Involves predicting when you’re in the most fertile phase of your reproductive cycle, so you can avoid unprotected sex during this time. To work out when your most fertile phase is, you can monitor your body temperature and consistency of cervical mucus every day, as well as record the length of your menstrual cycle.

What are the pros?

• A natural method that does not rely on devices or prescription medicines.

What are the cons?

• With typical use, it is around 76% effective – to put it into perspective, around 24 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using fertility awareness
• Doesn’t protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Restricts your sex life as you must avoid having sex during your fertile phase if using this method alone, which can be up to 16 days
• Fertility signals can be affected by factors such as stress, illness and travel
• Requires time and planning – such as keeping a daily record of your fertility signals, and it can be difficult to evaluate temperature and cervical mucus
• The method must be learnt. It can take several menstrual cycles before you can determine your fertile time – so it cannot be used immediately

Relies on the withdrawal of the penis from the vagina before ejaculation.

What are the pros?

• A natural method that does not rely on devices or prescription medicines

What are the cons?

• With typical use, it is around 80% effective – to put it into perspective, around 20 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using the withdrawal method
• Doesn’t protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Interrupts sex
• Even if the penis is withdrawn before ejaculation, sperm released prior to ejaculation in pre-ejaculate fluid can make you pregnant

Involves an operation to cut, seal or block the fallopian tubes (which connect the ovaries with the womb) to prevent eggs from reaching a location where they can be fertilised. This type of birth control is intended to be permanent and is usually irreversible.

What are the pros?

• Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with around 1 in 100 people getting pregnant in their lifetime
• Allows you to enjoy sex spontaneously without worrying about getting pregnant
• Permanent (if that’s what you want)

What are the cons?

• Requires surgery – which can mean there is a small risk of infection or other complications, including internal bleeding and damage to other organs
• Doesn’t protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) – condoms or other barrier methods should be used as well
• Once the procedure has been performed, you can’t usually go back

Includes the male condom, female condom, diaphragm and cervical cap. As the name might suggest, they work by blocking sperm from reaching the egg – thereby preventing fertilisation.

What are the pros?

• Condoms are widely available and relatively easy to use
• Barrier methods only need to be used when you want to have sex
• Both male and female condoms protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• The female condom, diaphragm and cap allows you to manage your own birth control

What are the cons?

• Male condoms are around 82% effective with typical use (around 18 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year), and 98% effective with perfect use
• Female condoms are around 79% effective with typical use (around 21 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year), and 95% effective with perfect use
• The diaphragm or cervical cap are 71-88% effective with typical use (between 12 and 29 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year), and 92-96% effective with perfect use
• Condoms can tear or slip off during sex
• Oil-based products such as moisturiser and body lotion can damage condoms made of latex and polyisoprene
• Some people are sensitive or allergic to latex, and so will need to use condoms made of polyurethane or polyisoprene
• Condoms have a use-by date and must be stored where it is not too hot or cold, and where they can’t get torn or damaged
• With a diaphragm or cap: You may need to change size if you gain or lose weight, have a baby, miscarriage or abortion; you should not use a diaphragm or cap when you have your period; you need to use spermicide; they need to be left in place for 6 hours after sex; and they don’t protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sometimes called the copper coil, it is a small, T-shaped plastic and copper device that prevents pregnancy for 5-10 years. The copper is released into the womb, altering the cervix mucus to make it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg and survive and it also stops implantation of a fertilised egg.

What are the pros?

• Over 99% effective when fitted correctly by a healthcare professional, with fewer than 1 in 100 people getting pregnant in a year
• Allows you to enjoy sex spontaneously without worrying about getting pregnant
• Requires minimal administration, once fitted by your healthcare professional, it doesn’t need to be replaced for a number of years

What are the cons?

• The IUD needs to be fitted by a healthcare professional
• There is a slight risk of infection when the IUD is fitted
• There is a slight risk the IUD may move or be pushed out by your body, so you need to check yourself if it’s in place
• The IUD can make your periods heavier, longer or more painful, particularly in the first 3-6 months after it is fitted. You might also get bleeding between periods
• Doesn’t protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) – condoms should be used as well

Prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the birth control method you have used has failed – for example, a condom has split.

There are two types:

1. Emergency contraceptive pill (sometimes called the morning after pill) works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg (ovulation). You need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 3-5 days of unprotected sex for it to be effective – the sooner you take it, the better
2. Intrauterine device (IUD) or copper coil works by releasing copper into the womb to stop the egg implanting or being fertilised. The IUD can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated (released an egg)

The clue is in the name… emergency contraception isn’t meant to be used as a regular method of birth control and doesn’t continue to protect you against pregnancy. To be clear – if you have unprotected sex at any time after taking the emergency contraceptive pill, you can become pregnant.

Are there any side effects?

There are no serious or long-term side effects from taking the emergency contraceptive pill, but it may cause:

• Headaches
• Tummy pain
• Changes to your next period – it can be earlier, later or more painful than usual
• Feeling or being sick – always seek help from your healthcare professional if you’re sick within 2-3 hours of taking the emergency contraceptive pill as you may need another dose

For more information about your suitability to take emergency contraception, speak to your healthcare professional.