Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Contraception

Emergency contraception

Condoms burst, pills get missed or we have sex without a condom and regret it later. Luckily, it's possible to get emergency contraception that will work to stop pregnancy after you've had sex. However, emergency contraception should never be used as an alternative to normal contraception.

There are two types of emergency contraception.

A special type of oral pill is available from doctors, community pharmacies and family planning clinics. These must be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex.

An Intrauterine Device (IUD) can also be fitted up to five days after having unprotected sex.

Both types of emergency contraception offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Find out more about emergency contraception on the NHS 24 website.

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Male condoms

Condoms work to prevent pregnancy by creating a physical barrier to stop semen from the man's penis entering the vagina. They can be up to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Male condoms offer the best protection against sexually transmitted diseases for both partners – but only if they're used properly. Every condom packet has an instruction leaflet inside – take the time to read it, especially if you start using a different type.

The biggest reduction in their effectiveness comes if you've been using alcohol or drugs.

Some people are allergic to natural rubber (latex) condoms but hypoallergenic vinyl versions are now available in most pharmacies and chemists shops and online.

Male condoms are also good for covering sex toys.

Condoms are available from vending machines in pubs and clubs, from chemists and other shops such as petrol stations, online stores or from your GP, family planning clinic or sexual health service (GUM).

Find out more about condoms at the NHS 24 website.

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Female condoms

Female condoms, or "femidoms" work in the same way as male condoms by creating a barrier against semen and other body fluids. It is thought they are up to 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.

They offer good protection against sexually transmitted infections.

The difference to male condoms is that that the woman puts them on rather than the man. They are also more expensive to buy than male condoms.

Some people find them harder to use, but this is often just because people are not so familiar with them.

They can also be used with sex toys.

One major advantage of using female condoms is that it puts the person wearing them in control – you don't have to rely on a partner using other protection methods properly.

Female condoms are available from good chemists, online shops or your GP, family planning clinic or sexual health service (GUM).

Find out more about condoms at the NHS 24 website.

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The pill

"The pill", the "minipill" or "combined pill" are oral contraceptives (drugs you swallow) that work to prevent pregnancy by changing the flow of hormones in a woman's body that control her periods. Used properly, they can be up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

They offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

For it to be effective in preventing pregnancy, you have to remember to keep taking the pill at the right times. Miss just one and you could get pregnant if you have unprotected sex. If you vomit after taking your pill, you might not be protected.

As with other drugs, the pill can have side effects – including reducing your sex drive. It might take a while trying different types of pill until you find one that suits you.

Find out more about the pill on the NHS 24 website.

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Hormone injections and implants

As with the various types of pill contraceptives, implants and injections work by changing the flow of hormones in a woman's body that control her periods. Injections are given into muscle, implants under the skin of the upper arm with a local anaesthetic. Both are given by a nurse or doctor.

Injections can be effective for up to twelve weeks, implants up to three years after which another injection or implant will be needed.

Hormone injections and implants offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Injections and implants are available from your GP, family planning clinic or sexual health service (GUM).

Find out more about contraceptive injections and implants on the NHS 24 website.

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Contraceptive patches

The contraceptive patch is very reliable and easy to use. You stick it on a part of your body and change it for a new one each week. It releases hormones into the body that work in a similar way to the combined contraceptive pill to stop you getting pregnant.

They offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

The patch is available from your GP, family planning clinic or sexual health service (GUM).

Find out more about contraceptive patches on the NHS 24 website.

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Intrauterine devices

Intrauterine Devices (IUD) work inside the womb (uterus) and stop a fertilised egg implanting itself properly where it can grow into a baby by releasing copper.

They are effective and last a long time (up to ten years) but offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

It needs to be fitted by a trained doctor or nurse at your GP surgery, local family planning clinic or sexual health service (GUM).

Find out more about IUDs on the NHS 24 website.

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Intrauterine systems

These are similar to an IUD but release a hormone into the womb instead of copper to prevent a fertilised egg implanting itself properly where it can grow into a baby.

It needs to be fitted by a trained doctor or nurse at your GP surgery, local family planning clinic or sexual health service (GUM).

They offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Find out more about IUS on the NHS 24 website.

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Caps and diaphragms

Caps and diaphragms work by fitting inside a woman's vagina to create a physical barrier to sperm entering the womb. They need to be used with a spermicide. Spermicide contains a chemical that damages and destroys the sperm in semen.

Diaphragms and caps must be fitted before sex and remain in place for at least 6 hours afterwards. If used properly with spermicide, they can be between 92% and 96% effective at preventing pregnancy.

They offer almost no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Find out more about diaphragms and caps at the NHS 24 website.

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Natural family planning

In natural family planning, a woman keeps a diary of her periods for a few months to find out when she is most and least likely to get pregnant. You can then avoid having sex or use other contraception methods when it's more likely she will get pregnant.

Natural family planning offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Find out more about natural family planning on the NHS 24 website.

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Female sterilisation

Female sterilisation prevents pregnancy by cutting, sealing or blocking the tubes that allow eggs to pass from a woman's ovaries into her womb. It requires a small surgical operation and is a permanent and effective way of preventing pregnancy.

Sterilisation offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Find out more about female sterilisation on the NHS 24 website.

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Vasectomy

Sometimes called male sterilisation, vasectomy prevents pregnancy by cutting, tying or blocking the tubes that allow sperm to pass from the testicles and out of a man's body through the penis.

Although it can sometimes be reversed, it doesn't always work, and so vasectomy needs to be carefully considered as it may prove permanent.

It is an effective way to prevent pregnancy by offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Find out more about vasectomy on the NHS 24 website .

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