Contraception Issues

Often simply referred to as ‘the pill’, this contraceptive contains artificial oestrogen and progesterone, the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries. It works by either keeping the egg and sperm apart or preventing ovulation. Depending on the type of pill, you may take tablets every day, or you may have a break for seven days to allow for a bleed. It is over 99% effective.

However, there are risks attached to the pill. It can cause temporary side effects such as mood swings, headaches and nausea, which may last for several months. It is common to experience breakthrough bleeding and spotting in the first few months of taking the pill.

The pill can increase your blood pressure and it has been linked to a heightened risk of serious health conditions, including breast cancer and blood clots.

Not all women can use the pill. If you smoke, or quit less than a year ago, and are over the age of 35, are very overweight, taking certain medications or have certain medical conditions, then your doctor will recommend an alternative to the pill.

An IUD is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into the uterus by a specially trained medical professional. Once in place, it can be left alone and you do not have to do anything else. If inserted correctly, it is more than 99% effective and can last for between five and ten years, depending on the type of IUD.

There are some risks associated with the IUD. There is a risk of pelvic infection within the first 20 days of the coil being put into place. There is also some evidence which suggests that an IUD makes you more prone to recurring thrush.

In some cases, your body may reject the IUD, expelling it or it may move out of place. If this happens, then there is a chance you may get pregnant. In very rare cases, it may cause damage to the uterus.

You may not be suitable for an IUD if you have an untreated STI or a pelvic infection, have unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex or have previously experienced any problems with your uterus or cervix.

Similar to an IUD, an IUS releases the hormone progesterone to prevent pregnancy. Depending on the brand, an IUS can stay in place for three to five years.

The risks are also similar to an IUD and include the possibility of pelvic infection, rejection  or damage to the uterus. Because of the presence of progesterone, some women can experience headaches, acne, mood changes and breast tenderness after having the IUS fitted. These usually settle with time. An uncommon side effect is the appearance of small cysts on the ovaries. These usually disappear without treatment, although in rare cases they may lead to complications such as ovarian torsion.

This small flexible plastic rod is placed under the skin in your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. It releases the progestogen into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy and lasts for three years. There is a risk of infection when the implant is put in place and there may be temporary side effects during the first few months, such as nausea, mood swings, breast tenderness and acne. It may also cause your periods to become irregular or even stop completely.

Some medicines can make the implant less effective, for example medications used to treat epilepsy, HIV and some antibiotics.

The contraceptive injection releases progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. It can last eight or 13 weeks, depending on the type used.

You may experience side effects such as acne, decreased sex drive, mood swings, headaches and hair loss and the duration and flow of your periods may change. Sometimes they may stop altogether. This change in menstruation may last for months after the injections are stopped.

If you choose to stop the injections, it can take up to a year for your periods to go back to normal. You may find it difficult to get pregnant during this time.