Contraception choices and reviews

Overview

Choosing contraception involves more than comparing how a method is used. Your health, previous experience, bleeding preferences and plans for pregnancy all matter. A method that suits someone else may not suit you, and your preferences can change over time.

Some methods contain hormones and others do not. Methods differ in their risks, possible unwanted effects and the need for a procedure or regular use. Condoms also have a role in reducing sexually transmitted infections; other contraception does not provide that protection.

By telephone

A telephone discussion can help clarify what you need from contraception and review concerns about an existing method. Mention a change in bleeding, headaches, mood or other symptoms, including when these began. Symptoms occurring during use are not automatically caused by contraception.

The clinician may ask about medical conditions, migraine, smoking, pregnancy possibility, current medicines and relevant family history. Be clear if you have missed a dose, used a method differently from its instructions or had a possible failure. These questions may need advice sooner than an ordinary review.

What cannot be done remotely

Some choices require current health measurements or additional information before suitability can be assessed. Fitting or removing a device requires an appropriately trained clinician in person. A phone conversation cannot perform a procedure or establish that every option is suitable.

Emergency contraception is time sensitive. Contact a pharmacist, sexual health service or GP promptly after unprotected sex or possible contraceptive failure, rather than waiting for a scheduled consultation. Advice depends on timing and individual circumstances; a routine booking should not delay it.

What to prepare

• Identify your current method and any difficulty using it.
• List medicines, health conditions and previous unwanted effects.
• Explain bleeding preferences and plans for pregnancy.
• Mention possible contraceptive failure at the beginning of the call.

Sources

• NHS: contraception
• NHS: hormonal contraception: side effects and risks
• NHS: emergency contraception