Forms of contraception and what you need to know about them

Contraception helps you prevent an unwanted pregnancy. There are many different forms of contraception. 
Every method has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss the most important forms of contraception with you, including hormonal, non-hormonal, and natural forms of contraception. 
And we will give you tips on restoring your hormone balance when you stop taking hormonal contraception.

There are forms of contraception that work on the basis of hormones, such as the pill and the contraceptive ring. These are generally reliable contraceptive methods, and with some hormonal contraceptive methods you can also regulate your menstruation. Hormonal contraceptives can sometimes cause side effects. For example, you may experience mood swings or weight gain. Below you will find the different forms of hormonal contraception.

The contraceptive pill is a widely used form of hormonal contraception. Although the pill has been declining in popularity in recent years, it is still the most used form of contraception - closely followed by the IUD (Rutgers, 2023). The pill contains synthetic hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent an egg from being released from your ovaries. This prevents ovulation and stops you from getting pregnant. The pill also thickens the mucus in the cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and fallopian tubes. In addition, the hormones in the pill prevent a fertilized egg from implanting. You take the pill daily at the same time. This ensures that it works optimally.

There are different types of pills:

• Combined pill: Contains both estrogen and progestin.
• Mini-pill: Contains only progestin and is suitable for women who cannot tolerate estrogen.

Advantages and disadvantages of the pill

The advantage of the pill is that you have control over your menstrual cycle. The pill is also a reliable form of contraception. 

The disadvantage is that you have to take the pill daily and cannot forget it. In addition, some women experience side effects from the hormones in the pill.

The hormonal IUD slowly releases hormones that thicken the cervix, making it impossible for sperm to reach the egg. 

A hormonal IUD is inserted by a GP or midwife and can remain in place for several years. Depending on the brand, this is 5, 6, or 8 years. Some women experience lighter periods or no bleeding at all when using a hormonal IUD. 
Because a hormonal IUD is usually left in for several years, this form of contraception is a popular choice among women who (for now) do not want to become pregnant.

Advantages and disadvantages of the hormonal IUD

One advantage is that the hormonal IUD provides protection for years without you having to think about it daily. 

One disadvantage is that it may cause irregular bleeding, especially in the first few months.

The contraceptive patch is a thin, square patch that releases hormones (estrogen and progestin) through the skin. You stick the patch on your skin once a week and replace it after seven days. This prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation. The contraceptive patch looks like a regular patch, and you can wear it while exercising, showering, and even swimming.

Advantages and disadvantages of the contraceptive patch

One advantage of the contraceptive patch is that you only have to think about contraception once a week. One disadvantage is that you must not forget to change it at the right time to maintain the maximum effectiveness of this form of contraception.

You insert the contraceptive ring yourself into the vagina. It is a flexible ring, making it easy to insert. The ring releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. It contains the same hormones as the combined pill, but with the contraceptive ring, they are released into your bloodstream through the vagina. 

You wear a contraceptive ring for three weeks in a row. After that, you can have a break week, after which you start again with a new contraceptive ring.

Advantages and disadvantages of the contraceptive ring

The advantage is that you only have to insert a ring once a month, and with this method, just like the pill, you can plan or skip your period. 

However, with the contraceptive ring, you must also not forget to change it at the right time to keep this form of contraception reliable. Therefore, set a reminder on your phone for when you need to remove the ring and when you need to insert a new one.

The contraceptive injection is an injection of progestin that is administered every three months to prevent pregnancy. The hormone in the contraceptive injection prevents you from ovulating. The contraceptive injection also makes it harder for sperm to pass through the cervix. With the contraceptive injection, you have no control over your period.

Advantages and disadvantages of the contraceptive injection

The advantage is that you only need an injection once every three months, but a disadvantage is that it can make your period irregular. In addition, it can sometimes take some time for your fertility to return after stopping this form of contraception. For most women, the contraceptive injection wears off after 5 to 6 months.

A contraceptive implant is a small rod that is inserted under the skin of your upper arm. We also know the contraceptive implant as ‘Implanon’. The rod gradually releases a small amount of hormones. A contraceptive implant can remain in place for up to three years and protects you from pregnancy during that time. A contraceptive implant may be an option for you if you do not (yet) want to have children or if you do not want to have to think about a possible pregnancy for a long time.

Advantages and disadvantages of the contraceptive implant

The advantage of an implant is that it provides protection for up to three years without you having to think about contraception daily. One disadvantage is that it can sometimes be accompanied by irregular bleeding.

Hormones can affect your cycle and ovulation to prevent you from becoming pregnant. But besides hormonal contraceptives, there are also other forms of contraception. They intervene in the process in a different way. Below you will find different examples of non-hormonal forms of contraception.

A copper IUD contains no hormones, but works because copper reduces the mobility of sperm. It is a long-term solution, but the copper IUD can make periods feel heavier for some people. Women choose this method, for example, if they want to use a form of contraception that does not affect their hormone balance.

Advantages and disadvantages of the copper IUD

The advantage of a copper IUD is that it is a hormone-free form of contraception that provides protection against pregnancy for up to ten years. One disadvantage is that in some cases it causes heavier periods and cramps.

A condom is a popular non-hormonal method for preventing pregnancy. Unlike other forms of contraception, a condom also protects you against STIs. A condom is easy to use and does not affect your hormone balance. The most commonly used condoms are those that you put around the man's penis, but there are also female condoms that you insert into the vagina.

Advantages and disadvantages of condoms

One advantage is that condoms – when used correctly – not only provide protection against pregnancy, but also against STIs. One disadvantage is that putting on a condom can sometimes be experienced as an interruption of sex.

A pessarium is a flexible silicone cap. You place it in your vagina before sex to block the cervix. This prevents sperm from reaching the egg. When using a pessarium, you should also use a spermicidal gel to reduce the chance of pregnancy. You must also remember that you can only remove the pessarium 6 hours after sex.

Pros and cons of a pessarium

The advantage is that a pessarium contains no hormones and only needs to be used during sex. One disadvantage is that it must be used very precisely and correctly, and that it is less reliable than other methods.

There are also natural contraception methods. For example, you can track your cycle using a cycle tracker (such as the Daysy). To do this, you measure your body temperature every day as soon as you wake up. This way, you will know which days you are fertile and which days you are not. To prevent pregnancy, you do not have sex on fertile days or use a condom on those days.

Pros and cons of a temperature method (using the Daysy)

One advantage of natural contraception is that you do not need to take hormones. Furthermore, you can also use this method if you do want to get pregnant. You can use this method to calculate your fertile days. The disadvantage of a temperature method is that it requires much more discipline than other contraception methods. It is also much less reliable, especially if you have an irregular cycle, such as with PCOS.

Sterilization is a permanent form of contraception. This is also why you only choose this method when you are certain that you do not want any more children. Sterilization for men means that the vas deferens are tied off, so that there are no more sperm cells in the semen. Male sterilization is also known as a vasectomy. For women, sterilization means that the fallopian tubes are closed, so that the eggs can no longer reach the uterus. This is also known as a tubectomy.

Pros and cons of sterilization 

The advantage of sterilization is that it is a one-time procedure. You no longer have to think about contraception or use hormones. Furthermore, it is highly reliable as a contraceptive method. The chance of pregnancy is very low after sterilization. 

The disadvantage may be that it is a surgical procedure and that it is a permanent choice. In men, sterilization can be reversed in some cases if they decide they want children later on. For women, that is a different story. Once the fallopian tubes have been closed, no new passage can be created. This means that a woman can only become pregnant through IVF. 

The choice of contraception is very personal, and there are a huge number of options and possibilities. Perhaps you want a method that has as little impact on your hormone balance as possible. Or perhaps you prefer being able to control or delay your period. 

Some women want the option to stop taking a contraceptive method so that they can quickly become pregnant afterwards. Other women already know that they definitely do not want to start having children in the next five years. So many people, so many wishes.

It is important to consider what you and your partner, if you have one, expect from a contraceptive method. You can then discuss your options with your GP or midwife.

With most methods, such as the contraceptive pill, patch, or ring, you can generally stop at any time. Your fertility usually returns within a few weeks to months. 

With long-acting methods such as the hormonal IUD or contraceptive injection, it may take longer for your natural cycle to return, sometimes several months. The contraceptive injection can still affect your menstrual cycle and therefore your fertility for up to a year after you stop. You should also bear in mind that you may experience hormonal fluctuations after stopping. This can sometimes cause symptoms such as acne or mood swings. 

Consult your GP before you stop taking contraception, especially if you use methods such as the contraceptive injection or hormonal IUD. This will ensure that you are well prepared for the transition to another form of contraception or your natural cycle. 

If you stop taking the pill, it may take a while for your natural cycle to return. This is sometimes referred to as ‘post-pill’ recovery. Although the hormones from the pill leave your body shortly after you stop and your normal hormonal process resumes, some women experience symptoms after stopping the pill. This may be due to your hormone cycles recovering.

It can take several months for your hormone balance to return to normal and for your menstrual cycle to become regular again. It is also possible that the pill suppressed an existing hormonal imbalance while you were taking it, for example if you have PCOS. In that case, you may also experience an irregular cycle after stopping the pill.

Hormonal contraception can affect how your body absorbs certain vitamins and minerals. It is therefore important to continue eating healthily to ensure you get enough nutrients. 

To complement your healthy diet, you may want to consider a dietary supplement to give your body that little bit of extra support. 

You can find more information about this in the article on the contraceptive pill and vitamins >>

• Hormone cycle explained
• Ovulation explained
• What are my most fertile days? 

The information provided does not replace the information given by a GP and should not be considered medical advice.