all' approach to preventing pregnancy as a number of factors can affect the individuals choice including:
There is a wide variety of contraception choices ensuring that there is something to suit everyone's individual needs. However, the efficacy (or effectiveness) of each contraceptive method differs and should be considered carefully when making your choice. You should discuss your options with your doctor, however tools such as this one from Your Life may help you get started in knowing what might work best for you.
Long-acting reversible contraception
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is considered the to be the most effective form of contraception and is on par with sterilisation. For more information regarding LARCs please see my article: 'Why more women should switch to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods'.
Short-term contraceptive options:
If LARCs are not right for you, there are a number of short-term contraception methods to choose from, although their efficacy is lower than LARC methods.
Contraceptive pills
Family Planning NSW's 'Reproductive and sexual health in Australia' resource states that contraceptive pills are contraception of choice for most Australian women (27-34%). There are two main types of contraceptive pill – the combined pill and the progesterone-only ('mini') pill.
Combined pill
What is it?
The combined contraceptive pill contains synthetic versions of both oestrogen and progesterone. Most combined pill packs contain 21 active pills and 7 inactive or 'placebo' pills which allow a women to menstruate. If a combined pill is missed a woman may have a leeway of up to 24 hours.
Efficacy
Combined pills have an efficacy of 91% with typical use.
Side effects
Gastric upsets such as vomiting and diarrhoea can prevent the pill from working, as can certain medications including some antibiotics. In addition a woman may experience hormone-related side effects, and is at an increased risk of blood clots.
Mini-pill
What is it?
The mini (or progesterone-only) pill contains a synthetic version of progesterone and is a better option for women over the age of 35 years or who smoke. Most combined pill packs contain 28 active pills. The mini pill needs to be taken at the same time every day and is one is missed a woman may only have a leeway of up to 3 hours.
Efficacy
Mini pills have an efficacy of 91% with typical use.
Side effects
Gastric upsets such as vomiting and diarrhoea can prevent the pill from working, as can certain medications including some antibiotics. In addition a woman may experience hormone-related side effects and be at an increased risk of blood clots.
Condoms
What is it?
Condoms are barrier methods of contraception that prevent sperm entering the uterus and also help protect against some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are both male and female condoms, however male condoms are far more common. Male condoms are generally made of latex (although latex-free versions are available) and are placed over an erect penis before penetration. A new condom must be used before each incidence of sexual intercourse.
Efficacy
Male condoms have a lower efficacy for typical use at 82%.
Side effects
Some people may experience an allergic reaction to latex condoms and require latex-free versions. Condoms can also weaken or break, be past their expiration date, be forgotten in the heat of the moment or reduce the sensation for the man – all of which contribute to the lower efficacy rate for typical use.
Vaginal ring
What is it?
A soft, plastic ring is inserted by a woman into her vagina and can remain in place for up to 3 weeks before needing replaced. The ring releases low doses of the hormones oestrogen and progestogen, similar to the contraceptive pill.
Efficacy
The vaginal ring has a protection rate of 91% with typical use.
Side effects
The vaginal ring is an alternative delivery system to the contraceptive pill, and may cause hormone-related side effects including bloodclots. In addition, some women may experience vaginal irritation.
Contraceptive diaphragms and caps
What is it?
Diaphragms and caps are dome-shaped barrier devices made of silicone that are inserted into the vagina to prevent sperm from passing through the cervix. They need to be inserted before every incidence of sexual intercourse and should be left in for at least 6 hours after to ensure sperm does not enter the womb. It is often advised to use spermicide (a gel that kills sperm) along with a diaphragm/cap.
Efficacy
The diaphragm/cap has an efficacy rate of ~88%.
Side effects
The diaphragm/cap can be difficult to put in and requires practice to be done correctly. Some women may find them uncomfortable to use. There is also an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with diaphragms/caps.
Other contraception methods
Other contraception methods include the 'withdrawal' method and 'fertility awareness' and are less effective at preventing pregnancy. The withdrawal method requires the man to withdraw his penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation, however only has a efficacy rate of 78% due to inconsistent successful implementation and the potential for sperm to be present prior to full ejaculation. Likewise, fertility awareness-based techniques such as timing of the cycle or temperature-taking to determine the fertile days and allowing condoms to be used or sex to be abstained from during this time, have an efficacy rate of just 76%.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception can be useful in cases where other forms of contraception have failed or were forgotten. The most common forms of emergency contraception are:
Emergency contraception must be taken within 5 days of sexual intercourse, however is most effective the closer to time, particularly if taken within 24 hours of sex.
- Age
- Gender
- Medical History
- Ability (or preference) to use hormones
- Personality/lifestyle
There is a wide variety of contraception choices ensuring that there is something to suit everyone's individual needs. However, the efficacy (or effectiveness) of each contraceptive method differs and should be considered carefully when making your choice. You should discuss your options with your doctor, however tools such as this one from Your Life may help you get started in knowing what might work best for you.
Long-acting reversible contraception
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is considered the to be the most effective form of contraception and is on par with sterilisation. For more information regarding LARCs please see my article: 'Why more women should switch to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods'.
Short-term contraceptive options:
If LARCs are not right for you, there are a number of short-term contraception methods to choose from, although their efficacy is lower than LARC methods.
Contraceptive pills
Family Planning NSW's 'Reproductive and sexual health in Australia' resource states that contraceptive pills are contraception of choice for most Australian women (27-34%). There are two main types of contraceptive pill – the combined pill and the progesterone-only ('mini') pill.
Combined pill
What is it?
The combined contraceptive pill contains synthetic versions of both oestrogen and progesterone. Most combined pill packs contain 21 active pills and 7 inactive or 'placebo' pills which allow a women to menstruate. If a combined pill is missed a woman may have a leeway of up to 24 hours.
Efficacy
Combined pills have an efficacy of 91% with typical use.
Side effects
Gastric upsets such as vomiting and diarrhoea can prevent the pill from working, as can certain medications including some antibiotics. In addition a woman may experience hormone-related side effects, and is at an increased risk of blood clots.
Mini-pill
What is it?
The mini (or progesterone-only) pill contains a synthetic version of progesterone and is a better option for women over the age of 35 years or who smoke. Most combined pill packs contain 28 active pills. The mini pill needs to be taken at the same time every day and is one is missed a woman may only have a leeway of up to 3 hours.
Efficacy
Mini pills have an efficacy of 91% with typical use.
Side effects
Gastric upsets such as vomiting and diarrhoea can prevent the pill from working, as can certain medications including some antibiotics. In addition a woman may experience hormone-related side effects and be at an increased risk of blood clots.
Condoms
What is it?
Condoms are barrier methods of contraception that prevent sperm entering the uterus and also help protect against some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are both male and female condoms, however male condoms are far more common. Male condoms are generally made of latex (although latex-free versions are available) and are placed over an erect penis before penetration. A new condom must be used before each incidence of sexual intercourse.
Efficacy
Male condoms have a lower efficacy for typical use at 82%.
Side effects
Some people may experience an allergic reaction to latex condoms and require latex-free versions. Condoms can also weaken or break, be past their expiration date, be forgotten in the heat of the moment or reduce the sensation for the man – all of which contribute to the lower efficacy rate for typical use.
Vaginal ring
What is it?
A soft, plastic ring is inserted by a woman into her vagina and can remain in place for up to 3 weeks before needing replaced. The ring releases low doses of the hormones oestrogen and progestogen, similar to the contraceptive pill.
Efficacy
The vaginal ring has a protection rate of 91% with typical use.
Side effects
The vaginal ring is an alternative delivery system to the contraceptive pill, and may cause hormone-related side effects including bloodclots. In addition, some women may experience vaginal irritation.
Contraceptive diaphragms and caps
What is it?
Diaphragms and caps are dome-shaped barrier devices made of silicone that are inserted into the vagina to prevent sperm from passing through the cervix. They need to be inserted before every incidence of sexual intercourse and should be left in for at least 6 hours after to ensure sperm does not enter the womb. It is often advised to use spermicide (a gel that kills sperm) along with a diaphragm/cap.
Efficacy
The diaphragm/cap has an efficacy rate of ~88%.
Side effects
The diaphragm/cap can be difficult to put in and requires practice to be done correctly. Some women may find them uncomfortable to use. There is also an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with diaphragms/caps.
Other contraception methods
Other contraception methods include the 'withdrawal' method and 'fertility awareness' and are less effective at preventing pregnancy. The withdrawal method requires the man to withdraw his penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation, however only has a efficacy rate of 78% due to inconsistent successful implementation and the potential for sperm to be present prior to full ejaculation. Likewise, fertility awareness-based techniques such as timing of the cycle or temperature-taking to determine the fertile days and allowing condoms to be used or sex to be abstained from during this time, have an efficacy rate of just 76%.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception can be useful in cases where other forms of contraception have failed or were forgotten. The most common forms of emergency contraception are:
- The emergency contraceptive pill (or 'morning after pill') which contains levonorgestrel
- The Copper IUD
Emergency contraception must be taken within 5 days of sexual intercourse, however is most effective the closer to time, particularly if taken within 24 hours of sex.
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