Contraception

What is contraception?

Contraception, also known as birth control, is prevention of pregnancy that can be achieved in different ways.

• natural family planning – observing mucus and temperature
• withdrawal or abstinence
• barrier methods including condoms and diaphragm
• hormonal method such as oral pills, Implanon , hormonal IUDs, Depo Provera injections and Nuva ring. 
• sterilization (surgery), vasectomy (surgery)

Your choice

The choice of a particular method of contraception also depends on an individual woman's age, health, frequency of sexual activity, number of sexual partners, future pregnancy/plans to have children in the future, and certain medical conditions.  Therefore, always discuss with us about the choice of birth control method.
It is necessary to know that most birth control methods prevent pregnancy. However, no method of birth control offers complete protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

Natural planning method

Natural family planning or fertility awareness does not require medication, physical devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy. It involves monitoring different body changes such as basal body temperature or cervical mucus variations. Sexual intercourse is avoided around the time of ovulation.

Barrier methods

Barrier Methods are a common method that form a physical barrier to obstruct the sperm from entering a woman's uterus. Barrier methods include the use of:

• male condoms
• female condoms
• diaphragms
• cervical caps

Hormonal methods

Synthetic hormonal preparations containing oestrogen and progesterone that can be administered:

• orally (pills) -  Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill, Progesterone only pill (POP or mini-pill)
• implanted under the skin  – Implanon, 
• inserted in your uterus - IUD/Mirena/Kyleena
• injected into the muscle (injections) – Depo-Provera
• placed in the vagina (vaginal rings) – NuvaRing

Withdrawal method

Withdrawal method involves the complete removal of the penis from the woman's vagina before ejaculation.

Intrauterine device (IUD)

IUD are small devices made of plastic that is inserted into the uterus.  It can be non – hormonal (Copper) and hormonal (Mirena or Kyleena). 

Implanon

Implant containing Progesterone inserted into upper part of non dominant arm under local anaesthetic

Depo Provera Injections

Intramuscular injections containing large dose Progesterone and lasting 12 weeks.

Sterilisation

Sterilisation is a permanent solution and is meant for men and women who do not intend to have children in the future. Male sterilisation involves vasectomy, a surgical blocking of the vas deferens, the tubes through which sperm pass into the semen. Female sterilisation involves a tubal ligation, a surgical procedure that blocks the fallopian tubes which carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.