Which Type of Contraception is Right For You?
Which type of contraception is right for you depends on what you need. For example, if you just want to use contraception as and when you have sex, condoms might be right for you. But if you want something more long term and low maintenance, you might be better off with an IUS, IUD or an implant.
With so many variables associated with each type of contraception, it can be a minefield trying to work out which type of contraception you should choose. That’s why we conducted a survey to find out how informed the public feels about contraception. 2,004 participants, aged over 18, took part. Among other things, we discovered that only 18.2% of people agree that they feel well informed on contraception options by their GP.
Keep reading to learn more about your contraception choices.
Types of contraception
Only 18% of people feel well informed on which types of contraception will work best for their health wants/needs by their GP. So, let’s go through each type of contraception available, including hormonal, non-hormonal and emergency contraceptives.
Hormonal contraception
Hormonal contraception uses hormones (oestrogen, progestogen or both) to prevent pregnancy by:
- Reducing or preventing ovulation
- Blocking sperm from reaching an egg
- Stopping a fertilised egg from attaching to the womb lining
Types of hormonal contraception include:
- Combined contraceptive pill – a pill that contains both oestrogen and progestogen. You need to take the pill every day, so it may not be ideal if you’re likely to forget to take it. However, if taken correctly, the combined pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Progestogen-only pill (mini pill) – a pill that contains just progestogen. You need to take this pill either within three hours or 12 hours of the same time every day, depending on which mini pill you have, so it may not be suitable if you might forget to take it. However, if taken correctly, the mini pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Intrauterine system (IUS) – a small T-shaped plastic device that’s inserted into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse and releases progestogen into the womb. Once an IUS is fitted, it can be left in for three to eight years. An IUS is typically more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Contraceptive implant – a small, plastic rod that’s inserted under the skin on the inside of your upper arm and releases progestogen. Once inserted, the implant works for up to three years. An implant is typically more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Contraceptive patch – a square plaster that contains both oestrogen and progestogen and can be applied anywhere on your body. You need to wear a patch for seven days at a time and replace it every eighth day. So, it may not be suitable if you might forget to change your patch. However, if used correctly, the patch is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Vaginal ring – a small, soft plastic ring that you place inside your vagina for 21 days before removing it for seven days so you can bleed. It might not be suitable if you may forget to change it every month.However, if used correctly, the vaginal ring is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Injection contraception – an injection containing progestogen that’s given in your bum, your lower tummy or the front of your thigh. If used correctly, the contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Non-hormonal contraception
Non-hormonal birth control typically prevents sperm from reaching an egg by providing a physical barrier. On the other hand, the copper coil contraception uses copper instead of hormones to prevent an egg from attaching to the womb lining.
Types of non-hormonal contraception include:
- Male condom – designed to fit over an erect penis and prevent semen from entering the vagina. Male condoms help to protect you against STIs and, if used correctly, are up to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Internal (female condom) – worn inside the vagina to prevent sperm from getting to the womb.Internal condoms help to protect you against STIs and, if used correctly, are up to 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Diaphragm or cap – soft, circular domes made of thin silicone or latex inserted into the vagina before sex and left for at least six hours so that sperm can’t enter the womb.They need to be used with spermicide (a gel, foam or cream that kills sperm).If used correctly with spermicide, diaphragm contraception is 92 to 96% effective at preventing pregnancy.
- Intrauterine device (IUD) or copper coil – a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s inserted into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse. It releases copper into the womb to make it difficult for sperm to get to an egg and can be left in for five to ten years. Some IUDs have more copper than others; those with more copper are more than 99% effective.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraceptives are designed to prevent you from getting pregnant after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure by:
- preventing or delaying ovulation
- stopping an egg from implanting in your womb or being fertilised
Types of emergency contraception include:
- Emergency (morning after) pill – the morning after pill prevents you from getting pregnant if you’ve had unprotected sex.There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill, Levonelle and ellaOne. These are effective at preventing pregnancy if used soon after unprotected sex, though ellaOne is thought to be more effective than Levonelle. The sooner you take them, the more effective they will be.
- IUD (copper coil) as emergency contraception – the copper IUD can be fitted up to five days after having unprotected sex or up to five days after ovulation. It needs to stay in for three weeks to prevent you from getting pregnant. The copper coil is the most effective form of emergency contraception.
One of our prescribing pharmacists, Ayesha Bashir, commented: “I usually recommend you buy a morning after pill before you need one. Keep it somewhere safe at home so that, if a situation ever arises where you need one, you’re already prepared. Ultimately, if you don’t need to worry about how and where you can get emergency contraception, the whole scenario is much less of an emergency.”
What are the pros and cons of the different types of contraception?
Here’s our contraceptives pros and cons list to help you choose a contraceptive method at a glance:
| Method | Pros | Cons | Side effects |
| Combined pill | Can reduce bleeding and period pain Can reduce premenstrual symptoms Does not interrupt sex | Needs to be taken every day Less effective if you miss a pill or have severe diarrhoea or vomiting | headaches nausea breast tenderness mood changes increased blood pressure spotting |
| Progestogen-only pill | Can be used if you smoke Does not interrupt sex | Needs to be taken every day Less effective if you miss a pill or have severe diarrhoea or vomiting | acne less regular periods breast tenderness an increased or decreased sex drive mood changes headaches and migraines nausea ovarian cysts |
| IUS | Can stay in for up to eight years Can make periods shorter, lighter and less painful Does not interrupt sex You don’t need to remember to take it every day Can be used if you smoke | Requires a procedure to be fitted Can be uncomfortable or painful when fitted On rare occasions, it can damage your womb | irregular bleeding and spotting during the first 6 months headaches acne breast tenderness |
| Contraceptive implant | Works for up to three years Does not interrupt sex You don’t need to remember to take it every day Can be used if you smoke | Requires a procedure to be fitted Can cause an infection in the area where it’s fitted | infrequent or prolonged bleeding headaches acne nausea breast tenderness mood changes |
| Contraceptive patch | Can make periods shorter, lighter and less painful Does not interrupt sex You don’t need to remember to take it every day Can help with premenstrual symptoms | Might be seen Can cause skin irritation You need to remember to change it every eighth day | headaches nausea breast tenderness mood changes |
| Vaginal ring | Works for up to three weeks Does not interrupt sex You don’t need to remember to take it every day Can help with premenstrual symptoms | You need to be comfortable with inserting and removing it You need to remember to remove it after 21 days | spotting increased vaginal discharge headaches nausea breast tenderness mood changes |
| Contraceptive injection | Works for between eight and thirteen weeks Does not interrupt sex You don’t need to remember to take it every day Can help with premenstrual symptoms Can reduce heavy, painful periods Can be used if you smoke | The injection site can become infected You can get a dimple at the injection site You need to remember to get the injection every few weeks You may need to learn how to do the injection yourself | irregular or very heavy bleeding weight gain headaches acne breast tenderness mood changes loss of sex drive |
| Male condom | Can protect you from STIs | Can slip off or split, causing contraceptive failureInterrupts sex | |
| Internal (female) condom | Can protect you from STIs | Interrupts sex Not as widely available as male condoms | |
| Diaphragm or cap | Can be inserted any time before sex | Needs to be used with spermicide You need to use the right size Does not protect you against STIs | |
| IUD or copper coil | Can be left in for five to ten years Does not interrupt sex You don’t need to remember to take it every day Can be used if you smoke | Rarely, it can go through the wall of the womb or the womb can push it out Requires a procedure to be fitted Can be uncomfortable or painful when fitted | - periods may be heavier, longer or more painful |
Why are some methods of contraception unsuitable for smokers?
If you smoke and you are over 35 years old, some contraceptives with combined hormones (containing oestrogen and progestogen) might not be suitable for you.
This is because using synthetic oestrogen comes with a very small increased risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, strokes and blood clots in the legs and lungs. However, you already have an increased risk of these conditions if you smoke. And if you smoke and use synthetic oestrogen, you can have an even greater risk.
If you are over 35 and smoke, you can consider contraceptives that do not contain oestrogen, such as:
- IUS
- IUD
- contraceptive implant
- contraceptive injection
- progestogen-only pill
Which types of contraception can help with heavy or painful periods?
Some types of contraception may be prescribed to help heavy or painful periods, as they can make them lighter or less painful.
Contraceptives that can help make periods less painful are:
- combined pill
- IUS
- contraceptive implant
- contraceptive injection
Contraceptives that can help with heavy periods are:
- combined pill
- IUS
- progestogen-only pill
- contraception implant
- contraception injection
An IUS is generally the most effective type of contraception for help with heavy periods.
Sometimes, these contraceptives are used to treat heavy or painful periods even if you don’t need them to prevent pregnancy.
Hormonal contraception vs non-hormonal contraception
One of the main differences between hormonal and non-hormonal contraception is the side effects they cause. But only 16.1% of people agree that they feel well informed by their GP on the side effects of different forms of contraception.
So, let’s discuss some of the positives and negatives of hormonal and non-hormonal contraception, including the side effects they cause.
Hormonal contraception
Hormonal contraception can contribute to side effects like:
- headaches
- nausea
- mood swings
- weight gain
- sore breasts
- acne
- changes to your periods
It can be difficult to remember to take or use your hormonal contraception in the right way. However, if used correctly, hormonal contraception is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy. And many hormonal contraceptive methods (the pill, patch, ring and injection) are still over 90% effective if used less than perfectly (this is known as typical use).
Non-hormonal contraception
Barrier methods can protect you from STIs, typically produce far less side effects than hormonal contraceptive options and can be used as and when you need.Though they can still contribute to some side effects like:
- an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- toxic shock syndrome
- irritation
- allergies
The copper coil can:
- cause pain in your lower tummy or back for a few days after it is fitted
- give you heavier or more painful periods
However, the copper coil is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy and you don’t need to remember to use it in the correct way as it can stay in for up to ten years.2
Which type of contraception is best for preventing pregnancy?
Certain types of contraception (the implant, IUS and IUD) may be more effective at preventing pregnancy if you, for example, struggle to remember to take the contraceptive pill or change your patch. This is because once they are inserted you do not need to think about them. However, any type of contraception is less effective if not used correctly all the time.
The NHS provides a breakdown of the effectiveness of each method of NHS contraception based on how effective they are at preventing pregnancy with typical and perfect use:
| Method | Typical use | Perfect use |
| Combined pill | 91% | Over 99% |
| Progestogen-only pill | 91% | Over 99% |
| IUS | Over 99% | Over 99% |
| Contraceptive implant | Over 99% | Over 99% |
| Contraceptive patch | 91% | Over 99% |
| Vaginal ring | 91% | Over 99% |
| Contraceptive injection | 94% | Over 99% |
| Male condom | 82% | 98% |
| Internal (female) condom | 79% | 95% |
| Diaphragm or cap | Unknown | 92 to 96% |
| IUD or copper coil | Over 99% | Over 99% |
Which contraception method is best for preventing STIs?
STIs can be passed from one person to another through unprotected sex and sexual contact. As a result, barrier methods of contraception can help to protect you from contracting STIs.
Barrier methods include:
- male condoms
- female condoms
Importantly, non-barrier methods of contraception, and diaphragms, do not protect you from STIs and should not be used for this purpose.
However, we found out that many people are using contraception methods for STI prevention that don’t actually prevent STIs (e.g. non-barrier methods and diaphragms).
How do weight loss injections affect contraception?
The NHS recently issued an important notice for people using weight loss medications, like Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) or Wegovy (Semaglutide), and taking the contraceptive pill.
These medications partly work by slowing down how your stomach empties. As a result, they can affect how well your body absorbs the contraceptive pill and potentially reduce how effective it is. Although, this only appears to affect people taking Mounjaro (Tirzepatide). Wegovy (Semaglutide) does not appear to reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill.
If you are using Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) and also taking the contraceptive pill, you should:
- switch to using a non-oral type of contraception (e.g. coil or implant)
- or, add a barrier method (like condoms) for 4 weeks after starting using Mounjaro or increasing the dose
However, the side effects of using Wegovy, like vomiting and diarrhoea, can still reduce how well the pill is absorbed. So, if you are experiencing these side effects, you should:
- add a barrier method (like condoms) if you have sex
- behave as though you have missed a pill (see the patient information leaflet which comes with your pill) if you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours
Is contraception free on the NHS?
Only 28.2% of people think that appropriate contraception is readily accessible to everyone in the UK. But if you live in the UK, you can get contraception and emergency contraception for free on the NHS from:
- sexual health clinics
- GP surgeries
- some young people's sexual health services
You can visit your GP for a consultation about your contraceptive options, even if you are under the age of 16. You may be provided with a prescription or booked in to have an IUS, IUD or implant inserted.
Some pharmacies can provide the progestogen-only pill or the emergency pill without a prescription. If you want to explore some other options, you can also speak to a pharmacist for some general advice.
Free contraceptive pill consultations with Chemist 4 U
If you want to try the contraceptive pill, you can speak to one of our prescribers about which one might be right for you. Both the consultation and your contraception will be entirely free via our NHS Free Contraception service.
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