There are many forms of birth protection to consider.
- We all know about condoms, but they may not be used in our girl-boy shoots (more info).
- The pill (oral contraceptive) is a common method of birth control, but for some women this medication can have unwanted side-effects.
- A contraceptive patch is a small sticky patch that releases hormones into your body through your skin to prevent pregnancy.
- A Contraceptive implant is a small flexible plastic rod that’s placed under the skin in your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. It releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy and lasts for 3 years.
- A contraceptive injection releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. It lasts for 13 weeks, then another injection is required (Depo-Provera is a common brand of this medicine).
- An Intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse. It releases copper to stop you getting pregnant, and protects against pregnancy for between 5 and 10 years.
- A Vaginal ring is a small soft, plastic ring that you place inside your vagina. It releases a continuous dose of the hormones oestrogen and progestogen into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. It’s worn for 21 days, removed for 7, then a new one is self-inserted.
The UK’s National Health Service gives an excellent overview of the options that we have summarised here.
These methods take time to organise and to become effective, but certainly there’s no rush from our side.
We definitely recommend consulting your doctor to get the best advice for you.