Contraception - Your Choice
Contact Family Planning for detailed information on any of these methods
Method What is it? Chance of Health Advantages Disadvantages
How does it work? getting pregnant concerns
LONG ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTION
IMPLANT • progestogen is released
from rods put under the skin
of the arm
• by thickening mucus in
cervix. May stop ovaries
from releasing an egg each
month
INTRA UTERINE • put inside the uterus
• 2 types - Copper IUD or
DEVICE progestogen-releasing
- IUD IUD (Mirena or Jaydess)
• stops sperm reaching an
egg
HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION
DEPO PROVERA • an injection of progestogen
• stops ovaries from
releasing an egg each
month
COMBINED ORAL • pill made of 2 hormones,
oestrogen and
CONTRACEPTIVE progestogen
PILL • stops ovaries releasing
an egg each month
PROGESTOGEN • pill made of 1 hormone –
progestogen
ONLY • by thickening mucus
PILL in cervix and may stop
ovaries from releasing an
egg each month
BARRIERS
MALE CONDOM • a thin rubber barrier
• fits over erect penis
and catches sperm on
ejaculation
• best used with water-
based lubricant
FEMALE CONDOM • a thin polyurethane barrier
• goes into the vagina
and catches sperm on
ejaculation
FERTILITY AWARENESS
FERTILITY • body temperature, cervical
mucus and periods
AWARENESS checked. These body
signs show when you are
more likely to get pregnant
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
EMERGENCY • Emergency Contraceptive
Pills (ECP) or copper IUD
CONTRACEPTION used after unprotected
sexual intercourse
• delays ovulation or stops
sperm reaching an egg
PERMANENT CONTRACEPTION
VASECTOMY & • permanent contraception
• an operation
TUBAL LIGATION • vasectomy – tubes cut to
stop the sperm getting to
the penis
• tubal ligation – clips put
on tubes to stop the egg
getting to the uterus
• less than 1 in 100 • no serious risk • lasts 5 years • irregular bleeding which often
• fit and forget gets better with time and can be
• useful for those who can’t take controlled with medication
the combined pill or who might
forget pills or appointments
• less than 1 in 100 • very small chance of • can stay in place for 3 years or more • needs to be inserted by an
pelvic infection when • fit and forget experienced doctor or nurse
IUD put in • doesn’t interfere with sexual • Copper IUDs may cause heavier
intercourse periods or cramping
• progestogen-releasing IUDs – • Progestogen-releasing IUDs
lighter periods or no period at may cause irregular bleeding in
all, suitable for those with heavy the first few months
periods
• typically 3 in 100 • no serious concerns • one injection lasts 12 weeks • irregular bleeding, no periods or
but less than 1 in • doesn’t interfere with sexual occasional heavy bleeding
100 if next injection intercourse • periods and fertility take an
given on time • usually no periods average of 6 months to return
• useful for people who can’t take after stopping the injection
combined pill • weight may change
• typically 8 in 100 but • very small chance • simple and easy to take • should not be used by people
less than 1 in 100 if of blood clots, heart • doesn’t interfere with sexual over 35 who smoke
used perfectly attacks and strokes. intercourse • must remember to take it daily
More likely in people • periods usually regular, shorter, • may have irregular bleeding
over 35 who smoke, lighter and less painful
are overweight or • less chance of cancer of lining
have a family history of the uterus or ovaries
of these conditions • can be taken up to menopause
• very slight increased if a healthy non smoker
risk of cervical cancer
• typically 8 in 100 but • no serious risk • doesn’t interfere with sexual • may have irregular bleeding
less than 1 in 100 if intercourse
used perfectly • can be used at any age
• can be used when breast-feeding
• useful for those who can’t take
combined pill
• typically 15 in 100 • none known • easy to use and carry • some people are allergic to rubber
but 2 in 100 if used • used only when needed • must be put on when penis is erect
perfectly every time • helps protect against STIs and before sexual intercourse
• failure rate increases • available from Family Planning • some people say it reduces sexual
with oil-based clinics and other health care feeling
lubricant or some anti providers • can slip off or break
thrush creams • can buy from pubs, clubs,
pharmacies and many shops
• cheaper on prescription
• typically 21 per • none known • helps protect against STIs • relatively expensive
100 but 5 per 100 • gives user choice and control • can only buy them online
if used perfectly • easy to use • need to insert every time
• typically 25 per 100 • none • after learning method, no • expert instruction needed to learn
but can be 3 per 100 further costs or visits to health method
if used perfectly professionals required • no sexual intercourse during fertile
• helps you understand how your time
body works • must chart temperature and cervical
mucus daily
• body signs can be difficult to
recognise and may vary
• ECP – 2 per 100 for • ECP – none known • reduces chance of pregnancy after • ECP should be taken within
those of average • IUD – risk of pelvic unprotected sexual intercourse 72 hours of unprotected sexual
weight, may be infection if user has • ECP – can be used up to 72 intercourse
higher if heavier STI hours after unprotected sexual • double dose needed for those who
• IUD – less than 1 intercourse are heavier. Failure rate may be
per 100 • can get ECP for future use higher
• can be used if other method fails, • IUD needs to be fitted by an
eg. broken condom or missed pill experienced doctor or nurse and can
• can buy from pharmacies be uncomfortable
• less than 1 per 100 • vasectomy – rare • one operation only • not easily reversible
possibility of long- • permanent • requires an operation
term scrotal pain • may have short term side effects,
• tubal ligation – eg. pain, bruising
very slight risk from
reaction to anaesthetic
or damage to internal
organs
© Family Planning 2018. Updated July 2018.
 Contraception Your Choice

familyplanning.org.nz
© Family Planning 2018. Updated July 2018.
TE ĀRAI HAPŪ - KEI A KOE TE TIKANGA
1. IUDs, implants and vasectomy or tubal ligation are the most effective
contraceptives.
2. There are many options for you to choose from.
3. Every method has advantages and disadvantages.
Comparing typical effectiveness of contraceptive methods
More effective VASECTOMY INTRA UTERINE
How to make your method
IMPLANT
less than 1 pregnancy & TUBAL LIGATION DEVICE - IUD most effective
per 100 users in
one year
After procedure, little or nothing to do or
remember.
Vasectomy: Use another method for first
3 months.
DEPO PROVERA COMBINED ORAL PROGESTOGEN Depo Provera: Get repeat injections on time.
CONTRACEPTIVE ONLY PILL
6-12 pregnancies per PILL Pills: Take a pill every day.
100 users in one year
Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill: Take a
hormone pill every day without a break.
FEMALE CONDOM MALE CONDOM FERTILITY
AWARENESS
Condoms: Use correctly every time you
have sex.
18 or more pregnancies Fertility awareness: Abstain or use
per 100 users in one year
condoms on fertile days.
WITHDRAWAL: penis withdrawn before ejaculation.
Less effective