Contraception

• The emergency contraceptive pill, sometimes called the morning after pill, can stop a pregnancy happening after sex without contraception or if contraception fails.
• The emergency contraceptive pill is not suitable for everyone.
• You need to take it within 3 or 5 days after sex, depending on the type of pill. The sooner you take an emergency pill, the more likely it is to work.
• You can get emergency contraceptive pills from all sexual health clinics, GP surgeries and local pharmacies in South Tyneside.

• The progestogen-only pill (mini pill) is a type of hormonal contraception. Progestogen is a hormone that works in a similar way to progesterone.
• The progestogen-only pill prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg each month.
• The progestogen-only pill is not suitable for everyone.
• It’s over 99% effective if you use it correctly all the time. If not used correctly, for example missing a pill, it’s less effective.
• When you stop taking the progestogen-only pill, it usually takes about 1 month for your chance of getting pregnant to return to how it was before.
• The progestogen-only pill may help with painful or heavy periods and endometriosis.
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

• The combined contraceptive pill (also called the pill) is a type of hormonal contraception. It contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen.
• It prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg each month.
• The combined pill is not suitable for everyone.
• It’s over 99% effective if you use it correctly all the time. If not used correctly, for example missing a pill, it’s less effective.
• When you stop taking the pill, your fertility usually returns to previous levels after about a month.
• The pill can help with acne, heavy or painful periods, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and endometriosis.
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

• An IUD (intrauterine device), also called a copper coil, is a small plastic T-shape that a doctor or nurse puts into your womb (uterus).
• It does not use hormones. It stops pregnancy by releasing copper into the womb.
• An IUD is not suitable for everyone.
• An IUD is over 99% effective.
• It works as soon as it's put in and lasts for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type.
• An IUD can also be used as a form of emergency contraception.
• It’s safe to use while breastfeeding.
• After an IUD is removed your fertility will return to previous levels straight away.
• This information is about the copper coil. For information about the hormonal coil, see intrauterine system (IUS).
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

• An IUS (intrauterine system), also called a hormonal coil, is a small plastic T-shape that a doctor or nurse puts into your womb (uterus). It stops pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestogen into your womb.
• An IUS is not suitable for everyone.
• An IUS is over 99% effective and lasts for 3 to 8 years, depending on the type.
• An IUS is safe to use while breastfeeding and can usually be fitted soon after giving birth.
• After an IUS is removed your fertility returns to previous levels straight away.
• An IUS can make periods lighter, shorter, and less painful. It can be an effective treatment for heavy periods.
• An IUS can be used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause symptoms.
• This information is about the hormonal coil. For information about the copper coil, see intrauterine device (IUD).
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

• The contraceptive implant is a small plastic rod, around 4 cm long, that a doctor or nurse puts under the skin of your arm.
• It prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestogen. This stops the ovaries releasing an egg each month.
• The contraceptive implant is not suitable for everyone.
• The implant works for 3 years before it needs to be replaced.
• An implant is over 99% effective if it's replaced every 3 years. If not it's less effective.
• A specially trained doctor or nurse can remove the implant at any time if you no longer want to use it.
• Once the implant is removed your chance of getting pregnant will return to what it was before the implant was fitted straight away.
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

• The contraceptive injection contains the hormone progestogen.
• It prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg (ovulation).
• The contraceptive injection is not suitable for everyone.
• The contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective if used correctly. If you get your injection late, it’s less effective.
• It lasts for 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type. The types of contraceptive injection used in the UK include Depo Provera, Sayana Press and Noristerat.
• When you stop getting the contraceptive injection, it can take up to 1 year for your fertility to return to previous levels.
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

• The contraceptive patch is a small square patch, 5cm by 5cm, that you wear on your skin.
• It prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormones oestrogen and progestogen into the blood. This stops the ovaries releasing an egg each month.
• The contraceptive patch is not suitable for everyone.
• You wear a patch for 7 days and then replace it with a new one.
• The contraceptive patch is 99% effective if you use it correctly all the time. If not used correctly it’s less effective.
• When you stop using the contraceptive patch, your fertility usually returns to previous levels after around 1 to 3 months.
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

• Diaphragms and caps are types of contraception you put inside your vagina before sex. You need to use them with spermicide (gel, foam or cream that kills sperm).
• Diaphragms and caps are discs or small domes made of thin, soft silicone or latex. They cover the cervix (entrance to the womb).
• They prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm entering the womb.
• Diaphragms and caps are not suitable for everyone.
• Caps are smaller than diaphragms and you can leave them in for longer.
• If correctly used diaphragms and caps are estimated to be between 92 and 96% effective. If not used correctly they are less effective.
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

• The vaginal ring is a type of contraception you put inside your vagina. It’s made of soft plastic and is around 5cm across.
• It prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormones oestrogen and progestogen into the blood. This stops the ovaries releasing an egg each month.
• The vaginal ring is not suitable for everyone.
• You put the ring inside your vagina and leave it there for 3 weeks.
• The vaginal ring is 99% effective if you use it correctly all the time. If not used correctly, it's less effective.
• When you stop using the vaginal ring, your fertility usually returns to previous levels after around 1 to 3 months.
• You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

Condoms (also called external, or male, condoms) help prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You put a condom on the penis before vaginal, anal or oral sex.

Most people can use condoms.

Some condoms are made from latex, others are latex free. It will say on the packet what the condom is made of.

Do not use latex condoms if:

• you have a latex allergy
• you’re using anti-fungal medicine on or around your anus, vulva and vagina, or penis and testicles

Condoms can be used for:

• vaginal sex
• anal sex
• oral sex

Some people also put condoms on sex toys.