CONTRACEPTIVE OPTIONS
There are many options with pros and cons of each of them. Your doctor will recommend the best options based on your individual situation and prescribe the most appropriate option. Information here is to provide more details for you to understand the contraceptive options.
| What is it | Efficiency | How long | Positive | Negative | |
| Implanon | Implant into arm, inserted and removed by trained GP | 99.95% | 3 years | low dose hormone, low risks, prevent endometrial cancer | Bleeding pattern problems are common |
| Intra-uterine Device (Mirena, Copper) | Inserted and removed by doctor. Device occupy uterus and pregnancy hard to proceed and also slowly release hormons | 99.8% | 5 years | Less amount of hormones, prevention of blood loss and uterus lining overgrowth | Risk of procedure, less menstrual bleeding |
| Vasectomy | Performed by doctor | 99.85% | Permanent | no hormones or devices introduced | Risk of procedure, hard to reverse |
| Tubal occlusion by metal microinsert (Essure) | Hysteroscopic procedure | 99.8% | Permanent | Risk of procedure | |
| Female tubal ligation | Laparoscopic procedure under anaesthetic | 99.5% | Permanent | Risk of procedure and hospital stay | |
| Depo medroxyprogesterone acetate injection | injection | 94% | 3 months | no menstrual period, usually well tolerated, easy to administer | Long term use requires bone health check |
| Combined hormone vaginal ring (NuvaRing) | Self-insert, insert into vagina for 3 weeks, then 1 week break and then re-insert again | 91-99.7% | Once/month | Easy to use, superior cycle control (more stable hormone release, less breakthrough bleeding, can set up sms reminder (www.moderncontraception.com.au password = modern ) | Expensive |
| Combined oral contraceptive pill | “classic” pill | 91-99.7% | Once daily | Easy to use | Not effective if vomiting, diarrhea, interaction with other drugs etc |
| Progesteron-Only Pill | Mini pill (Micronor, Microlut, Noriday) | 91-99.7% | Once daily | If contraindicated estrogen – breastfeeding, cancer, migraines, smoker, obese etc | Exact same time |
| Diaphragm | Barrier in vagina | 88% | Each intercourse | ||
| Male condom | 82% | Each intercourse | |||
| Female condom | 79% | Each intercourse | |||
| withdrawal | 78% | Each intercourse | |||
| Fertility awareness | Calendar calculation | 76% | If regular menstrual period | Stress, illness, other factors may change ovulation day |
