Hormonal

• Combined Pill

  How it works	1 pill consisting of 2 hormones (oestrogen and progestogen) taken same time daily. Prevents egg being released.
  Advantages	Can reduce PMS and period pain. Does not affect spontaneity.
  Considerations	Not suitable for some medical conditions. If pill is taken more than 12hrs late extra precautions required.
  Reliability	99% if taken correctly.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.
  When to start	Always start with an active pill.
  When effective	After 7 days of active pills.
  Return to fertility	No evidence of delay.
  Post partum	Start 21 days after delivery or 6 weeks to 6 months after delivery if breast feeding.

• Contraception Implant (Implanon®)

  How it works	A small rod containing the hormone progestogen which is inserted under the skin in the arm by a doctor. Prevents egg being released. Prevents sperm reaching egg.
  Advantages	Lasts for 3 years.
  Considerations	Breakthrough bleeding. Possible weight gain.
  Reliability	99% effective.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.
  When to start	Start on day 1 to 5 of menstrual cycle. If on other contraception, start any time, but ensure that you are not pregnant first (confirm with a pregnancy test).
  When effective	7 days after insertion.
  Return to fertility	No evidence of delay.
  Post partum	Can be implanted anytime, if less than  21 days post delivery. Can be implanted anytime, if more than 21 days post delivery, but ensure that you are not pregnant first (confirm with pregnancy test). If breast feeding, can be implanted anytime if less than  6 weeks post delivery. If more than 6 weeks post delivery, ensure that you are not pregnant first (confirm with pregnancy test).

• Contraception Injection (Depo-Provera®)

  How it works	Progestogen injection. Prevents sperm reaching egg and egg being released.
  Advantages	Lasts for 12 weeks.
  Considerations	Periods can be irregular initially; possible breakthrough bleeding. Possible slight weight gain; delayed return to fertility.
  Reliability	99% effective.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.
  When to start	Start on day 1 to 5 of menstrual cycle. If on other contraception, start any time, but ensure that you are not pregnant first (confirm with a pregnancy test).
  When effective	7 days after injection.
  Return to fertility	Return to fertility
  Post partum	Can be injected anytime if less than  21 days post delivery. Can be injected anytime if more than 21 days post delivery, but ensure that you are not pregnant first (confirm with pregnancy test). If breast feeding, can be injected anytime if less than 6 weeks post delivery. If more than 6 weeks post delivery,ensure that you are not pregnant first (confirm with pregnancy test).

• NuvaRing®

  How it works	Vaginal ring containing both oestrogen and progestogen released from the ring and absorbed through the wall of the vagina. Prevents egg being released.
  Advantages	Low dose of hormones. Lasts for 4 weeks. Inserted for three weeks, remove for one week.
  Considerations	Possible slight weight gain and acne. Some medications can effect the reliability. Inform your doctor of your current medications frst.
  Reliability	99% effective if used correctly.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.
  When to start	Insert between day 1 and 5 of mentrual cycle, or any time as long as you can ensure that you are not pregnant at time of insertion (confirm with a pregnancy test). Insert ring for three weeks, remove for one week.
  When effective	7 days after first insertion.
  Return to fertility	No evidence of delay.
  Post partum	Can be inserted 21 days after delivery or 6 months after delivery if breastfeeding.

• Progestogen only Pill

  How it works	1 pill consisting of 1 hormone (progestogen) taken same time daily. Prevents sperm reaching egg.
  Advantages	For older women, those breast feeding, those who can’t take the combined pill.
  Considerations	Pills must not be taken 3 hours late, otherwise extra precautions required.
  Reliability	98% if taken correctly.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.
  When to start	Start on day 1 to 5 of pack.
  When effective	Immediately.
  Return to fertility	No evidence of delay.
  Post partum	If breastfeeding,  anytime if less than 21 days after delivery. If 21 days after delivery and no period, ensure not pregnant first (confirm with pregnancy test) If not breast feeding, start anytime if you can ensure that you are not pregnant (confirm with pregnancy test).

Barrier

• Diaphragm – Cap

  How it works	Dome of rubber placed over cervix to prevent sperm entering uterus. Spermicides required.
  Advantages	Only use during sexual activity.
  Considerations	Stays in place for 6 hours after sex.
  Reliability	92%-96% effective if used correctly.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.

• Female Condom

  How it works	Thin plastic sheath placed in vagina to trap sperm.
  Advantages	Only use during sexual activity.
  Considerations	Can reduce spontaneity.
  Reliability	95% effective if used correctly.
  STI and HIV Protection	Helps protect against STIs and HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, local family planning clinics.

• Male Condom

  How it works	Rubber or latex sheath traps sperm during sexual intercourse.
  Advantages	Readily available. Only use during sexual activity.
  Considerations	Can reduce spontaneity.
  Reliability	98% effective if used correctly.
  STI and HIV Protection	Helps protect against STIs and HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, chemists, supermarkets, local family planning clinics.

Intrauterine

• IUD (Multiload®)

  How it works	Copper device ftted in uterus. Prevents egg and sperm meeting.
  Advantages	Stays in place for up to 5 years.
  Considerations	May make periods heavy and/or may increase period pains.
  Reliability	98%-99% effective.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.
  When to start	Day 1 to 12 of menstrual cycle.
  When effective	Immediately.
  Return to fertility	No evidence of delay.
  Post partum	Can be fitted immediately if less than 48 hours post delivery or after 4 weeks post delivery if you can ensure you are not pregnant (confirm with pregnancy test).

• IUS (Mirena®)

  How it works	Small plastic device with progestogen ftted in uterus. Prevents egg and sperm meeting.
  Advantages	Stays in place for up to 5 years.
  Considerations	May make periods lighter.
  Reliability	99% effective.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.
  When to start	Day 1 to 7 of menstrual cycle.
  When effective	Anytime if you can ensure that you are not pregnant, other wise after 7 days.
  Return to fertility	No evidence of delay.
  Post partum	Can be fitted immediately if less than 48 hours post delivery or after 4 weeks post delivery if you can ensure you are not pregnant (confirm with pregnancy test).

• IUS (TT380 Slimline ®)

  How it works	Copper device fitted in uterus. Prevents egg and sperm meeting.
  Advantages	Stays in place for up to 10 years.
  Considerations	May make periods heavy and/or may increase period pains.
  Reliability	99.2% effective.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.
  When to start	Day 1 to 12 of menstrual cycle.
  When effective	Immediately.
  Return to fertility	No evidence of delay.
  Post partum	Can be fitted immediately if less than 48 hours post delivery or after 4 weeks post delivery if you can ensure you are not pregnant (confirm with pregnancy test).

Permanent

• Female Sterilisation

  How it works	Fallopian tubes closed – which prevents egg and sperm meeting.
  Advantages	For those who want a permanent method of contraception.
  Considerations	Small medical risk during procedure.
  Reliability	Over 99% effective.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	GP referral.

• Vasectomy

  How it works	Tubes carrying sperm closed.
  Advantages	For those who want a permanent method of contraception.
  Considerations	Must use alternative method of contraception until all sperm are non-active (takes up to 4 months).
  Reliability	Over 99% effective.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP referral.

Emergency

• Emergency Contraceptive Pill

  How it works	Prevents a fertilised egg implanting itself in the uterus lining.
  Advantages	Taken up to 120 hours after sex.
  Considerations	Lapsed time increases failure rate.
  Reliability	95% effective if taken up to 24 hours after sex.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, over the counter at pharmacies, GP, local family planning clinics.

• IUD

  How it works	Fitted to prevent egg and sperm meeting.
  Advantages	Fitted up to 5 days after sex.
  Considerations	May make periods heavy and/ or may increase period pains.
  Reliability	98%-99% effective.
  STI and HIV Protection	No protection against STIs or HIV/AIDS.
  Availability	Marie Stopes International, GP, local family planning clinics.