What kind of contraception should i use

No hormones. Combined pill COC. The combined pill is usually just called the pill. It contains two hormones — estrogen and progestogen. These are…. Read more. Condoms external. External male and internal female condoms are barrier methods of contraception. They stop sperm meeting an egg. Condoms internal. Internal female and external male condoms are barrier methods of contraception.

Contraceptive implant. It releases a…. Read more Contraceptive implant. Contraceptive injections. Contraceptive injections contain a progestogen hormone which is similar to the natural progesterone produced by the…. Read more Contraceptive injections. Contraceptive patch. But if you're a smoker and over 35 years old, some contraceptives such as the combined pill, patch or the vaginal ring might not be suitable for you.

Find out how to stop smoking. Your weight will not affect most types of contraception, and most contraception will not make you put on weight. But the contraceptive injection has been linked to a small amount of weight gain if used for 2 years or more. Find out how to lose weight. Some contraceptives work by using hormones that are similar to the hormones women produce naturally.

These hormones are oestrogen and progestogen. Contraceptives that contain these hormones aren't suitable for some women, such as those who have medical conditions like breast cancer.

If you cannot use contraceptives that contain oestrogen, there are plenty of other options, including:. Some contraceptives can be affected if you're taking other medicines, but there are plenty of options. All methods of contraception can be stopped if you want to have a baby.

You can get pregnant as soon as you stop using contraception. A woman's fertility usually returns to normal within the first month after stopping the combined pill , vaginal ring or contraceptive patch. If you want your fertility to return to normal quickly after you stop using contraception, consider these methods:.

Most women's fertility will return in a few months, but it can take up to a year for fertility to return to normal. Page last reviewed: 3 January Next review due: 3 January Which method of contraception suits me? Where to get contraception. What is emergency contraception? Where can I get emergency contraception? Emergency contraception. Things to consider Age, health, lifestyle, side effects How effective is contraception at preventing pregnancy? Combined pill Progestogen-only pill Natural family planning fertility awareness.

Condoms Female condoms Diaphragm or cap. Condoms Female condoms. Female sterilisation Vasectomy male sterilisation. Contraception after having a baby. Using contraception effectively Will antibiotics stop my contraception working? What if my partner won't use condoms? Where can I get emergency contraception morning after pill, IUD? How effective is emergency contraception?

Ask your GP or a doctor or nurse at your local clinic for more details. Smokers can use most types of contraception. But if you're a smoker and over 35 years old, some contraceptives such as the combined pill, patch or the vaginal ring might not be suitable for you. Find out ways to stop smoking. Your weight won't affect most types of contraception, and most contraception won't make you put on weight. However, the contraceptive injection has been linked to a small amount of weight gain if used for two years or more.

Some contraceptives work by using hormones that are similar to the hormones that women produce naturally. These hormones are oestrogen and progestogen.

Contraceptives that contain these hormones aren't suitable for some women, such as those who have medical conditions, including breast cancer. If you can't use contraceptives that contain oestrogen, there are plenty of other options, including:. Some contraceptives can be affected if you're taking other medicines, but there are plenty of options.

Ask your GP, nurse or your local clinic for more details. All methods of contraception can be stopped if you want to have a baby. You can get pregnant as soon as you stop using contraception. A woman's fertility usually returns to normal within the first month after stopping the combined pill , vaginal ring or contraceptive patch. If you want your fertility to return to normal quickly after you stop using contraception, consider these methods:.

Your fertility may take longer to return to normal after stopping the contraceptive injection. Most women's fertility will return in a few months, but it can take up to a year for fertility to return to normal. Find out about getting pregnant. It's possible to become pregnant again very soon after the birth of a baby, even if you're breastfeeding and even if your periods haven't returned.

You ovulate release an egg about two weeks before your period arrives, so your fertility may have returned before you realise it. It's important to sort out contraception from the start.

If you had your baby in hospital, you will probably have discussed contraception with a family planning advisor before being discharged home. You'll also be asked about contraception at your six week postnatal check, but you can discuss it at any time with your health visitor, midwife, GP or local family planning clinic. You can use male condoms , female condoms or the progestogen-only pill as soon as you feel ready to have sex.

You can start to use a contraceptive implant from 21 days after the birth. If you are not breastfeeding , you can start to use the combined pill , vaginal ring and contraceptive patch from 21 days after the birth. However, if you are breastfeeding , these three contraceptive methods may affect your milk supply and you are usually advised to wait until the baby is six months old.

You can usually have a contraceptive injection or start using a diaphragm or cap around six weeks after giving birth. If you used a diaphragm or cap before becoming pregnant, see your GP or contraception family planning clinic after the birth to ensure that it still fits correctly. This is because childbirth and other factors such as weight loss or gain can mean you need a different size. An intrauterine device IUD , also known as a 'coil', or intrauterine system IUS can sometimes be fitted within 48 hours of giving birth.

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