Safer Sex and Contraception Choices - from condoms to the pill
Safer sex means making sure you do your best to protect yourself from catching a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and the risk of unintended pregnancy.
There are many different contraception methods available to people in Coventry, and different methods suit different people at different times.
Contraception is free for men and women through the NHS.
You can become pregnant:
- Even if you have sex while standing up
- The first time you have sex
- Even if you have sex during your period
- Even if a boy withdraws (pulls out) before he comes
- If you forget to take your pill and don't use another form of contraception
- If the condom slips or breaks
Remember no form of contraception is 100% guaranteed to stop you from getting pregnant and only condoms; femidoms and dental dams can protect you from STIs.
To make sex extra safe and help protect yourself you can go 'Double Dutch' and use a condom with another form of contraception. (e.g. the pill, injection, coil or implant).
Condoms/Femidoms
Your best protection is to use a condom or femidom (female condom)…not just sometimes, but every time you have sex.
Condoms/Femidoms are the only form of contraception that can help protect you against both pregnancy and STIs (including Chlamydia, the most common STI amongst young people and against HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS).
Condoms are 99% effective - always follow the instructions given in the packet and remember:
- If they are not used properly they can split,
- Practising putting condoms on can help prevent failure,
- Oils/oil based products that come into contact with condoms can damage them e.g. Vaseline, baby oil, lipstick…Water based lubricants such as KY Jelly or Durex Play can be used,
- Always check the use by date and never use out of date condoms,
- Using 2 condoms at the same time isn't safe.
- A dental dam should be used to help protect against STIs when engaging in oral sex. (Available from One Stop Shop, Clinic in a Box & Terrence Higgins Trust).
Diaphragm/cap
Latex types are between 92% and 96% effective if used correctly. The diaphragm is a flexible latex(rubber) or silicone device used with spermicide and is put into the vagina to cover the cervix. This stops the sperm from entering the womb and meeting an egg.
Combined Pill
Over 99% effective if taken according to instructions. The combined pill contains two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. It stops ovulation, thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from meeting the egg and thins the lining of the womb to prevent an egg implanting.
Progesterogen-only pill
The proesterogen-only pill is 99% effective if taken according to instructions.
It contains the hormone progestogen, which thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm meeting an egg and thins the lining of the womb to prevent an egg implanting. In some women it can also stop ovulation.
Contraceptive Injection
The contraceptive injection lasts for twelve weeks and is over 99% effective. It releases the hormone progestogen slowly into the body. This stops ovulation, thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm meeting an egg and thins the lining of the womb to prevent an egg implanting.
Implant
Flexible tube put under the skin of the arm. Releases the hormone progestogen. It stops ovulation, thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm meeting an egg and thins the lining of the womb to prevent an egg implanting.
Intrauterine system (IUS)
A small plastic device which releases the hormone progestogen is put into the womb. This thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm meeting an egg, thins the lining of the womb to prevent an egg implanting and may stop ovulation. It is over 99% effective.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
This is a small plastic and copper device that is put into the womb and stops the sperm from meeting the egg or may stop an egg implanting in the womb.