Our services
Contraception
Overview
Choose the family planning method that fits your life, your health and your goals. An unplanned pregnancy may go smoothly, but it is not always under the best circumstances for you or your child. With contraception management from the team at Minerva Women's Healthcare, you can hold off on pregnancy until the right time, or prevent pregnancy altogether. To review your options with an expert, call us or book an appointment online today.
At a glance
- Contraception, also called birth control, lets you decide whether and when to have children
- We offer a range of options, including pills, IUDs, an implant, an injection, a vaginal ring and a patch
- Most methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms do
- Many hormonal methods also help with painful or heavy periods, hormonal acne and endometriosis
- The best method is the one that suits your health, your preferences and your plans
What is contraception?
Contraception is a method of family planning that allows you to delay having children until you are ready, or avoid pregnancy altogether. Some methods use hormones to stop you from ovulating, or to thicken the mucus in your cervix so sperm cannot reach an egg. Others, such as the copper IUD, make the womb an unwelcoming place for sperm. Condoms physically block sperm.
To get the full benefit of any method, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. As effective as most methods are at preventing pregnancy, most cannot protect you from STIs such as herpes, chlamydia or HIV. Condoms are the exception, and they can be used alongside another method.
Why use contraception?
Contraception helps you plan your life and can help regulate your hormones. For family planning, it allows you to:
- Decide how many children to have
- Choose the spacing between your children
- Decide when to start and when to stop having children
- Be in your best health for a planned pregnancy, and give your baby the best start
Hormonal methods also have added health benefits. Your doctor may recommend them to help treat or control hormonal acne, endometriosis and menstrual problems such as heavy or painful periods.
Your contraception options
Our team walks you through the benefits and limitations of each option, so you can choose the one that fits your preferences. Options include:
Oral contraceptive pills
Commonly called "the pill", these are tablets you swallow every day. Combined pills contain oestrogen and progestin, and progestin-only pills contain progestin alone. They stop you from ovulating each month and thicken the mucus in your cervix so that sperm struggle to reach the uterus. The pill works best when taken at the same time every day.
Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
IUDs suit women who would rather not remember a daily pill or regular changes. A doctor places a small device in the uterus, where it works for years and can be removed at any time.
- Copper IUD: Hormone-free and effective for up to 10 years or more.
- Hormonal IUD (higher dose): Effective for up to eight years, and often makes periods lighter.
- Hormonal IUD (lower dose): Effective for up to five years.
Contraceptive implant
The implant is a small, flexible rod placed under the skin of your upper arm by your doctor. It releases a low, steady dose of progestin and prevents pregnancy for up to three years. It can be removed at any time.
Contraceptive injection
The injection contains a progestin hormone and is given in the arm or buttock. You normally need one injection every 12 weeks, so it suits women who prefer not to take a daily pill. Your periods may become irregular or stop, and it can take some time for fertility to return after you stop.
Vaginal ring
The ring is a small, flexible ring that sits comfortably in the vagina and releases oestrogen and progestin to stop ovulation. You wear it for three weeks, remove it for a week, then insert a new one. With typical use it is about 91% effective.
Contraceptive patch
The patch is a small, sticky patch that releases oestrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus. You wear a new patch once a week for three weeks, then go patch-free in the fourth week. Apply each new patch on the same day of the week, and place it on a different spot from the last one.
Condoms
Male and female condoms prevent pregnancy and also protect against most STIs. They can be used on their own or together with another method for extra protection.
Emergency contraception
If you have had unprotected sex or a method has failed, emergency contraception can reduce the chance of pregnancy when taken as soon as possible. Contact us or a pharmacist promptly. It is not meant for regular use.
Choosing the right method
Your gynaecologist will consider your age, your medical history, your plans for pregnancy, how often you can attend the clinic and what is most comfortable for you. Methods containing oestrogen may not be suitable if you smoke, are over 35, have high blood pressure, have a history of blood clots, or have migraine with aura. We will help you find a safe alternative. Side effects vary, and your doctor will explain what to expect and what to do if a method does not suit you.
Common questions
Will contraception affect my future fertility?
For most methods, fertility returns soon after you stop. With the injection it can take longer, sometimes several months.
Which method is the most effective?
IUDs and the implant are the most effective because there is nothing to remember. Methods that depend on you, such as the pill, are effective when used correctly and consistently.
Can I stop a method whenever I want?
Yes. You can ask us to remove an IUD, implant or ring, or stop the pill, patch or injection at any time.
Do I need an exam before starting?
We will ask about your health and medical history, and may check your blood pressure. We will advise whether any other tests are needed.
Ready to explore your contraception options?
Book your appointment with Minerva Women's Healthcare online or by calling our office. It takes about a minute, and no account is needed.
