How It Is Used

How often you need to use it

You need to use some methods of contraception, such as condoms, every time you have sex.

Other methods can involve taking a pill every day, changing a patch every week or changing a vaginal ring every 3 weeks.

Some methods, called long-acting methods, can last for several months or years. Sterilisation lasts forever (it's permanent).

Every time you have sex

Methods of contraception you need to use every time you have sex are:

condoms
diaphragm
cap

Every day

Methods of contraception you need to take every day are:

combined pill (the pill)
progestogen-only pill (the mini pill)

Every week

Methods of contraception you need to change every week are:

contraceptive patch

Every 3 weeks

Methods of contraception you need to change every 3 weeks are:

vaginal ring

Long-acting methods

Methods that last for months or years are:

IUD (copper coil): 5 or 10 years depending on the type
IUS (hormonal coil): 3 or 6 years depending on the type
contraceptive implant: 5 years
contraceptive injection: 8 to 13 weeks depending on the type

Permanent methods

Methods that last forever are:

vasectomy (male sterilisation)
female sterilisation

How you use it

You can use, or take, some methods of contraception yourself after an initial appointment with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. With others, a doctor or nurse needs to give it to you.

Methods you can use yourself

Methods you can use yourself are:

combined pill
progestogen-only pill
contraceptive patch
condoms
diaphragm
cap
vaginal ring

Methods that a doctor or nurse gives you

Methods a doctor or nurse needs to give you are:

IUD (copper coil)
IUS (hormonal coil)
contraceptive implant
contraceptive injection

Contraception and sex

You need to put a condom in place immediately before sex. You can put a diaphragm or cap in a few hours before sex.

With other methods of contraception, you do not need to remember them every time you have sex.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Only condoms can protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV.

If you're at high risk of getting HIV you may be able to take a tablet to prevent HIV infection (called PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis). This does not prevent pregnancy.

Find out about pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
Photos: OutUK and LightFieldStudios.