Contraception
Methods for preventing pregnancy, how they work and how effective they are in everyday use. Talk to a clinician or pharmacist about what suits you.
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. Entries in this topic are written from public-health sources and are general information, not medical advice.
40 entries
No entry here matches that. Try the search at the top of the page.
- AbortionAbortion is the medical ending of a pregnancy, either with medication or with a procedure carried out by a trained clinician.
- AbstinenceAbstinence means choosing not to have sex, or particular kinds of sex, for a period of time, for personal, health, religious or other reasons.
- Barrier methodA barrier method is a contraceptive that physically stops sperm from reaching an egg, such as a condom, diaphragm, cervical cap or sponge.
- Basal body temperatureBasal body temperature is the body's temperature at complete rest, measured first thing in the morning, which rises slightly after ovulation.
- Breakthrough bleedingBreakthrough bleeding is unexpected light bleeding or spotting between periods or withdrawal bleeds, common in the first months of hormonal contraception.
- Cervical capA cervical cap is a small silicone cup that fits snugly over the cervix to block sperm, used with spermicide.
- Combined pillThe combined pill is a daily tablet containing an estrogen and a progestogen that prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping ovulation.
- CondomA condom is a thin sheath worn on the penis during sex that collects semen, helping prevent both pregnancy and many sexually transmitted infections.
- ContraceptionContraception is any method, device, medicine or behaviour used to reduce the chance of pregnancy during sex. Most methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- Contraceptive counsellingContraceptive counselling is a conversation with a health professional to explore contraceptive options and choose a method that fits someone's health, preferences and life.
- Contraceptive implantThe contraceptive implant is a small flexible rod placed under the skin of the upper arm that releases a progestogen and prevents pregnancy for about three years.
- Contraceptive injectionThe contraceptive injection is a progestogen injection given every 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type, that mainly prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation.
- Contraceptive patchThe contraceptive patch is a small sticky patch worn on the skin that releases an estrogen and a progestogen, changed once a week.
- Contraceptive spongeA contraceptive sponge is a small, soft foam disc containing spermicide that is placed deep in the vagina before sex.
- Copper IUDA copper IUD is a small T-shaped device with copper that is placed in the uterus and prevents pregnancy without hormones for five to ten years.
- DiaphragmA diaphragm is a soft, shallow silicone dome placed in the vagina before sex to cover the cervix, usually used with spermicide.
- Dual protectionDual protection means preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, most often by using condoms together with another contraceptive.
- Emergency contraceptionEmergency contraception is a method used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure to reduce the chance of pregnancy.
- Emergency contraceptive pillThe emergency contraceptive pill is a single-dose tablet taken after unprotected sex that mainly works by delaying ovulation.
- Fertility awarenessFertility awareness is a way of preventing or planning pregnancy by tracking body signs to identify the fertile days of the menstrual cycle.
- Hormonal contraceptionHormonal contraception uses synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, or progesterone alone, to prevent pregnancy.
- Hormonal IUDA hormonal IUD is a small T-shaped device placed in the uterus that releases a progestogen and prevents pregnancy for three to eight years depending on the type.
- Internal condomAn internal condom is a soft pouch placed inside the vagina or anus before sex to act as a barrier against pregnancy and infections.
- Lactational amenorrheaLactational amenorrhea is the natural pause in ovulation and periods that can happen with frequent, exclusive breastfeeding after birth, and it can be used as temporary contraception.
- LARCLARC stands for long-acting reversible contraception: methods such as the implant and IUDs that last for years but can be removed at any time.
- Latex allergyA latex allergy is an immune reaction to proteins in natural rubber latex, a material used in many condoms, gloves and dental dams.
- Male contraceptionMale contraception refers to methods used by people who produce sperm to prevent pregnancy, currently condoms, withdrawal and vasectomy, with hormonal and non-hormonal options in research.
- Medication abortionMedication abortion ends a pregnancy using medicines, usually mifepristone followed by misoprostol, rather than a procedure.
- Missed pillA missed pill is a contraceptive pill taken later than its allowed window or not at all, which can reduce protection against pregnancy.
- Pearl IndexThe Pearl Index is a measure of contraceptive failure: the number of pregnancies per 100 women using a method for one year of exposure.
- Pill-free intervalThe pill-free interval is the break of usually seven days, or the run of inactive tablets, between packs of the combined pill.
- Pregnancy testA pregnancy test detects the hormone hCG, which the body starts making after a fertilised egg implants in the uterus, in urine or blood.
- Progestogen-only pillThe progestogen-only pill is a daily contraceptive tablet containing only a progestogen hormone, taken every day without a break.
- SpermicideSpermicide is a gel, foam, film or pessary placed in the vagina before sex that contains a chemical which stops sperm from moving.
- SterilisationSterilisation is a surgical procedure intended to permanently prevent pregnancy, by blocking or removing the fallopian tubes or by cutting the tubes that carry sperm.
- Tubal ligationTubal ligation is a surgical procedure that blocks, seals or removes the fallopian tubes so eggs cannot meet sperm, providing permanent contraception.
- Typical useTypical use describes how well a contraceptive works in everyday life, including human error, while perfect use describes how well it works when used exactly as directed every time.
- Vaginal ringThe vaginal ring is a small, flexible plastic ring placed in the vagina that slowly releases an estrogen and a progestogen to prevent pregnancy.
- VasectomyA vasectomy is a minor procedure that cuts, blocks or seals the tubes carrying sperm from the testicles, providing permanent contraception.
- Withdrawal methodThe withdrawal method means the penis is pulled out of the vagina before ejaculation in an attempt to prevent pregnancy.