Contraception
diaphragm; cap; contraception; barrier; sperm; spermicide; sexually; transmitted; infections; pill; condoms; withdrawal; IUD; STI; protection; sex; pregnancy; birth; baby; prevention; natural; family; planning; breastfeeding; breast; feeding; unsafe; unprotected; method.;
Contents
Contraception is when you take action to prevent a pregnancy. It's important to think about contraception and the type that best suit you long before you get intimate with someone - to avoid an unwanted pregnancy and to give you choice about when, or if, you're ready to be a parent.
Which contraception you chose may be based on your physical health, the type of relationship you're in, your cultural background, your values and beliefs, and what is available where you live. You could discuss these contraceptive choices further with a health professional.
Alert!
Most types of contraception do not prevent sexually transmitted infections. Condoms provide the best protection against STIs. Read the topics Safer Sex and Sexually transmitted infections to learn more.
Contraception choices
There are many different types of contraception. Some are controlled by a woman (eg. hormone contraceptive pills or injections), and some by a man (eg. condoms). Both partners are responsible for making decisions about sexual intimacy and contraception; communication is the key!
Here is a list of reliable types of contraception - see the Related Links for the topics that provide detailed information on each one:
- Condoms
- Contraceptive injection
- Diaphragm
- Emergency contraceptive pills
- Implanon
- IUD
- Natural family planning
- Sterilisation
- The Pill
- Vaginal ring
Unsafe sex and what to do
If you have had unsafe sex, such as sex without using any contraception, and it is possible that you may become pregnant, you need to work out what to do as soon as possible.
Emergency contraceptive pills (sometimes known as the morning after pill) are hormone pills that can be used by a woman who has had unprotected sex, to prevent pregnancy. The earlier after unprotected sex they are used, the more effective they are.
Emergency contraceptive pills are very effective if used within 24 hours after unprotected sex, usually effective if used within 72 hours (3 days) and often effective if used within 120 hours (5 days). See the topic Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) for more information.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding may prevent ovulation for several months. It is the most widely used way of spacing pregnancies in the world, since in many countries people cannot afford other forms of contraception.
- Ovulation is usually prevented while a woman is fully breastfeeding her baby (no infant formula and no foods other than breastmilk), but some women do become pregnant again even when they are fully breastfeeding their baby.
- Women usually start ovulating soon after other forms of infant feeding are introduced, such as when a baby starts taking solids.
- Women also often ovulate before they have their first period, so they have no warning that they are fertile again.
- It is suggested women take the mini pill (POP) or use a form of barrier contraception such as a condom, during this time to prevent pregnancy. See the topic The Pill for more information.
Spermicides (products that kill sperm) are important additions to using diaphragms, and can make condoms more effective. However, they are not effective on their own as contraceptives, nor are they of any using in protecting against sexually transmitted infections.
The withdrawal method
The withdrawal method is when a man withdraws his penis from a woman's vagina before he ejaculates, or 'comes'. This is meant to prevent sperm entering the vagina, reaching an egg and causing pregnancy.
This is not safe. Pregnancies often occur when withdrawal methods are tried.
- The penis produces some fluid ('pre-cum') after it becomes erect and before ejaculation. Often there is sperm in the pre-cum and this can cause pregnancy.
- Also, this method relies on the man judging when he is going to ejaculate, and it is quite common for a man to ejaculate before he withdraws his penis.
The withdrawal method does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Resources
South Australia
Australia
General
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).