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Key Facts about Contraception
There are many types of contraception available, you need to find what works for you. No method is 100% effective. If you don't use contraception, you could get pregnant.
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Your Contraceptive Choices
If you’re having sex and you don’t want to get pregnant, you need to use contraception. Contraception is also called birth control or family planning.
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Contraceptive Barriers
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Condom (Male)
Condoms are available from pharmacies, family planning clinics, supermarkets, petrol stations as well as university and hotel vending machines. All condoms purchased from these outlets meet Australian safety standards, but internet purchases may not.
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Diaphragms
A diaphragm acts as a barrier method of contraception. It fits inside a woman’s vagina and covers the cervix (entrance to the womb) to stop sperm from meeting and fertilising an egg.
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Condom (Female)
The female condom is a barrier method of contraception that fits all women and suits all ages. It offers women and men an alternative to the male condom. Studies have shown that, if used the right way, the female condom is effective in preventing an unintended pregnancy and giving protection from sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
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Daily Contraceptive Pills
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Contraceptive Pill
The combined pill is often referred to as ‘the Pill’. It is made from two synthetic hormones, oestrogen and progestogen, which are similar to naturally occurring oestrogen and progesterone made by the ovaries.
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The Mini Pill
The mini pill is made from only 1 hormone called progestogen. Each pack has 28 mini pills (there are no sugar pills).
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Emergency Contraception
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Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
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LARC Overview
Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) will stop you getting pregnant for a number of months or years.There are three types of LARC that you can use.
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Contraceptive Implants (Implanon)
Implanon is a contraceptive rod containing the hormone etonogestrel, which is similar to the naturally occurring hormone progesterone, made by a woman’s ovaries. It is about the size of a match – four centimetres long and two millimetres wide.
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Contraceptive Injection (Depo)
Depo is short for Depo-Provera® or Depo-Ralovera®. It contains a hormone that is similar to the naturally occurring progesterone made by a woman’s ovaries.
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Intrauterine Device (IUD) Contraception
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small contraceptive device that is put into the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy. The two types available in Australia are the copper IUD and the hormonal IUD (MirenaTM).
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Contraceptive Injection for Men
Contraceptive injections for men are not yet available in Australia, but clinical studies suggest that the combination of the hormones testosterone and progesterone may provide a safe, effective and reversible method of male contraception in the future.
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Other Contraceptive Methods
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Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning (NFP) refers to noticing the physical changes that happen during your menstrual cycle so you know when to avoid having sex and can reduce your risk of becoming pregnant. You can also use it to find out the best time to have sex to maximise your chances of becoming pregnant.
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Tubal Ligation (Sterilisation)
Sterilisation is a permanent method of contraception that a woman can choose if she is sure that she does not want children in the future. The two main sterilisation procedures are tubal ligation and tubal occlusion. Tubal occlusion does not involve having surgery.
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Vasectomy
Vasectomy is an operation that is done to sterilise a man. It is a permanent method of contraception that involves cutting and blocking the tubes in the groin (the vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis.
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NuvaRing (Vaginal Ring)
The vaginal ring is a type of contraception that works in a similar way to the oral contraceptive pill to prevent pregnancy. A soft, flexible ring is worn inside the vagina for three out of every four weeks.
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Postnatal Contraception
After having a baby, using an effective method of contraception such as a contraceptive implant or intrauterine device (IUD) will help in preventing an unplanned pregnancy.
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In this section
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Topics
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Abortion
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Contraception
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People with a Disability
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Pregnancy
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Reproductive and Sexual Health
- Breast Health
- Cervical Health
- Endometriosis
- Epididymitis
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Fibroids
- Libido
- Masturbation
- Menopause
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Menstrual Conditions
- Menstrual Cycle
- Molloscum Contagiosum
- Pap Smear Test (Cervical Screening)
- Puberty
- TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome)
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vulval Health
- Teenage Health
- Cervical Screening (formerly Pap Smear Tests)
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Sex and the Law
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Sexual Diversity
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Sexually Transmissible Infections & Blood Borne Viruses
- STI & BBV: Get the Facts
- STI & BBV Testing: What to Expect at FPV
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
- Chlamydia
- Genital Herpes
- Genital Warts
- Gonorrhea/Gonorrhoea
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
- Mycoplasma Genitalium
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
- Tattoos and Body Piercing
- Tattoos and Body Piercing Safety Checklist
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Talking About Sex
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Resources