Contraception: Which type is best for me?
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended that more women should be offered longer-term contraception in a bid to cut unplanned pregnancies by 70,000 a year.
This would mean putting less women on the Pill and giving more of us the choice to have the contraceptive injection, an implant or the coil. It's also hoped that these options will reduce the number of teenage pregnancies as well.
However, campaigners are warning that this could lead to a rise in sexually-transmitted infections and more casual sex, as people forget about condoms - the only way to prevent catching HIV or AIDS.
A report out recently has also suggested that free condoms, pregnancy tests and chlamydia kits should be available through vending machines in pharmacies.
There are so many methods of contraception to choose from nowadays and it can leave you feeling a bit confused. And, just because one form of birth control works for one woman doesn't necessarily mean it'll work for you.
So which is best? Find out more about the most popular forms of contraception and where you can get them from by clicking on the links below:
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The Pill
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Condoms
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Contraceptive injections
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Implants
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The Coil
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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 next?
- More about sexually-transmitted infections
- Find out about post-birth contraception
- Tips for dealing with your doctor
- If you don't want to see the doctor, find out what the nurse can help you with
- Talking to your teen about sex and relationships
- Get the facts on all kinds of health conditions on our health pages
- Share your experiences of using different types of contraception with other goodtoknow users
- Next: Contraception: The Pill
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