1. Contraception: The facts
Sally B

2. Objectives By the end of the session you should be able to answer…
What is contraception?
Why is contraception important?
What are the different types of contraception?
- Advantages and disadvantages of each?
Sally R

3. What is contraception? The main objective: Other uses:
Methods and devices to avoid pregnancy
Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Other uses:
To improve heavy, painful or irregular periods
To improve bad skin – spots!
We are here to talk about contraception in the role of preventing pregnancies and protecting against STIs, however there are different uses for some forms of contraception.

4. Importance of Contraception
Reduced unintended pregnancies
Reduced abortion % of pregnancies in under 18’s result in abortion
Helps with family planning
Heath and social benefits
UK still has highest teenage pregnancy rate In Western Europe
Protection against STI’s – only condoms!
Sally B

5. Barrier contraception
Barrier contraception is simply the method of using a male or female condom to provide a barrier between the penis and vagina. Both must be put on before sexual contact in order to prevent pregnancy and to protect against STIs.

6. Male Condoms Covers the penis during sexual contact Advantages
Protection against STIs – oral/vaginal/anal sex
98% effective
Free at contraception clinics, sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries
Disadvantages
May split or slip off
Seen as an interruption to sex

7. Female Condoms - Femidoms
Inserted into the vagina before sexual contact
Advantages
Protection against STIs
Girls can take control of their contraception
95% effective
Disadvantages
May split
Can be bypassed during sex
Less available than male condoms
May be uncomfortable or noisy, or interfere with sex

8. Diaphragm and cap Inserted into the vagina before sex
Must be used with spermicide
Advantages
Girls can take control of their contraception
Disadvantages
No protection against STIs
Less reliable than other methods
Girls may be uncomfortable inserting
Not really recommended because they are less reliable than other methods.

9. ‘The pill’
There are contraceptive methods in the form of a pill that the girl must take every day, we will talk through these.

10. combined pill
Contains artificial versions of the female hormones to stop egg release (ovulation)
Taken by the female every day
Advantages
>99% effective if taken properly
It can be used to make periods lighter and less painful
It can sometimes reduce acne
Disadvantages
Missed pills = not effective
No protection against STIs
May cause some problems: mood swings, breast tenderness, headache, blood clots

11. Mini Pill Contains only one of the female hormones
Must be taken at the same time every day
Advantages
>99% effective if taken properly
Can be used in girls who can’t take the combined pill
Disadvantages
Missed pills = not effective
No protection against STIs
Irregular periods
May cause some problems: acne, mood swings, headache, breast tenderness

12. Long acting contraception
Lasts for a long time, no need to take a pill every day!

13. Implant Goes under the skin of the upper arm
Stops the release of an egg (ovulation)
Advantages
Lasts for 3 years
>99% effective
No need to remember to take a pill
Disadvantages
No protection against STIs
Irregular periods
May cause some bruising and swelling when inserted
They use what we call an ‘anaesthetic’ before they insert the implant, this numbs you arm to make it pain free. Normal fertility returns on removal.

14. Injection Injection containing just one female hormone
Usually given every 3 months
Advantages
Lasts 3 months each time
>99% effective
No need to remember to take a pill
Disadvantages
No protection against STIs
Irregular periods
Involves an injection!
May cause some problems: weight gain, acne, mood swings, headache, breast tenderness, bone thinning
The only contraception which truly causes weight gain!

15. Jaydess/Mirena coil
 Small T-shaped plastic device that’s inserted into your womb
Releases one female hormone
Advantages
Lasts 3/5 years
>99% effective
May help with heavy and painful periods
Disadvantages
No protection against STIs
Irregular periods
Uncomfortable and/or difficult insertion
May cause some problems: breast pain, acne, pain, infection, rejection
The coil can be difficult to insert in women/girls who have never been pregnant. Normal fertility returns on removal.

16. Copper coil
Small T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s inserted into your womb
Advantages
Lasts 10 years
>99% effective
Can be used as emergency contraception
No hormones
Disadvantages 
No protection against STIs
Irregular/heavy/painful periods
Uncomfortable insertion
Possible rejection, infection
Normal fertility returns on removal.

17. Other options

18. Everything else Vaginal Ring Contraceptive patch
Small, soft plastic ring that you place inside your vagina for 3 out of 4 weeks
Releases hormones to stop ovulation
Advantages: >99% effective, easy to put in, may make periods lighter and less painful
Disadvantages: no STI protection, girl may not feel comfortable inserting, same problems as ‘the pill’
Contraceptive patch
Sticky patch that goes on the skin for 3 of 4 weeks (every patch lasts for 1 week)
Advantages: >99% effective, easy to use, may make periods lighter and less painful
Disadvantages: no STI protection, may be visible, can cause itching/soreness of the skin, same problems as ‘the pill’
Both work in the same way as the combined pill.

19. Emergency Contraception

20. ‘The morning after pill’
Levonorgestrel within 3 days
ellaOne within 5 days
Copper coil
Within 5 days
Long acting - 10 years contraception
Don’t worry about the names, just go and get help ASAP!
Available from…
GP practice FREE
Sexual health clinics FREE
Pharmacy… beware you might have to pay!

21. Who am i?
Each table has several contraceptive methods. A statement will appear on the powerpoint and the table with the matching contraceptive will raise their hands.

22. I am a female protective barrier against pregnancy and STI’s…
Sally B

23. Female Condom
Sally B

24. I must be given every 12 weeks…
Sally R

25. Injection
Sally r

26. I’m the most popular choice of contraception in the UK…
Sally b

27. ‘the pill’
Sally b

28. I can last up for 3 or 5 years…
Sally r

29. Jaydess/mirena coil
While we are on the topic of LARC- go onto next slide with implant.

30. Not recommended… 1) Fertility Awareness 2) Withdrawal method
Don’t do it… not reliable! Talk through each method if students are unaware.
1) Fertility Awareness
2) Withdrawal method

31. Overview Other Barrier Male Condom Vaginal ring Female Condom Patch
Diaphragm/cap
Pills
Combined
Mini pill
Long Acting
Jaydess/Mirena coil
Copper Coil
Injection
Implant
Sally b

32. Where can I get it? Do I have to pay?
GP practice
Sexual health clinics
Pharmacy (emergency only)
Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16
If you're under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won't tell your parents (or carer) as long as they believe you fully understand the information you're given, and your decisions.

33. Conclusion •Lots of methods •Girls – pick the best one for you!
•Responsibility is on all parties involved
•Not all protect against STI’s
•It’s okay to say NO
Sally b

34. Want to know more? NHS guide to contraception