Life Stages
Think about your situation
Do you want kids soon? Have you had your family? Would an unplanned pregnancy be a disaster for you? Think about what stage you are at in your life to help decide what contraceptive method is right for you.
Not yet ready for a family: if you don't want to get pregnant you have to use contraception every time you have sex, and use it correctly. Only the male and female condom will stop you getting most sexually transmitted infections.
Remember – no method of contraception is 100% effective!
Planning a family in the near future: some methods, such as the patch, mean that your fertility will return more quickly than others.
Recently had a baby: not all contraceptive methods can be used soon after birth or during breastfeeding.
Completed your family: a more long-term form of contraception, such as as the Intrauterine System (IUS), might be more suitable.
For more information download our Contraception 35-55 leaflet which is aimed at women 35-55 years of age.
Approaching menopause: it’s important to carry on using contraception during and after the menopause, if you don’t want to get pregnant. Contraception should continue to be used by a woman until she has not had a period or bleeding for two years if aged under 50 and for one year if over 50.
There are more than 12 types of contraceptive available and there is also the option of abstinence. The Think Contraception section of the site shows all the methods, explains how they work, how reliable they are and the main advantages and disadvantages.
The best person to discuss your contraceptive needs with is a health professional such as your GP or doctor. You can also visit your nearest family planning (sexual health) clinic or, in some cases, speak to a pharmacist.
