Contraception - meaning and definition
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Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
Contraception 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.
At a glance
- Methods can stop ovulation, block sperm, change the lining of the uterus or permanently block the tubes.
- Options include hormonal methods, physical barriers, devices, cycle tracking and sterilisation.
- Most methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections; condoms are the main exception.
- Many people switch methods several times over their lives as their needs change.
- In many countries contraception is free or low cost through public health services.
In detail
Contraceptive methods work in a handful of ways: they stop an egg being released, stop sperm reaching an egg, change the lining of the uterus, or permanently block the tubes that carry eggs or sperm. Some are hormonal, some are physical barriers, and some rely on tracking the menstrual cycle.
No single method suits everyone. People weigh effectiveness, side effects, health conditions, cost, how often they need to think about it and whether it also protects against infections. Many people change methods several times over their lives.
A clinician, pharmacist or sexual health service can explain the options and check which ones are medically suitable. In many countries contraception is free or low cost through public health services.
In a sentence
- The leaflet at the clinic compared every type of contraception on one page.
- We talked about contraception before things got serious, which made it feel much less awkward.
Where the word comes from
The word was formed in English in the late 19th century from "contra" (against) and "conception". Older phrases such as "birth control", popularised in the 1910s, are still widely used alongside it.
Not to be confused with
- Safer sex
Safer sex focuses on reducing the risk of infections; only some contraceptive methods, such as condoms, also do that.
Common questions
What is the most effective type of contraception?
Sterilisation and long-acting reversible methods such as the implant and IUDs are the most effective, at more than 99%, partly because there is nothing to remember day to day. The best method for any one person also depends on health, side effects and preferences. A clinician, pharmacist or sexual health service can help with questions about a specific situation.
Does contraception protect against STIs?
Most methods do not. External and internal condoms are the only contraceptives that also reduce the risk of most sexually transmitted infections, which is why many people use condoms alongside another method.