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STAY PROTECTED

CATEGORIES OF CONTRACEPTION

LONG-ACTING

CONTRACEPTION

Are some of the most effective methods of contraception. They last between 8 weeks and 10 years and don’t depend on you remembering to take or use them to be effective.

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SHORT ACTING

CONTRACEPTION

Short acting contraceptives give day-to-day control and are taken daily, weekly, monthly or every time you have sex.

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PERMANENT

CONTRACEPTION

Is irreversible and suitable for people who are sure they don’t want more or any children.

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GET TO KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

There are 15 different methods of contraception available in the UK. Select an option to learn more

COMBINED PILL

 

Short acting method

Use daily
2 x hormone
91% effective

INTRAUTERINE SYSTEM – IUS

 

Long acting method

Use for up to 3–8 years
1 x hormone
99+% effective

EXTERNAL (MALE) CONDOM

 

Short acting method

Use every time
No hormone
82% effective

CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH

 

Short acting method

Use weekly
2 x hormone
91% effective

CONTRACEPTIVE RING

 

Short acting method

Use monthly (insert for 21 days only)
2 x hormone
91% effective

CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT

 

Long acting method

Use for up to 3 years
1 x hormone
99+% effective

CONTRACEPTIVE INJECTION

 

Long acting method

Use for up to 8–13 weeks
1 x hormone
94% effective

INTRAUTERINE DEVICE – IUD

 

Long acting method

Use for up to 5–10 years
1 x hormone
99+% effective

INTERNAL (FEMALE) CONDOM

 

Short acting method

Use every time
Hormone free
79% effective

DIAPHRAGM (USE WITH SPERMICIDE)

 

Short acting method

Use every time
Hormone free
92-96% effective

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING

 

Short acting method

Use daily
Hormone free
76% effective

PROGESTOGEN-ONLY PILL

 

Short acting method

Use daily
1 x hormone
91% effective

WITHDRAWAL METHOD

 

Short acting method

Use every time
Hormone free
76% effective

FEMALE STERILISATION

 

Permanent method

Permanent
Hormone free
99+% effective

MALE STERILISATION

 

Permanent method

Permanent
Hormone free
99+% effective

PP-UN-WHC-GB-0314 July 2025