Contraception can be a minefield. With so many options to choose from, more accessible than ever before, it’s little surprise that women are left weighing up pills, patches and everything in between.
When it comes to deciding on the right contraception, it’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all approach. Everything from age to weight to lifestyle can have an effect on which contraceptive suits your needs, so it’s vital that anyone making this choice is clued up on the different options out there, and the potential subsequent side effects. It goes without saying that with irreversible forms of contraception comes the requirement for expert advice and counsel, but for those seeking reversible, temporary protection the first decision to make is between hormonal and non-hormonal / barrier.
The pill - albeit in many forms - remains the most common form of contraception in the UK. It’s widely-talked about, socially acceptable and inexpensive for the NHS to prescribe. It also offers the potential, in the form of a combined pill, to treat additional existing issues such as acne or heavy periods, which is why it is such a popular choice for teenagers and young women as they first start to become sexually active.
The pill, however, is a hormone-heavy, user-reliant contraceptive which means it’s certainly not suitable for all. Not only does it rely on the user remembering to take it each day, the pill- among other hormonal contraceptives - has the potential to mask fertility issues.
We are seeing a rise in women opting for choices like the coil or implant, which are not user-dependent, but are long-acting and reversible. As more and more women delay motherhood to prioritise careers, it’s empowering to have this choice, as they no longer need to think about contraception on a daily basis. While these methods do contain hormones, except in the case of the copper coil, the hormones present act more locally and, therefore, have less of an effect on the body as a whole.
For those looking to start a family in the short term, barrier is the safest option. Without putting hormones into it, your body can function at its natural cycle and, in the case of condoms, you are also protected against STIs, making them suitable for use with a new partner, too. However, the use of condoms can raise with it an issue of power imbalance. Historically, it’s been seen as the role of the male to buy and provide condoms, with women reliant on men and not able to take ownership of this choice for themselves.
This is something that we at HANX have been working hard for the last three years to change, dismantling the shame attached to women taking on this role. Recently, we have seen a significant shift in behaviours - women now make up 40% of purchases of condoms in the UK and feel more confident in making choices relating to their own sexuality.
When choosing a form of contraception, people are influenced heavily by friends, doctors, and the media, but it’s important to understand your own body and how it could be affected. It can be hard to think long-term when you are younger, but I would advise taking into consideration what will happen when you come off of your chosen contraceptive to help shape your decision.
Unfortunately, contraception is not addressed enough in sex education, aside from being told that condoms protect against STIs. As women, we are not informed of the potential side and long term effects that taking another form of contraceptive could cause and, while I would always recommend seeking advice from your GP before deciding on a form of contraception, GPs ultimately have limited time. This is why we believe there is a role for brands and charities who can inform in a more accessible way and help women become familiar with the different options out there. At HANX we take our role as educators seriously; our mission is to enable women to own their sexual health and wellbeing, and making the right choice of contraception, that works for you and your lifestyle, is an important starting point.
Sarah’s top ten questions to ask yourself before choosing a contraceptive:
Do I want hormonal or non-hormonal contraception?
Am I going to remember to take this every day (if necessary)?
Do I feel informed of all of the possible side effects?
Could this make my periods heavy and am I prepared for that?
If this leads to irregular spotting, am I able to manage this?
Do I also want to be protected from potential STIs?
Am I happy to carry these (condoms/diaphragm) around with me?
Does it contain oestrogen? (If so, it may not be suitable for those over 35, overweight or smokers, amongst other risk factors)
How long do I want to take it for? Something like the coil or implant is probably not worth having for a short period of time
What if I do get pregnant? Some forms of contraception are more effective than others (for example the ‘pull-out method’ is more likely to fail)