Contraception

The options available include:

  • Birth control pills

  • Contraceptive patches

  • Injections

  • Intrauterine device – Copper or hormonal/mirena.

Contraceptive pills:

For the last 60 years these pills have been used by millions of women worldwide. They are affordable, well tolerated by most women, and are highly effective.

Combined contraceptive pills

These pills contain oestrogen and a progestogen, and work by inhibiting ovulation thickening the cervical mucus and thinning of the uterine lining.

Mini-pills

These pills contain only one hormone – progestogen. This hormone prevents pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus. These pills contain oestrogen and a progestogen, and work by inhibiting ovulation thickening the cervical mucus and thinning of the uterine lining. This pill is particularly suitable for older women, and those who are breastfeeding.

Advantages of birth control pill:

  • Prevention of heavy painful periods

  • Improves acne

  • Reduces PMS symptoms

  • Reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer

  • Safe and effective in preventing pregnancy, if taken correctly

Contracepive patches:

  • These patches have the same constituents as a combined contraceptive pill – oestrogen and a progestogen. 

  • The medication is absorbed through the skin, with the patient applying the patch weekly.

  • This medication prevents pregnancy as it inhibits ovulation and makes cervical mucus thick and thins the endometrium/uterus lining. 

Injections:

Depo-provera is most commonly used. 

  • It is a long-acting progestogens injection administered every three months and is over 99% effective. 

  • This medication prevents pregnancy as it inhibits ovulation and makes cervical mucus thick and thins the uterus lining. 

  • It can cause irregular bleeding in the first few months of use, and over time this settles with very light or no menstrual periods. 

Implants - implanon:

  • Implanon is a subdermal implant, and it is the main product in use. it is a long-acting progestogen etonogestrel and provides effective contraception of over 99% for 5 years. 

  • This medication prevents pregnancy as it inhibits ovulation and makes cervical mucus thick and thins the endometrium. 

  • It can cause irregular bleeding in the first few months of use, and over time this settles with very light or no periods. 

Intra uterine devices (IUCD’s):

Copper IUCD’s:

  • This copper containing IUCD prevents pregnancy by its physical presence in the uterine cavity. Copper also prevents a pregnancy developing.  

  • This method is greater than 90% effective. 

Hormonal IUCD’s – mirena coil :

  • This coil has a long-acting progestogen levanorgestrel in its sleave. 

  • This hormone makes the womb lining thin and thickens the mucus at the neck of the womb. 

  • The additional hormonal effect and the physical presence of the coil in the uterus make this coil as effective as sterilization. 

You are also invited to establish care with Dr Annabelle Pollard. Please click here to make an appointment or call us.