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Where can I get contraception?
Most contraceptives need to be prescribed. If
your GP does not provide all the methods they
should be able to tell you of the nearest GP or
family planning clinic that does. If you would
prefer not to see your own GP about contraception
you can sometimes go to another GP for contraception
only.
Many sexual health (GUM) clinics
offer contraception, including emergency contraception.
Emergency contraception is also available from
your GP, family planning clinics, most NHS walk-in
centres (England only) and some pharmacies. You
can buy male or female condoms and spermicides
without going to a doctor or clinic. Spermicides
on their own are not recommended as a reliable
contraceptive. Natural family planning (NFP) can
be learnt through a NFP teacher.
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Using contraception
How effective any contraceptive is depends on
how old you are, how often you have sex and whether
you follow the instructions.
If 100 sexually active women don't
use any contraception 80 to 90 of them will become
pregnant in a year.
Some methods of contraception
do not depend on you remembering to take or use
contraception. Once you have been given one of
these methods you don't have to think about contraception
for as long as the method lasts. They are:
•
Contraceptive injection
•
Implant
•
IUS
•
IUD
•
Female and male sterilisation
The remainder are methods you use and have to
think about each day or each time you have sex.
For these methods to be effective you must use
them according to the instructions given.
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What if I become pregnant?
No method of contraception is perfect. If you
think you could be pregnant you should see your
doctor or practice nurse as soon as possible to
find out. They can talk to you about good pregnancy
care, such as taking folic acid and stopping smoking
if you want to be pregnant, or talk to you about
what to do if you do not want to be pregnant.
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Contraception and the menopause
Contraception needs to be used until the menopause.
Contraception should continue to be used until
a woman has not had a period or any bleeding for
two years if aged under 50 and for one year if
over 50.
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Contraception and breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can act as a very effective contraceptive
when you are fully breastfeeding a baby under
six months. This means that you must:
•
be breastfeeding at regular
intervals, day and night
•
be giving your baby no other
food or drink, so no breastfeeds are missed
•
have no periods
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Methods of contraception
For specific information on each method, see individual
pages listed below. This information will help
you to decide on the method of contraception most
suited to you. The figures quoted for how well
each method works are based on extensive independent
research.
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