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If you are planning to have sexual intercourse but don't want to get pregnant, there are four main types of contraception you can use:

 

 

Barrier methods

These include the male and female condoms and diaphragms and caps. They work by stopping sperm reaching an egg.

Male condoms | Female condoms

 

 

 

Spermicides

Best used with a male or female condom or diaphragm or cap. Spermicides kill any sperm that haven't been stopped by the barrier method.
Spermicides

 

 

 

Hormonal methods

Based on modified natural female hormones. These can be taken by a girl or woman either as a pill, an injection or an implant. The type of hormone in the contraceptive prevents pregnancy either by stopping the release of eggs, or by altering the mucus at the cervix (neck of the womb) so that it stops the sperm reaching the egg and making the womb lining unsuitable for fertilised eggs to implant. Soon there will be hormones that the boy or man can take to stop him releasing ripe sperm.
Contraceptive pills | Injectable and implantable hormonal contraception

 

 

 

Coils, intrauterine devices, IUDs, intrauterine systems or IUSs

These are 'physical methods' but can also use hormones. They set up reactions in the womb, which stop sperm fertilising an egg and/or stop a fertilised egg implanting in the womb lining. Older women and/or those who have had children often choose to use a coil, intrauterine device, IUD, or intrauterine system, IUS. IUDs have to be inserted by a doctor and when it is in place it sets up a reaction in the womb so that sperm can not fertilise an egg. IUSs are a type of coil that also releases a hormone which also acts to stop sperm fertilising eggs and affects the womb lining and cervical mucus. Coils are sometimes a suitable method for younger women, especially if they are unable to use hormonal methods. Sometimes, IUDs can also be used as a type of emergency contraception up to 5 days, longer in special circumstances, after the sexual intercourse.
Intrauterine devices