Choosing your Contraception

Choosing Your Contraception

There are lots of methods of contraception. By finding out more about each method, you can choose contraception that suits you. If you are worried or unsure about anything, or would like to talk through the variety of options available, please book in with our expert team for a consultation.

How do I choose a method?

What are some things to consider when choosing contraception?

Do you (or a partner) want to become pregnant fairly soon, many years away or not at all?
How do you (and/or a partner) want contraception to fit your lifestyle?
Do you (or a partner) want to use a contraceptive method every day, every time you have sex or less often?
How do you want to access your contraception? NB: for most contraceptive choices we can advice how to access for free.

What about emergency contraception?

There are lots of methods of contraception. By finding out more about each method, you can choose contraception that suits you. There’s detailed information about each at the Sexwise website. You can also talk about the methods with our doctor or nurse.

Finding Services

The National Sexual Health Helpline provides confidential advice and information on all aspects of sexual health. The number is 0300 123 7123. It is open Monday to Friday from 9am-8pm and at weekends from 11am-4pm.

For more information on sexual health visit Sexwise.

Information for young people can be found at Brook.

You can find details of contraception and sexual health clinics and services, and details of general practices and pharmacies on these websites.

Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Most methods of contraception don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condoms and internal condoms (also known asfemale condoms), used correctly and consistently, can help protect against STIs. If you can, avoid using spermicidally lubricated condoms. The spermicide commonly contains a chemical called nonoxinol-9, which may increase the risk of HIV and other infections.

How long should I use contraception for?

Contraception needs to be used until the menopause. This is 2 years after last having a natural period if you’re aged under 50, or 1 year if aged over 50.

This advice may be different if you’re using hormonal contraception.

Some contraception has non-contraception benefits. You can continue a suitable method of contraception until aged 55 to take advantage of these benefits.

Contraceptive Methods

The below tables are only to provide you with general information, and are based on evidence-guided research from The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the World Health Organisation.

Methods with a very low user failure....

The below methods are not dependant on the user remembering to use or take them.

Methods with user failure

The below methods require you to use and think about them regularly or each time you have sex. These methods must be used according to instructions.

The Pill: Qlaira

Qlaira is a combined oral contraceptive, commonly known as a ‘birth control pill’ or ‘the Pill’.

It is used to prevent pregnancy and is also used for the treatment of heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding (not caused by any underlying disease) in women who wish to use oral contraception.

Qlaira is unique as a combined oral contraceptive pill, it has different hormones and doses in 4 active pills, mimicking your hormonal menstrual cycle.

Qlaira contains two female sex hormones called estradiol valerate (an estrogen) and dienogest (a progestogen). The estrogen in Qlaira (estradiol valerate) is broken down in the body into a hormone called 17βestradiol, which is identical to the natural oestrogen produced by the female body. The oestrogen in Qlaira is therefore different from the synthetic oestrogen (known as ethinylestradiol) usually used in other forms of combined oral contraception.

How does it work?
Qlaira contains 28 pills per pack: 4 types of active pills, (2 dark yellow, 5 lighter red, 17 light yellow, and 2 dark red) as well as 2 white, which are inactive pills (sugar pills, with no hormones). Each of the active tablets has different levels of hormones and must be taken in the prescribed order for the pill to remain effective. Care must be taken to understand the missed pill regime, as this alters from other combined oral contraceptive pills.

The Pill: Zoely

Zoely is a contraceptive pill, used to prevent pregnancy or help to control heavy painful periods.

It contains more body identical by utilising a more natural oestrogen. This is in contrast to other combined contraceptive pills contain synthetic oestrogen.

Each tablet contains a small amount of two female hormones, namely nomegestrol acetate and 17β-estradiol. Oral contraceptive pills that contain two hormones are called “combined oral contraceptive” pills

17β-estradiol is a natural oestrogen with a structure that is identical to the oestrogen produced in a woman’s body1, Nomegestrol Acetate is metabolically neutral without any androgenic, oestrogenic or mineralo-glucocorticoid activities.

The Contraceptive Patch Evra

The contraceptive combined patch is a birth control patch you stick on your skin. They are thin, small, beige squares that look like a bandage and they work by releasing hormones through your skin into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.

You wear a birth control patch for three weeks, then remove it for one week.

Disadvantages