Sexual Health Information

How reliable is it?

• For the first year of use less than 1 women in 100 wll get pregnant.
• Over the 5 years about 2 women in a 100 will get pregnant.

How it works

• Implants are small soft tubes which are placed under th skin of the inner upper arm. They steadily release a progestogen hormone into the blood stream to prevent the sperm and egg meeting.

Advantages

• Can provide contraception for up to 5 years.
• When implant is taken out a women’s normal level of fertility will return immediately.

Disadvantages

• Periods are often irregular for at least first year,with some bleeding in between, or may be missed.
• Other less common side-effects including headaches, acne, nausea, breast tenderness and weight gain.

Comments

• Implant is put in under a local anaesthetic. This takes about 10 minutes and no stitches are needed. The area may be tender for a day or two with bruising and some swelling.
• Most women can feel the implant, but it can’t be seen.
• Removal is sometimes difficult

How reliable is it?

• Less than 1 women in a 100 will get pregnant in a year.

How it works

• An injection releases the hormone progestogen very slowly into the body which stops ovulation.

Advantages

• an injection last for 2 months(Noristerat) or 3 months (Depo-Provera).
• May protect against cancer of the womb.

Disadvantages

• Periods often become irregular or stop. Regular periods and fertility may take a year or more to return after stopping the injections.
• Some women gain weight.

Comments

• The injection works for either 2 or 3 months. It cannot be removed from the body so any unwanted effects may continue during this time.

How reliable is it?

• With carefull use 1 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year.
• With less careful use 4 or more women in a year will get pregnant.

How it works

• The hormone progestogen taken at the same time each day, causes changes making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb or for the womb to eccept a fertilised egg. in some women in prevents ovulation

Advantages

• Useful for older women who smoke and women who cannot use the combined pill.
• Can be used when breastfeeding.

Disadvantages

• May be temporary minor side-effects
• Periods may be irregular, with some bleeding in between or be missed.
• Maybe less effective in women who weight over 70kg (11stone).

Comments

• Not reliable if taken over 3hours late or after vomiting or severe diarrhoea, unless an extra method is used
• Some drugs stop the pill working - a doctor or pharmacist can advise.

How reliable is it?

• With careful use less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year.
• With less careful use 3 or more women in 100 will get pregnant in a year.

How it works?

• contains two hormones-oestrogen and progestogen-which stop a women releasing an egg each month(ovulation).

Advantages

• often reduces bleeding, period pain and pre-menstrual tension.
• protects against cancer of the ovary and womb and some pelvic infections.
• suitable for healthy non-smokers up to the menopause.

Disadvantages

• May not be suitable for some women. A full medical history should be taken
• May be temporary minor side-effects.
• Not suitable for smokers over 35 or for women who are breastfeeding.

Comments

• Notreliable if taken over 12 hours late or after vomiting or severe diarrhoea,unless an extra metod is used.
• Some drugs may stop the pill working-a doctor or pharmacist can advice.
• Pill users should try not to smoke