Explore your options

If you want to have sex without the worry of getting pregnant, you should consider using birth control

There are several different types of birth control – hormonal and non-hormonal – giving you a choice to suit your needs. Scroll through the table and click the icons to find out more before you speak with your doctor or nurse

Type

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

Typical use

Frequency of use2

illustration of the pill

Pill

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

99%

Typical use

91%

Frequency of use2

Daily

Patch

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

99%

Typical use

91%

Frequency of use2

WEEKLY

Vaginal ring

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

99%

Typical use

91%

Frequency of use2

MONTHLY

IUS

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

N/A

Typical use

98%

Frequency of use2

Every 3-8 years

IUD/Coil

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

N/A

Typical use

99%

Frequency of use2

Every 3-6 years
illustration of the hormonal implant

Hormonal implant

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

N/A

Typical use

99%

Frequency of use2

Every 3 years

Hormonal injection

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

N/A

Typical use

98%

Frequency of use2

Every 8-13 weeks

Male condom

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

98%

Typical use

82%

Frequency of use2

Ongoing

Female condom

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

95%

Typical use

79%

Frequency of use2

Ongoing

Diaphragm/ Cap

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

92-96%

Typical use

71-88%

Frequency of use2

Ongoing

Withdrawal/ Pull-out method

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

N/A

Typical use

80%

Frequency of use2

Ongoing

Fertility Awareness

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

N/A

Typical use

76%

Frequency of use2

Ongoing

Sterilisation

Effectiveness1

Perfect use

N/A

Typical use

99%

Frequency of use2

Permanent

What’s the difference between short-acting and
long-acting birth control?

Short-acting hormonal birth control uses progestin with or without a synthetic form of oestrogen to prevent pregnancy.1 Methods include the combined pill, progestin-only pill, patch and vaginal ring

illustration of a female doctor surorunded by choices of birth control

Long-acting hormonal birth control methods use progestin and can prevent pregnancy for up to three years.2 Methods include the hormonal implant, injection and IUS

illustration of a woman wearing a hijab looking at her phone surrounded by different choices of birth control

Your doctor or nurse will be able to assess your age, health, personal and family medical history,
smoking status and other lifestyle factors to help you make a decision tailored to your needs

Finding a birth control method that’s right for you might not happen the first time. That’s perfectly normal. It might take a few visits to your doctor or nurse to find an option to suit your body and lifestyle

What are progestins?

Progestins are synthetic hormones that are used in some forms of contraception because they mimic the effects of progesterone3

There are several different types of progestin.3 Some people find they suit some types more than others. Your doctor or nurse will be able to help find one that suits you best

Learn about progesterone and other hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle
illustration of a woman laying back on a sofa on her phone thinking about hormones

References

  1. NHS. How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/choosing-contraception/how-well-it-works-at-preventing-pregnancy/ Last accessed May 2025

  2. NHS. How contraception is used. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/choosing-contraception/how-it-is-used/ Last accessed May 2025

  3. Progestins. NIH. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563211/

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