What different types of contraception are there?
There are three main forms of contraceptives available: Barrier Methods, Hormonal Methods and Spermicides. Barrier methods physically stop sperm from entering a woman’s uterus and fertilising her egg. Barrier methods include condoms (which are available for both men and women), the diaphragm, the cap and the Intrauterine Device (IUD or ‘coil’). Hormonal methods change the levels of hormones in a woman’s body, making conception very difficult. Hormonal methods come in the forms of pills, patches, implants, rings, injections or the Intrauterine System (IUS). Spermicides are designed to kill sperm in the vagina. Spermicides come in the form of foams, gels or pessaries which are inserted straight into the vagina, are used on a condom or are contained in a special sponge that covers the cervix.
