Contraceptive methods that don’t depend on you remembering to take or use them.

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Contraceptive implant Intrauterine device (IUD) Intrauterine system (IUS) Contraceptive injection Sterilisation

A small, flexible rod put under the skin A small plastic and copper device is A small, T-shaped, progestogen-releasing, An injection of progestogen. The fallopian tubes in women or the
What is it? of the upper arm releases progestogen. put into the uterus (womb). plastic device is put into the uterus (womb). tubes carrying sperm in men (vas
deferens) are cut, sealed or blocked.

Perfect use: over 99% Perfect use: over 99% Perfect use: over 99% Perfect use: over 99% Failure rate is about 1 in 200 or 1
Effectiveness Typical use: over 99%. Typical use: over 99%. Typical use: over 99%. Typical use: around 94%. in 500 for females (depending on
method), and 1 in 2,000 for males.

Advantage Works for 3 years but can Works for 5 or 10 years depending on Works for 3 or 5 years but can be Works for 8 or 13 weeks – you don’t have Sterilisation is permanent with no long
be taken out sooner. type but can be taken out sooner. taken out sooner. Periods often become to think about contraception during or short-term serious side effects.
lighter, shorter and less painful. this time.

Disadvantage It requires a small procedure to fit Periods may be heavier, longer or more Irregular bleeding or spotting is Can’t be removed from the body so side Should not be chosen if in any doubt
and remove it. painful. common in the first 6 months. effects may continue while it works and about having children in the future.
for some time afterwards.

Contraceptive methods that you have to use and think about regularly or each time you have sex.

Contraceptive patch Contraceptive Combined pill (COC) Progestogen-only pill External condom Internal condom Diaphragm/cap with Fertility awareness
vaginal ring (POP) spermicide methods

A small patch stuck A small, flexible, plastic A pill containing A pill containing A very thin latex (rubber) Soft, thin polyurethane A flexible latex (rubber) Fertile and infertile times
to the skin releases ring put into the vagina estrogen and progestogen, progestogen, taken orally. polyurethane (plastic) or sheath that loosely lines or silicone device, used of the menstrual cycle are
What is it? estrogen and progestogen. releases estrogen and taken orally. synthetic sheath, the vagina and covers the with spermicide, is put identified by noting
progestogen. put over the erect penis. area just outside. into the vagina to cover different fertility indicators.
the cervix.

PERFECT USE MEANS USING THE METHOD CORRECTLY EVERY TIME. TYPICAL USE IS WHEN YOU DON’T ALWAYS USE THE METHOD CORRECTLY.

Perfect use: over 99%. Perfect use: over 99%. Perfect use: over 99% Perfect use: over 99% Perfect use: 98% Perfect use: 95%. Perfect use: 92–96% Perfect use: up to 99%
Effectiveness Typical use: around 91%. Typical use: around 91%. Typical use: around 91%. Typical use: around 91%. Typical use: around 82%. Typical use: around 79%. Typical use: 71–88%. Typical use: around 76%.

Can make bleeds regular, One ring stays in for three Often reduces bleeding and Can be used by women Can be put in any time No physical side-effects,
lighter and less painful. weeks – you don’t have to period pain, and may help who smoke and are Condoms are the best way to help protect before sex. and can be used to
Advantage think about contraception with premenstrual symptoms. over 35. yourself from sexually transmitted infections. plan as well as prevent
every day. pregnancy.

May be seen and can cause You must be comfortable Missing pills, vomiting or Late pills, vomiting or May slip off or split if not Not as widely available as You need to use the right Need to avoid sex or use
Disadvantage skin irritation. with inserting and severe diarrhoea can make severe diarrhoea can used correctly or if wrong male condoms. size. If you have sex again a condom at fertile times
removing it. it less effective. make it less effective. size or shape. extra spermicide is needed. of the cycle.

Last updated September 2017 | Copyright FPA | sexwise.org.uk/contraception