WHAT IS CONTRACEPTION? Contraception means prevention of pregnancy. There are a number of different methods of contraception available. It is important to choose a method that best suits your needs at the time. Using contraception gives you more control, allows you to decide if, and when, to have children, and allows you to enjoy sex without having to worry about an unplanned pregnancy. WHICH CONTRACEPTIVE IS RIGHT FOR ME? Many factors may affect your choice of a contraceptive method including: How effective the method is. Your stage of life. Your lifestyle. Ease of use of the method. Any...

THE PROGESTOGEN ONLY PILL (POP) The POP (sometimes also called the mini pill) is an oral hormonal Contraceptive pill which contains a low dose of progestogen. The POP is taken continuously and at the same time every day in order to prevent pregnancy. It is different to the combined pill (‘the pill’) which contains two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. HOW DOES IT WORK? The POP works by making the mucous produced by the cervix thicker, so that sperm cannot get into the uterus (womb) and fertilise an egg. HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT? It is thought to be between 91% - 99% effective in preventing...

WHAT IS THE COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL? The combined oral contraceptive pill, usually simply called ‘the pill’, is a contraceptive pill taken by mouth which contains two hormones, oestrogen and a progestogen.   HOW DOES IT WORK? The pill works by preventing ovulation, which means it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, which in turn means that fertilization cannot occur and a pregnancy cannot begin. HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT? The pill is approximately 93% effective.  HOW IS IT TAKEN? The pill is taken by mouth every day. Most pill types come in a box of three to four sachets...