 |
The infection A2Z web series:
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
Contraception |
|
Government resources on contraception |
|
Websites with general information on contraception |
| |
Family planning organisations |
|
Other on-line resources for healthcare workers |
|
On-line textbook |
|
 |
Contraception
A contraceptive aims to prevent or decrease the likelihood of conception. There are many types of contraceptive available, all with different levels of reliability, acceptability and permanence.
The choice of contraception is influenced by factors such as the motivation of a couple, the degree to which they see contraception interfering with intercourse, the relative risks of the different methods, and religious or cultural beliefs. Hormonal, intrauterine and barrier methods, such as the diaphragm, require medical supervision, whilst "natural" methods and other barrier methods, such as the condom or vaginal sponge, may be used without medical supervision. Advice and provision of contraception is free on the NHS.
There are many issues surrounding contraception, such as age of consent, parental consent and confidentiality for minors, moral objections to specific types of contraceptive (e.g. emergency contraception), prevention of sexually transmitted infections and abortion.
Below is a list of the types of contraceptives available, classified according to their modes of action.
“Natural” methods
(periodic abstinence) |
Lactational amennorhoea method
|
|
| Natural family planning (e.g. rhythm method) |
|
Coitus interruptus
(withdrawal method) |
(not generally regarded as a feasible method of contraception) |
|
|
| Hormonal methods |
Oral contraceptive |
Combined oral contraceptive (COC, “the pill”)
|
Progestogen-only pill (POP, minipill)
|
Injectable contraceptive
|
|
Contraceptive implant
|
Contraceptive patch
|
| Contraceptive vaginal ring |
|
| Intrauterine methods |
Inactive intrauterine device (IUD, coil)
|
|
| Active intrauterine device |
Copper coil
|
| (or intrauterine system) |
Intrauterine progestogen-only contraceptive (e.g. Mirena)
|
|
Mechanical barrier methods
(+/- chemical methods) |
Male condom (sheath)
Female condom (e.g. Femidon)
|
|
| |
Diaphragm (used with spermicide)
|
|
| |
Cervical cap (used with spermicide)
|
|
| |
Vaginal sponge
(usually impregnated with spermicide)
|
|
| |
Spermicide |
|
|
| Sterilisation |
Female sterilisation (tubal occlusion)
|
|
| |
Male sterilisation (vasectomy) |
|
|
| Emergency contraception |
Emergency combined pill (morning-after pill)
|
|
| |
POP post-coital method
|
|
| |
IUD |
| |
There are numerous on-line resources covering all aspects of contraception. A selection of websites is outlined below. These sites link into many other useful internet resources.
|
|
|
Government resources on contraception
Department of Health information about contraception and contraception issues, including the provision of family planning services.
www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance
Survey on Contraception and Sexual Health carried out in 2003/04, produced by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of the Department of Health.
www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics |
|
|
Websites with general information on contraception
NHS Direct has a Frequently asked questions page on contraception.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
The NHS Direct encyclopaedia covers family planning and birth control.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk |
|
|
Family planning organisations
FPA (formerly The Family Planning Association) is a charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK. Its website offers comprehensive and objective information on all aspects of contraception, abortion and sexual health.
www.fpa.org.uk
Brook is a national voluntary sector provider of free and confidential sexual health advice and services specifically for young people under 25. The website provides a detailed 'facts' section, which addresses various issues regarding contraception, emergency contraception, pregnancy, abortion and sexually transmitted infections.
www.brook.org.uk
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service is a charity offering information, advice, treatment and a range of clinical services linked to pregnancy and fertility control.
www.bpas.org
Marie Stopes International is a charity providing family planning and reproductive health services in more than 40 countries across the world. Its UK website offers information, news, advice and resources.
www.mariestopes.org.uk
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) links national Family Planning Associations in over 180 countries worldwide. Its website provides resources, information and links to many related websites throughout the world.
www.ippfwhr.org/index.html |
|
|
Other on-line resources for healthcare workers
The Women's Health specialist library is a virtual library providing access to a growing collection of quality evaluated resources and links for health professionals working in the fields of obstetrics and gynaecology, and also for patients and others interested in the topics. Provided by the National Library for Health (NLH), this on-line library provides access to information on a wide variety of topics concerning women's health issues
www.library.nhs.uk/womenshealth
The Faculty of Family Planning is a faculty of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The Faculty grants diplomas, certificates and equivalent recognition of specialist knowledge and skills in family planning and reproductive healthcare. As a body it promotes conferences and lectures, provides members with an advisory service and publishes the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care.
www.ffprhc.org.uk
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is the executive agency of the Department of Health ensuring that medicines, healthcare products and medical equipment meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, performance and effectiveness, and that they are used safely.
www.mhra.gov.uk
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) provides clinical guidelines relating to contraceptives.
www.nice.org.uk
Reproductive Health Online is a US family planning and reproductive health training website. The website includes resources on contraceptives including reference material and training tools such as presentation graphics with trainer notes.
www.reproline.jhu.edu
GP notebook is a system designed to provide a concise synopsis of the entire field of clinical medicine with material organised systematically to ensure rapid retrieval of information. Methods, failure rates and side-effects of all types of contraceptives are covered.
www.gpnotebook.co.uk
NMAP offers free access to a searchable catalogue of hand-selected and evaluated, quality internet resources for nursing, midwifery and allied health professions.
http://nmap.ac.uk |
|
|
On-line textbook
The eMedicine.com on-line US obstetrics and gynaecology textbook provides information on contraception.
www.emedicine.com/med
This content is not intended nor does it replace individual professional advice. Please contact a healthcare professional or seek advice from NHS Direct (0845 46 47) NHS Direct Wales (0845 46 47) or NHS 24 in Scotland (08454 24 24 24). |
|
last reviewed 01 May 2005
last updated 06 July 2006
|
|
|
|