Contraception

How it works
•    The progesterone only pill (mini-pill) contains the hormone progestogen. 
•    It prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. 
•    This method suits women who want to take pills but who cannot have oestrogen.
•    The pills must be taken at the same time every day. 

Effectiveness
•    91% effective

When can I start using it?
•    Can be started immediately after you have had your baby

Advantages
•    Suitable for breastfeeding women
•    Fertility usually returns within 1 month of stopping taking it
•    May help with painful or heavy periods

Disadvantages
•    May have irregular bleeding
•    Must remember to take at the same time each day
•    May develop ovarian cysts (these are not dangerous and often disappear without treatment)

How it works
•    The injection contains the hormone progestogen.
•    It prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg each month, and thickens your cervical mucus, which helps to block sperm from getting to the egg.
•    Each injection lasts for 8-13 weeks depending on the type.

Effectiveness
•    94% effective

When can I start using it?
•    Can be started immediately after you have had your baby

Advantages
•    Suitable for breastfeeding women
•    May have lighter or no periods

Disadvantages
•    Must see a health professional every 8-13 weeks for the injection 
•    It can take up to one year for fertility to return after stopping the injection
•    Possible irregular periods
•    Some women gain weight

How it works
•    The implant is a small flexible rod, about the size of a matchstick, that is inserted under the skin of your upper arm. 
•    It releases the hormone progestogen.
•    It prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg each month and thickens your cervical mucus, which helps to block sperm from getting to the egg. 
•    It works for three years but can be taken out sooner.

Effectiveness
•    More than 99% effective

When can I start using it?
•    It can be inserted as soon as you have your baby.

Advantages
•    Long lasting
•    Highly effective
•    Suitable for breast feeding women
•    Fertility returns immediately after removal
•    May have lighter periods, or may stop completely 

Disadvantages
•    Possible irregular, heavier and more painful periods 
•    It requires a small procedure to fit and remove it

How it works
•    The hormonal IUS (also known as the hormonal coil) is a small, t-shaped device that is placed in your uterus (womb)
•    It releases the hormone progestogen locally which prevents sperm from getting through the cervix into the uterus and meeting an egg.
•    It lasts for 3-8 years depending on the type but can be taken out sooner

Effectiveness
•    More than 99% effective

When can I start using it?
•    It can be inserted either within 48 hours of your baby being born, or after 4 weeks

Advantages
•    Long lasting
•    Highly effective
•    Suitable for breastfeeding women
•    Fertility returns immediately after removal
•    It can be removed easily
•    Very low dose of safe hormone
•    Bleeding may become less painful, lighter or might stop altogether. It can be an effective treatment for heavy periods.

Disadvantages
•    Possible irregular bleeding or spotting is common in the first six months
•    Must be inserted by a clinician
•    Very small chance of getting an infection in the first 20 days after insertion
•    May develop ovarian cysts (these are not dangerous and often disappear without treatment)
•    Small risk of ectopic pregnancy if the IUS fails

How it works
•    The copper IUD (also known as the copper coil) is a small, t-shaped device that is placed in your uterus (womb) and alters the way sperm move to prevent them from fertilising an egg. 
•    It does not contain any hormones.
•    It lasts for up to 5 or 10 years, depending on the type, but can be taken out sooner.

Effectiveness
•    More than 99% effective

When can I start using it?
•    It can be inserted either within 48 hours of your baby being born, or after 4 weeks. 

Advantages
•    Long lasting
•    Highly effective
•    Suitable for breastfeeding women
•    Fertility returns immediately after removal
•    It can be removed easily

Disadvantages
•    Possible heavier, crampier periods
•    Must be inserted by a clinician 
•    Very small chance of getting an infection in the first 20 days after insertion
•    Small risk of ectopic pregnancy if the IUD fails

•    This involves blocking, cutting, or sealing the fallopian tubes so that sperm cannot get through to meet an egg. 
•    It is a permanent form of contraception and therefore you must be sure that you do not want to have any more children.
•    It may be possible to have it done during a planned caesarean section. 
•    Otherwise, you will normally be advised to wait until your youngest child is a year old before you have the operation and will require another method of contraception before this. 

Effectiveness
•    More than 99% effective

Advantages
•    Permanent
•    Highly effective
•    No change in periods

Disadvantages
•    Higher failure rate if done during caesarean section
•    Irreversible – must be certain you never want another pregnancy
•    Surgical procedure – might require general anaesthetic and risk of complications
•    There is a small increased risk of ectopic pregnancy if sterilisation fails

How it works
•    These methods contain two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen, that prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. 
•    Usually this is a pill that you take at the same time every day.
•    There are also patches or vaginal rings which work just like the pill.
•    CHC is not suitable for everyone.

Effectiveness
•    91% effective

When can I start using it?
•    If you are breastfeeding, you cannot use a CHC method until 6 weeks after you have had your baby and will need to use another method in the meantime. 
•    If you are not breastfeeding, then you may be able to start CHC at three weeks after you have your baby but some women may need to wait until 6 weeks after delivery due to health reasons. 

Advantages 
•    Shorter, lighter and less painful periods
•    Fertility usually returns within 1 month of stopping taking it
•    May help improve acne, pre-menstrual syndrome and heavy periods

Disadvantages
•    May have irregular bleeding, however this usually improves over time
•    Must use the method correctly
•    Some women cannot take oestrogen for health reasons
•    Some medications can make it less effective 
•    May cause side effects such as breast tenderness and mood changes
•    Low risk of serious side effects including blood clots, breast and cervical cancer

You can find further information below.

• https://www.nhs.uk/baby/support-and-services/sex-and-contraception-after-birth/
• https://www.contraceptionchoices.org

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