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Contraception: Which type is best for me?

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3 out of 5 star rating (89 ratings)
Many men are using the wrong-sized condoms, which means they're more likely to split or slip off, according to new research.

If they do slip or split, you've got more chance of getting pregnant by accident or catching a sexually-transmitted infection. And, wearing a badly-fitted condom can actually reduce the pleasure of sex too!


You can buy condoms in all shapes and sizes - so make sure that your man is wearing the right one.

This is just the latest contraception story - it's in the news all the time, with new types of contraception being developed (soon there could even be a contraceptive pill for men) and studies into who is using contraception the least (apparently it's women in their 30s, 40s and 50s!).

And only a few months ago, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended that more women should be offered long-term contraception (such as the injection or the implant) to cut the number of unwanted pregnancies.

We know that contraception is a big issue for you - a recent poll on goodtoknow showed that 1 in 5 of you aren't using any - and that doesn't include anyone trying to get pregnant! There are so many methods of contraception to choose from nowadays and it can leave you feeling a bit confused. So, to make things easier - we've put together this straightforward guide to your contraception options. Find out more about the most popular methods and where you can get them by clicking on the links below:

- The Pill
- Condoms
- Contraceptive injections
- Implants
- The Coil
- Emergency contraception: The morning after pill
- What your family planning clinic can do for you

We've also got information about permanent and semi-permanent contraception including vasectomy and hysterectomy.

To find out more information about other types of contraception, visit the Family Planning Association's website.

Where to next?

- More about sexually-transmitted infections
- Find out about post-birth contraception

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