Contraception
Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Choosing and getting contraception should be simple and judgement-free. Our licensed UK clinicians can talk you through your options, check which methods are safe for you, and prescribe the right one — all from your phone or computer.
What Is Contraception?
Contraception is the use of methods or devices to prevent pregnancy. There are many different options, from daily pills to long-acting methods that work for years, and the best choice depends on your body, your health and how you live.
Methods fall into two broad groups. Hormonal methods — such as the combined pill, progestogen-only pill, patch, implant, injection and hormonal coil — use hormones to prevent ovulation or stop sperm reaching an egg. Non-hormonal methods include the copper coil and barrier methods such as condoms, which also protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Modern contraception is safe, effective and reversible for the vast majority of people. A short assessment with a clinician helps match you to a method that fits your needs and is safe given your medical history.
Side Effects to Be Aware Of
Many people have no side effects, and those that do occur often settle within the first few months. It helps to know what is normal and what needs medical attention.
- Irregular bleeding or spotting between periods
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Mood changes
- Mild nausea
- Changes in sex drive
- Temporary skin changes such as acne
- Calf pain, swelling or redness in one leg (possible blood clot)
- Sudden chest pain or breathlessness
- A severe or unusual migraine, especially with visual disturbance (aura)
- Severe abdominal pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Stop combined hormonal contraception and seek urgent advice if you develop a painful swollen leg, chest pain, breathlessness, or a sudden severe headache or migraine with aura — these can be signs of a blood clot.
Choosing the Right Contraception
There is no single best method — the right choice depends on your health, lifestyle and preferences. These are the main things to weigh up with your clinician when choosing.
Methods vary in how well they prevent pregnancy. Long-acting methods such as the implant and IUD are over 99% effective, while methods that rely on daily use, like the pill, are more affected by human error in everyday use.
Hormonal methods (the pill, patch, implant, injection) work by preventing ovulation or thickening cervical mucus. Non-hormonal options, such as the copper coil and condoms, suit people who prefer to avoid hormones.
Your daily routine matters. If remembering a pill at the same time each day is difficult, a long-acting method that needs no daily action may suit you better.
If you may want to become pregnant soon, methods that are quickly reversible — such as the pill or barrier methods — may be preferable. Fertility usually returns quickly after stopping most methods.
Most contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are the only method that also reduces STI risk, and can be used alongside another method.
Some health conditions and medicines affect which methods are safe for you. Your clinician will review your medical history to recommend suitable options.
Key Risk Factors
Assessment Before Starting Contraception
Before prescribing contraception, a clinician carries out a short assessment to make sure your chosen method is safe and suitable for you. This usually includes the following checks.
Contraception Options
There is a wide range of contraceptive methods, each with its own benefits. Some are taken daily, others last for months or years. Your clinician will help you find the one that suits you best.
Supportive Measures
Alongside your chosen method, condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections and can be used as back-up. Keep track of repeat prescriptions, attend reviews so your blood pressure and suitability can be re-checked, and know how to access emergency contraception if needed.
Switching or Stopping Contraception
It is common to change methods over time as your circumstances change. If your current contraception causes troublesome side effects, no longer suits your lifestyle, or you wish to plan a pregnancy, a clinician can help you switch or stop safely. Some methods need overlapping cover when switching to avoid a gap in protection.
When Should You See a Clinician?
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have signs of a blood clot — such as a painful, swollen leg, sudden chest pain, coughing up blood or severe breathlessness — or sudden severe abdominal pain. These are rare but serious and need immediate care.
Speak to a clinician promptly if you have missed pills and had unprotected sex, are experiencing persistent or heavy bleeding, have side effects that are affecting your daily life, or think your method may not be working. Emergency contraception is most effective the sooner it is used.
Getting the Most From Your Contraception
Whichever method you choose, a few simple habits help it work as well as possible and keep you protected.
Take your pill or use your method as directed every day or at the recommended interval. Consistency is the single biggest factor in how well daily methods work.
Know in advance what to do if you miss a pill or are late for an injection. Keep the patient information leaflet handy and ask your clinician if you are unsure.
Most contraception does not protect against STIs. Using condoms alongside your method protects against infections as well as pregnancy.
Attend your contraception reviews so your blood pressure and suitability can be checked, and your method changed if your needs or health change.
Know how to access emergency contraception in case of unprotected sex or a method failure. It is most effective the sooner it is taken.
Some medicines, including certain antibiotics and epilepsy treatments, can reduce how well hormonal contraception works. Always tell your clinician what else you take.
Getting Contraception Online
A licensed UK clinician can review your medical history, check your suitability and prescribe contraception such as the combined pill, mini-pill or patch in a confidential online consultation, delivered to your door. Repeat prescriptions and reviews can be managed remotely too — no waiting rooms, no awkward conversations.
Expert clinical advice, when you need it.
Contraception FAQs
Long-acting reversible methods — the implant and the intrauterine device or system — are the most effective, at over 99%, because they do not rely on you remembering to use them. The pill, patch and injection are very effective when used correctly, but everyday use leaves more room for error.
No. The pill and most other contraceptive methods only prevent pregnancy. Condoms are the only method that also protects against sexually transmitted infections, and can be used alongside another method for both purposes.
Yes. A licensed UK clinician can review your medical history, check your suitability and prescribe contraception such as the combined pill, mini-pill or patch through a confidential online consultation, with delivery to your door. Some long-acting methods need to be fitted in person.
For most methods, fertility returns quickly once you stop. The contraceptive injection can take longer — sometimes up to a year — for normal fertility to return. Contraception does not cause long-term infertility.
What to do depends on which pill you take and how late you are. Check your patient information leaflet, use condoms or avoid sex for the advised time, and consider emergency contraception if you have had unprotected sex. Your clinician or pharmacist can advise on your specific situation.
Yes. The progestogen-only pill, implant, injection and intrauterine methods are all safe to use while breastfeeding. Methods containing oestrogen are usually avoided in the early weeks. Your clinician will recommend a suitable option.
Emergency contraception is used after unprotected sex or method failure to reduce the risk of pregnancy. There are emergency contraceptive pills, which work best the sooner they are taken, and the copper coil, which is the most effective option and can be fitted up to five days afterwards.
Yes. You can switch methods if your current one does not suit you, but the timing and any need for back-up contraception depends on the methods involved. Speak to a clinician before switching so cover is not interrupted.