There are a wide range of contraceptives you can choose from. This video provides an explanation of the common types so you can be more informed and choose the one that is right for you.
(Family Planning, NZ, 2015)
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Contraception or birth control is a way to prevent pregnancy. There are different contraceptive methods and you may need different types at different stages of life. Some may be suitable for you but some may not. Only barrier methods (such as condoms) and abstinence (not having sex) also help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Each type of contraceptive method works differently. Some use hormones and some provide a barrier. Generally, they stop a sperm from meeting with an egg, which is how a pregnancy starts. Some contraception works better than others, eg, the long-acting reversible (LARC) is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Anyone of any age can get contraception from a nurse or doctor. If you want to get contraception, see your GP or visit a Family Planning clinic in your area(external link)(external link). If you are under 22 years old and are a New Zealand resident, your Family Planning clinic visit is free. Your visit will also be confidential.
Find out about fees and charges(external link)(external link) for Family Planning clinics in New Zealand.
There are a lot of contraceptive methods that can be used to prevent pregnancy. There are 2 main types of contraception – hormone methods and methods that don’t contain hormones.
Hormone-based methods include:
Methods that don’t contain hormones include:
There are also 2 types of emergency contraception that can be used after sex after unprotected sex or if your usual type of contraception has failed and you don’t want to get pregnant. One method of emergency contraception uses hormones and one doesn't.
Read the table below to find out more about each type of contraception.
Method |
Description |
---|---|
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) |
Read more about LARC. |
Contraceptive pills and injections |
These contraceptives use hormones to prevent pregnancy. They include contraceptive pills and the Depo-Provera injection. Contraceptive pills
Depo-Provera injection
Read more about contraceptive pills and injections. |
Barrier methods |
Read more about condoms. |
Emergency contraception |
Emergency contraception can be used after unprotected sex or if your usual type of contraception has failed and you don’t want to get pregnant. However, it doesn’t protect you against STIs. The 2 forms of emergency contraception are the emergency contraceptive pill and the copper IUD. Emergency contraceptive pill
Copper IUD
Read more about emergency contraception. |
Fertility awareness or natural family planning |
Read more about fertility awareness. |
Sterilisation |
Read more about tubal ligation and vasectomy. |
Abstinence |
|
Withdrawal method |
|
The ideal contraception method for you depends on factors such as:
Talk with your healthcare provider about the best form of contraception for you. Your nurse or doctor will ask you few questions about your health and family history. They will also ask you some personal questions, such as your sexual relationship with your partner/s and to check you aren’t being pressured into having sex when you don’t want to.
They will also talk about how to prevent STIs, eg, using condoms, and will do screening for STIs if you are sexually active. All appointments are confidential and you are welcome to ask your nurse or doctor anything you would like to know.
You can also read more about how to choose the right contraception.
Family Planning NZ(external link)(external link) provides useful information and resources about contraception on their website. They also have clinics you can visit to talk to someone so you can make informed choices about your sexual and reproductive health. Visit their website(external link)(external link) or make an appointment by filling out the appointment form(external link)(external link).
The following links provide further information about contraception. Be aware that websites from other countries may have information that differs from New Zealand recommendations.
Contraception your choice(external link)(external link) Family Planning NZ
What is contraception?(external link)(external link) Family Planning NZ
Overview of contraception and sterilisation(external link)(external link) HealthInfo Canterbury, NZ
Your contraception guide(external link)(external link) NHS, UK
Contraception methods(external link)(external link) Patient Info, UK
Note: In New Zealand, visit your family doctor or Family Planning. Cervical screening is done every 3 years unless you have had an abnormal result.
Contraception – your choice chart(external link)(external link) NZ Family Planning, 2020
A compact guide to sexual health(external link)(external link) Ministry of Health, NZ, 2012
The minipill or progestogen-only pill (POP)(external link)(external link) Family Planning NSW, Australia, 2018
Contraception – the vaginal ring (NuvaRing)(external link)(external link)Family Planning NSW, Australia, 2014 Arabic(external link)(external link) Chinese Simplified(external link)(external link) Korean(external link)(external link) Farsi(external link)(external link) Thai(external link)(external link) Vietnamese(external link)(external link)
Contraception – the male condom(external link)(external link) Family Planning NSW, Australia, 2014 Arabic(external link)(external link)
Chinese Simplified(external link)(external link) Korean(external link)(external link) Farsi(external link)(external link) Thai(external link)(external link) Vietnamese(external link)(external link)
Contraception – the copper IUD(external link)(external link) Family Planning NSW, Australia, 2014 Arabic(external link)(external link)
Chinese Simplified(external link)(external link) Farsi(external link)(external link) Korean(external link)(external link) Thai(external link)(external link) Vietnamese(external link)(external link)
Contraception topics
Sexual health overview
Contraception – which option for which patient?(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2021
Condoms – advising on the options(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2021
Oral contraceptives – selecting a pill(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2021
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA injections)(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2021
Long-acting contraceptives – implants and IUDs(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2021
NZ Aotearoa’s guidance on contraception(external link) Ministry of Health, NZ, 2020
Educational series on long acting reversible contraception [PDF, 528 KB] Research Review, NZ, 2020
Sexual health theme – what’s new in contraception?(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2019
Breakthrough bleeding with CoC – mechanism, management, etc(external link) Patient Info, UK, 2014
Information for health professionals(external link) Auckland Sexual Health Service, NZ
(external link)Family Planning – a global handbook for providers(external link) This resource was developed through worldwide collaboration between the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and more than 30 other organisations around the world (see collaborating and contributing organizations(external link)). It offers clinic-based healthcare professionals in developing countries the latest guidance on providing contraceptive methods.
Read more: Handbook, resources and toolkits(external link) available on a dedicated website with many resources available in a range of languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Hindi and French.(external link)
Practice points from Jaydess® or Mirena® – comparing contraceptives(external link) (Goodfellow MedCase, 2020)
LARCs are the most effective reversible contraception available:
Continuous OC pill regimens are safe and acceptable (Goodfellow Gem, 29 January 2020)
Traditional oral contraceptive (OC) regimes consist of a 7-day break after 21 days of pill taking. Symptoms such as headaches and bleeding during the break are often unwelcome. The break also risks ‘escape ovulation’ and subsequent pregnancy. Shortening the pill-free interval or eliminating it is acceptable and safe. Tailored regimes include 21/4, 63/4 or 365/365 (daily pill-taking). See Effect of missed combined hormonal contraceptives on contraceptive effectiveness – a systematic review(external link) Contraception, 2013 and Safety and bleeding profile of continuous levonorgestrel 90 mcg/ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg based on 2 years of clinical trial data in Canada(external link) Contraception, 2010
Contraception update (Goodfellow Unit Webinar, NZ, 2020)(external link)
Contraceptive update and current challenges in NZ (Goodfellow Unit Webinar, NZ, 2019)(external link)
Copper coil counselling(external link) Geeky Medics
Progesterone depot injection counselling – OSCE guide(external link) Geeky Medics
Progesterone only pill (POP) counselling – OSCE guide(external link) Geeky Medics
Combined oral contraceptive pill counselling - OSCE guide(external link) Geeky Medics
Mirena (IUS) counselling – OSCE guide(external link) Geeky Medics
NZ Family Planning, 2020
Ministry of Health, NZ, 2012
Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Dr Alice Miller, FRNZCGP, Wellington
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