Contraception
Read on to find out more about different types of contraception and whether they offer any protection from STDs.
There are lots of different types of contraception available:
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Combined Oral Contraceptive - a combination of hormones
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Mini pill - a single hormone pill
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Long Action Reversible Contraception (LARCs) including:
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Injection
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Implant
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Intrauterine devices - commonly called ‘coils’
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Barrier methods such as:
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Diaphragm
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Cap
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Condom (male and female)
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The combined oral contraceptive contains the two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen. It works by:
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Preventing an egg being released from the ovary every month (ovulation)
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Making it harder for sperm to reach the womb by making the mucus in the neck of the womb thicker
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Reducing the chances of a fertilised egg implanting into the womb by thinning the lining of the womb itself
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By making the mucus thick to stop sperms from penetrating the womb
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Reducing the thickness of the womb lining which then reduces the chance of an egg implanting and growing
LARC stands for Long Acting Reversible Contraception. These are methods of contraception that don’t need remembering every day - like the pill - but are very effective.
The injection type of LARC needs repeating every 12 weeks whilst implants can stay in your arm for three years and ‘coils’ stay in from three – ten years depending which one the doctor fits.
You would still need to use condoms to protect you against the risk of an STD.
What are barrier methods of contraception?
Barrier methods of contraception include diaphragms, caps and condoms (male and female).
If my partner and I use condoms most of the time, do we need to worry about STDs?
Yes. You or your partner must wear a new condom with every single act of intercourse to help avoid catching some STDs. Only using a condom sometimes, or even most of the time, won’t protect you against STIs.
There are also some STDs that are spread through skin-to-skin contact so even wearing a condom will not always protect you from those. This is because the condom only prevents skin-to-skin transmission in a very limited area of the body.
What are my chances of getting pregnant if my partner and I use the withdrawal method?
Of every 100 women whose partners use the withdrawal method, 19 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Plus, the withdrawal method doesn’t offer any protection against STDs.
How can I get contraception?
Contraception advice and emergency contraception is available at any Whittall Street clinic and all our satellite services. Seven day a week contraceptive services are available at Boots where the Family Planning team and GU clinic work alongside each other and can advise you an all aspects of your sexual health.
There are family planning clinics at health centres throughout Birmingham where contraception is available.
