How can you prevent a future unwanted pregnancy?

• If you are sexually active and do not want to get pregnant, always use family planning.

• No method of family planning is 100% effective.

• The most effective family planning methods are the IUD and the implant

• The condom is the only method that protects from sexually transmitted infections (STI's).

The Copper IUD (loop)- 99% effective

is a small device shaped like a T which is placed in your uterus by a doctor or nurse, once it is inserted you will not feel it. Part of the IUD is made of copper which makes it hard for the sperm and egg to attach to each other and to the womb. You can use it for 5 years or take it out when you want to get pregnant. An IUD is one of the most effective methods and has no hormones in it.

Side effects include heaver period and period cramps, but this usually decreases with time.

You should not have an IUD inserted if you have

- An untreated STI (HIV is no problem)

- Unexplained vaginal bleeding

- A very heavy or painful period

The Hormonal-IUD- >99% effective

is also an IUD but contains progestin. It prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation, stopping sperm from reaching the womb, and by thinning the wall of the womb so that it cannot receive a pregnancy. Most women experience lighter periods or no periods so it can be used to treat women with heavy periods. This IUD is often at your own cost.

In addition to the above cautions, you should not take the Hormonal IUD if you have:

-        Unexplained vaginal bleeding

-        Active liver disease

-        Ongoing breast cancer

The Implant- >99% effective

is a thin rod placed under the skin of the upper arm by a doctor or nurse, and contains a progestin hormone. You can use it for 3 years, or take it out when you want to get pregnant. It prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching the womb and by thinning the wall of the womb so that it cannot receive a pregnancy. Some women have their period when they use the implant, some have irregular periods and some have no periods at all.

Side effects include menstrual cycle changes, weight gain, breast tenderness.

You should NOT get the implant if you have:

-        Unexplained vaginal bleeding

-        Active liver disease

-        Ongoing breast cancer

The combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill -91% effective

contains estrogen and progestin hormones. The pill prevents ovulation. You have to take the pills every day and they do not work if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. Side effects of the pill can be nausea, headache, breast tenderness, weight gain, irregular bleeding, and depression.

You should also NOT use oral contraceptives if you h

1. Migraines with aura

2. Thrombosis in your leg or lung

3. Severe liver disease, severe diabetes, breast cancer, epilepsy, heart infarction or stroke

4. Or a combination of two of the following:

• Are over 35 years old
• Are smoking more than 15 cigarettes/day.
• Have diabetes
• Have hypertension
• Are very overweight

*The use of the following medicines can make the contraceptive pill less effective: Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, primidone, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, Lamotrigine) and the antibiotic Rifampicin.

The Progestin Only Pill (POP) 91% effective

is a pill that contains only one hormone (progestin) and you take it every day. It prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching the womb and by thinning the wall of the womb so that it cannot receive a pregnancy. The most common side effects are irregular bleeding and spotting, weight gain, mood swings, loss of sexual appetite. Most of these side effects become less with time. Some women have their period when they take the POP, some have irregular periods and some have no periods at all.

You should not take the POP if you have:

-        Unexplained vaginal bleeding

-        Active liver disease

-        Ongoing breast cancer

The injectable -94% effective

is given by a doctor or nurse in your arm or buttock every 2-3 months. It contains a progestin hormone. It prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation, stopping sperm from reaching the womb, and by thinning the wall of the womb so that it cannot receive a pregnancy. Your period often becomes irregular and sometimes even absent.

The injectable contains a similar hormone to the progestin-only pill and the implant but at a higher dose which makes the side effects more common and more severe. The most common side effects are headaches, hair loss, sweating, irregular bleeding, depression, acne, weight gain, mood swings, loss of sexual appetite and loss of bone density. Some of these side effects become less with time. After stopping the injectable it can take time for your period to return.

You should NOT take the injectable if you have:

-        Unexplained vaginal bleeding

-        Active liver disease

-        Ongoing breast cancer

Emergency Contraception 75% effective

is a pill that must be taken within 3 days of unprotected sex to be effective. It prevents an unplanned pregnancy by stopping ovulation. The “morning after pill” makes it much less likely you will get pregnant. But it is not as effective as regular family planning. The most common side effects of the morning after pill are: nausea, dizziness, headache, painful breasts and bleeding before the next expected menstruation.

The copper IUD will also work as emergency contraception if it is inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex.

Female sterilization is done surgically. The tubes are ligated, preventing the egg-cells from encountering the sperm cells and preventing any future pregnancies. It is a permanent form of contraception.

The female condom is made of soft rubber and can be used only once. It is inserted easily into the vagina before sex and prevents direct vaginal contact with semen, infectious genital discharges, and genital lesions Condoms are the most effective method for reducing the risk of infection from the viruses that cause AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s).

The diaphragm is a rubber disk with a flexible rim that covers the cervix and must be used together with spermicide. It is available by prescription only and must be fitted for size by a health professional. The diaphragm protects for six hours and should be left in place for at least six hours after intercourse but not for longer than a total of 24 hours.

Male condoms are usually made from latex rubber and can be used only once. Some have spermicide added to kill sperm. They act as a mechanical barrier, preventing direct vaginal contact with semen, infectious genital discharges, and genital lesions. Condoms are the most effective method for reducing the risk of infection from the viruses that cause AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s). It is important to put a condom on properly before intercourse

Male sterilization, also known as a vasectomy, is a quick operation performed under local anesthesia with possible minor post-surgical complications, such as bleeding or infection. The ability to get an erection and an ejaculation do not disappear. The sperm cells are just a very small part (1%) of the fluid and a man will not notice any difference in ejaculation. The body will absorb the sperm cells.

Rates of Effectiveness of Different Contraceptives: