There are several methods of contraception available to both women and men.
These include barrier contraception, reversible options such as taking hormonal pills, taking hormonal injections, or inserting intra-uterine devices and non-reversible options such as a vasectomy or tubal ligation.
There are two main types of oral contraception or the pill – combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) or the progesterone only pill (POP)
The COCP is commonly taken for 21 days. For the next 7 days there are either no pills or placebo pills. In this one week a period/menses occurs
For the POP, the pill is taken daily without any breaks. Most women find some spotting initially but within 4-12 weeks the spotting has usually settled, and most women do not get any period or menstruation.
This injection is given every 12 weeks into the muscle in the arm or buttock.
The sub-dermal implant is a small device (about the size of a matchstick) which is implanted in under the skin of the upper arm. It is a progesterone-based contraception lasts up to three years
There two types of intrauterine devices (IUD) – these forms of contraception are inserted into the womb
Copper IUD - this is a copper-based device about the size of a 50 cent coin which can last up to 10 years
Hormonal IUS/IUD – is a progesterone-based T-shaped device, about the size of a 50 cent coin , which lasts up to 5 years
Emergency Contraception (EC) are drugs intended to disrupt or delay ovulation or fertilisation. The pill options are levonorgestrel EC and Ulipristal (Ella).
Emergency contraception can be taken up to 72 hours from the episode of unprotected sexual intercourse, but it is best taken within the fist 24 hours.
Emergency contraception does not prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Commonly used contraception is condoms which work through creating a barrier for the sperm.
Some condoms also come with spermicide to immobilize sperm.
Barrier protection can help prevent the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Other forms of barrier contraception include: female condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps and sponges.
A clip is placed along the Fallopian tube to stop the egg and sperm from meeting. Sometimes, during a C-section, women chose to have this done or to have a small part of their Fallopian tube removed.
A vasectomy involves cutting or sealing the tube that carries the sperm from the testicles to the penis. In some cases this may be reversible but it will not be easy procedure to reverse.
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