Most types of contraception are free in the UK and available to all men and women through the NHS and some young people’s services. This includes most GP surgeries and sexual health clinics. Many local areas also run a free condom scheme for people under 25.
Type: Contraception
Do I need to use a condom if I’m using another type of contraception?
Yes. Contraception is designed to prevent pregnancy but only condoms help protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is especially important when you have new or multiple partners. If you’re in a long-term relationship, you may wish to discuss this with your partner. Please note that we encourage the use of condoms to protect against STIs but not as the sole method of contraception. This is because the typical use failure rate is 18% so they are not as reliable as other forms of contraception in stopping unwanted pregnancy.
What is long acting reversible contraception (LARC) and why are they being recommended?
LARC are contraception methods that help protect you from an unwanted pregnancy for a longer period of time without you having to remember to use contraception every day or time you have sex. They include contraceptive injections, contraceptive implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and intrauterine systems (IUSs).
These methods are highly effective, you don’t need to remember to take them so they are very convenient and they last for several years. They may also give some health benefits, and some will stop or lighten your bleeds. If you change your mind and want to have a baby sooner than the method is due to expire, you can have it removed.
How can I decide which contraception method is best for me?
There are lots of methods available so you’ll need to think about what’s important to you right now. You’ll need to think about how often you want to remember to take it, whether it suits you and your lifestyle and how much you do not want to get pregnant right now (this may help you choose a method that has the lowest failure rates like the long acting reversible methods).
Some methods will also not be recommended for a variety of factors including your age, medical and family history, medication interactions, your body mass index (BMI) and if you smoke. Long acting reversible contraception or LARC are often recommended by medical professionals. They are totally reversible, won’t affect your fertility, are safer than the pill or condoms in preventing unwanted pregnancy, and last for up to 10 years. For more information on the different methods available and links to tools which can help you in choosing the right method for you, visit our contraception pages.