Condoms are good because they’re the only contraception that prevents HIV and STIs as well as pregnancy. But for them to work, you have to use them correctly every time you have sex.
There areexternal (sometimes called male) condomsandinternal (sometimes called female) condoms.
The pill
This is very effective at preventing pregnancy, but it has to be taken every day or it stops working.
The injection
This prevents pregnancy for 813 weeks, so there is no need to remember to take anything. But you do need to remember when your next injection is due.
The implant
This is a small plastic rod that is fitted in a female’s arm. It will prevent pregnancy for three, four or five years depending on the type you get, so there is no need to remember to take anything. But it must be removed or replaced when the time period is up.
The contraceptive coil
An intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) are two different types of contraceptive coils (sometimes known simply as a coil). A contraceptive coil It is is a small device that is inserted into the wombto prevent pregnancy for three to ten years.
The patch
A small sticky patch that releases hormones through your skin to prevent pregnancy. Each patch lasts for a week and after three weeks, you have a patchfree week.
Pulling out
Also known as the ‘withdrawal method’. This is when the penis is taken out of the vagina before ejaculation (or cumming). This is unreliable because the man has to make sure they pull out before any semen comes out and this is difficult to do.
Emergency contraception
If you have unprotected sex, the condom brakes or you forget to take your pill, emergency contraception (also called the ‘morning after pill’) can prevent pregnancy.
Vasectomy
This is a surgical procedure which blocks the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. So, when a man ejaculates, the fluid from his penis (semen) will not have any sperm in it so it cannot cause pregnancy. This is a permanent type of contraception, so it should only be done if a man is sure they do not want any more, or any, children.
