Knowing Your Contraception Options

It’s no secret that your sexual health is important. Whether you’re in a committed relationship or not, it’s vital that you do everything you can to ensure you’re staying safe when you’re between the sheets. At this time of year, with holidays coming up, sometimes even us grown ups make bad decisions. With this in mind, it pays to know about your contraception options and the steps you can take to look after your body.  



Being safe and sensible

Having unprotected sex as well as leading to pregnancy, can put you at risk of contracting a number of potentially serious infections that can damage your fertility. It can even prove life threatening if left untreated. So if you want to keep your health and wellbeing in check, using a suitable method of contraception and being responsible is a must.

It’s also important that you know what to do in the event of unprotected sex. Whether you’ve forgotten to use contraception or your chosen method has failed to work, there are things you can do. To reduce your chances of falling pregnant, you can use emergency contraception. There are two different types available - the morning after pill and the coil, which is also known as the intrauterine device. Both work to prevent an egg from becoming fertilised or implanted in your womb. These types of contraception are time sensitive. The sooner they are used, the more effective they are likely to be. You can access and learn more about emergency contraception by speaking to your GP, your local pharmacist or visiting a trusted online source.

If you are on holiday there will be different policies regarding emergency contraception, I recommend asking at the local pharmacy for advice.




If you think you might have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it’s also a good idea to get tested. STIs can be passed between partners during unprotected intercourse, so to ensure you’re in the clear and to give you peace of mind, you may want to think about going for a test at your local doctor's surgery or sexual health clinic. You can also access certain STI tests from online pharmacies.

Choosing the right method

From the combined pill to the contraceptive implant, there are over 10 different types of contraception available, so you shouldn’t struggle to find a method that suits you. However, it’s important to realise that while all methods of contraception work to prevent pregnancy, condoms are the only type that can protect against STIs too. So to ensure that you’re fully protected, you should use a condom regardless of any other method of contraception you are using, unless you are in a long term monogamous relationship.

If you’re finding it difficult to figure out which type is right for you, you should speak to your GP. You may find that it’s a matter of trial and error before you discover the best method of contraception for you, your health and your lifestyle.

When it comes to contraception, it pays to be in the know so that you can make well-informed, sensible decisions.


*Guest post with sponsored content

20 comments

  1. I never knew the coil was an emergency contraception. I've just had one fitted and I had to have a pregnancy test because they won't fit it if there is a chance you might be pregnant. How strange!

    ReplyDelete
  2. a very informative and educational post. Thanks for sharing some many options. R

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very informative post! I'm on the implant :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such an important topic! I've just switched my pill, trying to find one that doesn't give me horrendous migraines and/or constant bleeding has been a struggle...

    Jess xo &#124 The Indigo Hours

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you need to try different methods to find out what works for you.

      Delete
  5. Definitely a very important topic. I have the contraceptive implant as I feel that it best suits my lifestyle x

    ReplyDelete
  6. For those in a committed relationship where STDs are not an issue (well...hopefully not) then the Persona machine is also a good contraception option and involves no chemicals. The amount of hormones entering the water table now and not being filtered out is a big problem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the information! It sounds an interesting option for some.

      Delete
  7. Such an important topic and one that needs to be discussed more often, I used to have the depo injection but came off that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's such an important topic and one I don't think is covered nearly enough. Especially as people don't realise just how many options there are!

    Kirsty

    www.kirstyralph.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think it is important to highlight this, because not everyone are very good at taken care of themselves. Great initiative to talk about this x

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is still a taboo in the country I came from. It was actually a new bill that allow its citizens to get contraceptions after long negotiations. This is an essential read. We all need to be educated and open after all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We do Jessica. It's sad that it is taboo in some countries. Education is important to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STD's.

      Delete
  11. This is a great blog post and is really useful. Thanks for sharing x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Brilliant post. We all need to be reminded about the importance of contraception and what our options are.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have tried two different types and I ended up going back on the pill. I had the implant for two years but it started giving awful side effects x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your body does change and what works for you at one point, may not at another in your life. That's why it is important to be aware of all the different methods out there.

      Delete
  14. A really useful post for anybody unsure about their options or new to contraception. I can't have the implant and I've reacted badly to quite a few types of pill so I really need to go back to my Doctor and see what he can do X X

    ReplyDelete