MyContraception-Woman

I WANT TO HAVE CONTROL OF MY CONTRACEPTION

LIFE CAN BE HECTIC, CONTRACEPTION SHOULD NOT KEEP YOU BUSY

Nowadays our routines are a lot less...routine. Between family, friends, work, travel, and the countless ways we spend our free time, each day can be different from the last. There are plenty of contraceptive methods that can fit with your lifestyle.

HOW TO BREAK THE DAILY RHYTHM

Many women find that daily routine works for them. If you feel that this is not suitable to your lifestyle, here's a brief look at other options that could meet your needs.

WEEKLY

The patch is a contraception method that you just need to remember to change once a week. It sticks to your skin and releases hormones into your body, and after 7 days you simply remove the old patch and replace it with a new one. After 3 weeks, you take a week without the patch, and then you start the routine again. You may get some bleeding during that break.

MONTHLY

The ring is a contraception method you only need to remember once a month. It is placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones locally, and you replace it with a new one after 4 weeks. The contraceptive injection has a similar routine – it is administered by your doctor or nurse every 8 to 13 weeks depending on the type.

EVERY FEW YEARS

If you'd rather not have a daily, weekly, or monthly routine with your contraception, there are still options available to you. The hormonal coil and the contraceptive implant are both hormonal methods administered by your doctor or nurse. Once fitted, they keep working for up to 3 to 6 years. The copper coil works for even longer. This non-hormonal method can work for up to 5 to 10 years once fitted.

NEED ADVICE? SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.

Speak to a healthcare professional for advice and support on your contraceptive needs.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

THE INTRAUTERINE SYSTEM (IUS)
– AKA THE HORMONAL COIL

The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 3 to 6 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

IUS

THE INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD)
– AKA THE COPPER COIL

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.

IUD

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.

Implant

THE COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL (COCP)

COCPs are tablets which may have to be taken every day, releasing the hormones oestrogen and progestogen to prevent pregnancy. They are often referred to as the Pill and you will need a prescription from your healthcare professional for these.

The COCP

THE PROGESTOGEN-ONLY PILL (POP)

POPs are tablets which have to be taken every day at the same time with no break between packs. These pills only contain a progestogen hormone so they can be taken by women for whom oestrogen-containing options are not suitable. They are also known as the mini-pill and you will need a prescription from your healthcare professional for these.

The POP

THE
INJECTION

An injection containing hormone(s) that is given with a prescription and administered by a doctor or nurse every 1 or 3 months.

Injection

THE
PATCH

A small, thin, skin-colored plastic square that sticks to the skin and releases hormones. It is given with a prescription and can be self-administered once a week.

Patch

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 24 hours before sex.

Diaphragm

THE
RING

A small, flexible ring that is self-administered with a prescription and placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones for 3 weeks.

Ring

THE
FEMALE CONDOM

An internal condom that works in the same way male condoms do, though it is placed in the vagina. It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Female condom

THE
MALE CONDOM

A sheath placed over the erect penis to stop sperm from reaching the vagina, it is also the only method that helps lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Male condom

NATURAL
PLANNING

Self-directed methods of avoiding pregnancy that includes menstrual cycle tracking and body temperature measurements to identify fertile days.

Natural Planning

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.

Spermicide

WITHDRAWAL

Also known as ‘the pull-out method’, this self-directed method involves withdrawing the penis prior to ejaculation to avoid pregnancy.

Withdrawal

FEMALE
STERILISATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the fallopian tubes and removes the possibility of pregnancy.

Female sterilisation

MALE
STERILISATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the tubes carrying sperm.

Male sterilisation
COMPARE METHODS

CAN YOU RELATE?

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PP-PF-WHC-GB-0689 | Date of preparation: May 2021

© 2021 Bayer plc. All rights reserved

This website has been developed to raise awareness of the different contraceptive options available in the UK.

Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical advice. Health information in this website is intended as general information and for UK audiences only. It is not intended to replace a consultation with a healthcare professional, nor is it intended to provide specific medical advice. The MyContraception campaign has been initiated, organised and funded by Bayer.