Contraception Services

Our Contraception Services provide comprehensive advice, fitting, and ongoing support for all methods of contraception. We help you choose the method that best suits your health, lifestyle, and family planning goals, ensuring you have the information you need to make an informed decision.

Why Contraception Matters

Effective contraception allows you to:

• Plan if and when to have children
• Space pregnancies for optimal health
• Manage certain medical conditions
• Take control of your reproductive health

Overview of Contraceptive Methods

Effectiveness rates depend on correct and consistent use

Hormonal Contraception

Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill

The combined pill contains oestrogen and progestogen hormones.

How it works:

• Prevents ovulation
• Thickens cervical mucus
• Thins the uterine lining

How to take it:

• One pill daily for 21 days, then 7-day break (or continuous use)
• Must be taken at roughly the same time each day

Benefits:

• Highly effective when taken correctly
• Regulates periods and reduces period pain
• Can improve acne and reduce PMS symptoms
• May reduce risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer
• Periods can be skipped if desired

Considerations:

• Not suitable for women over 35 who smoke
• Not suitable for women with certain health conditions (migraine with aura, blood clots, certain heart conditions)
• Does not protect against STIs
• Requires daily compliance

Side effects:

• Nausea, headaches, breast tenderness (usually temporary)
• Mood changes
• Breakthrough bleeding (especially in first few months)

Progestogen-Only Pill (Mini Pill)

The progestogen-only pill contains only progestogen hormone.

How it works:

• Thickens cervical mucus
• May prevent ovulation (depending on type)
• Thins the uterine lining

Types:

• Traditional POP — Must be taken within 3-hour window daily
• Desogestrel POP — 12-hour window, more likely to stop ovulation

Benefits:

• Suitable for women who cannot take oestrogen
• Safe while breastfeeding
• Suitable for women over 35 who smoke
• Can be used by women with migraine with aura

Considerations:

• Must be taken at the same time every day
• Periods may become irregular or stop
• Does not protect against STIs

Contraceptive Patch

The patch releases oestrogen and progestogen through the skin.

How to use it:

• Apply one patch weekly for 3 weeks
• Patch-free week (or continuous use)
• Apply to buttocks, abdomen, upper arm, or back

Benefits:

• Only needs changing once a week
• Same benefits as combined pill
• Still works if you have vomiting or diarrhoea

Considerations:

• Visible on skin
• May cause skin irritation
• Same contraindications as combined pill

Vaginal Ring

The ring releases oestrogen and progestogen inside the vagina.

How to use it:

• Insert ring and leave for 3 weeks
• Remove for 1 week (or use continuously)
• You insert and remove it yourself

Benefits:

• Only needs attention once a month
• Same benefits as combined pill
• Discreet

Considerations:

• Some women feel uncomfortable inserting/removing
• May be felt during intercourse (usually not problematic)
• Same contraindications as combined pill

Contraceptive Injection

The injection contains progestogen and is given every 8-13 weeks.

Types:

• Depo-Provera — Given every 12-13 weeks
• Sayana Press — Can be self-injected every 13 weeks
• Noristerat — Given every 8 weeks

Benefits:

• No daily or weekly action required
• Very effective
• Periods often become lighter or stop
• Not affected by other medications

Considerations:

• Periods may become irregular
• Fertility may take time to return after stopping (up to 1 year)
• Cannot be reversed once given
• May cause weight gain
• Long-term use may affect bone density

Contraceptive Implant

The implant is a small flexible rod inserted under the skin of the upper arm.

How it works:

• Releases progestogen slowly over 3 years
• Prevents ovulation
• Thickens cervical mucus

Fitting:

• Quick procedure under local anaesthetic
• Small incision in upper arm
• Takes effect immediately if fitted at right time in cycle

Benefits:

• Highly effective (>99%)
• Lasts up to 3 years
• Fertility returns immediately after removal
• Suitable for women who cannot use oestrogen
• Safe while breastfeeding

Considerations:

• Requires minor procedure for fitting and removal
• Periods may become irregular, lighter, heavier, or stop
• Small risk of infection at insertion site

Intrauterine Contraception

Hormonal IUS (Mirena, Kyleena, Jaydess)

The intrauterine system is a small T-shaped device placed in the uterus that releases progestogen.

Types:

• Mirena — Lasts up to 5 years, also treats heavy periods
• Kyleena — Lasts up to 5 years, smaller size
• Jaydess — Lasts up to 3 years, smallest size

How it works:

• Releases progestogen locally in the uterus
• Thickens cervical mucus
• Thins uterine lining
• May prevent ovulation

Fitting:

• Inserted through the cervix into the uterus
• Takes a few minutes
• May cause cramping during and after insertion

Benefits:

• Highly effective (>99%)
• Long-lasting (3-5 years)
• Reduces heavy periods significantly (Mirena)
• Low-dose hormone with minimal systemic effects
• Fertility returns immediately after removal

Considerations:

• Insertion may be uncomfortable
• Risk of expulsion (especially in first few months)
• Periods may become irregular initially
• Small risk of infection after insertion
• Rare risk of perforation during insertion

Copper IUD (Coil)

The copper IUD is a non-hormonal intrauterine device.

How it works:

• Copper is toxic to sperm
• Prevents fertilisation
• May prevent implantation

Fitting:

• Same procedure as IUS
• Takes effect immediately
• Can be used as emergency contraception

Benefits:

• Hormone-free
• Lasts up to 10 years (depending on type)
• Fertility returns immediately after removal
• Can be used as emergency contraception (within 5 days)

Considerations:

• Periods may become heavier, longer, or more painful
• Insertion may be uncomfortable
• Same risks as IUS (expulsion, infection, perforation)
• Not suitable for women with heavy periods

Barrier Methods

Male Condoms

Benefits:

• Protects against STIs and pregnancy
• No hormones
• Widely available
• No prescription needed

Effectiveness:

• 82% typical use, 98% perfect use

Considerations:

• Must be used correctly every time
• Can break or slip off
• Some people have latex allergies (non-latex options available)

Female Condoms

Benefits:

• Woman-controlled STI and pregnancy protection
• Can be inserted before intercourse
• No hormones

Effectiveness:

• 79% typical use, 95% perfect use

Diaphragm/Cap

How it works:

• Barrier placed over the cervix before intercourse
• Used with spermicide

Considerations:

• Must be fitted initially
• Must be left in place for 6 hours after intercourse
• Less effective than other methods

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.

Emergency Contraceptive Pills

Levonorgestrel (Levonelle):

• Most effective within 72 hours (3 days)
• Can be used up to 96 hours
• Available without prescription

Ulipristal acetate (ellaOne):

• Effective up to 120 hours (5 days)
• More effective than levonorgestrel
• Requires prescription

Copper IUD

• Most effective form of emergency contraception
• Can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse
• Can then be left in as ongoing contraception
• Over 99% effective

Permanent Contraception

Female Sterilisation

What it involves:

• Surgical procedure to block or remove fallopian tubes
• Usually performed laparoscopically
• Permanent — should be considered irreversible

Effectiveness: >99%

Considerations:

• Requires surgery and anaesthesia
• Cannot be easily reversed
• Does not affect hormones or periods
• Suitable for women certain they don’t want future pregnancies

Male Sterilisation (Vasectomy)

What it involves:

• Surgical procedure to cut or block the vas deferens
• Performed under local anaesthesia
• Takes about 3 months to be effective (sperm count test required)

Effectiveness: >99%

Considerations:

• Simpler procedure than female sterilisation
• Cannot be easily reversed
• Does not affect hormones or libido

Choosing the Right Method

When helping you choose contraception, we consider:

Your Health

• Medical conditions
• Medications you take
• Family history
• Risk factors (smoking, weight, blood pressure)

Your Lifestyle

• Whether you can remember daily pills
• How important it is to have regular periods
• Your relationship status
• Frequency of intercourse

Your Plans

• Whether you want children in the future
• How soon you might want to conceive
• Short-term vs long-term contraception needs

Your Preferences

• Hormonal vs non-hormonal
• Reversible vs permanent
• Method of use (pill, injection, device)
• STI protection needs

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Contraception Consultation

1. Discussion — Your medical history, lifestyle, and preferences
2. Information — Explanation of suitable options
3. Decision — Choosing the method that’s right for you
4. Provision — Prescription, fitting, or referral as needed
5. Follow-up — Scheduled check-up to ensure method is working well

IUD/IUS Fitting

1. Pre-appointment — Discussion of procedure and consent
2. Examination — Pelvic examination to assess uterus position
3. Insertion — Device inserted through cervix (may cause cramping)
4. Aftercare — Rest briefly, instructions for home
5. Follow-up — Check-up after 6 weeks

Implant Fitting

1. Consultation — Confirm suitability and consent
2. Local anaesthetic — Arm is numbed
3. Insertion — Small incision, implant placed under skin
4. Aftercare — Dressing applied, instructions provided
5. Follow-up — As needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Will contraception affect my fertility? Most contraceptive methods do not affect long-term fertility. Fertility returns quickly after stopping most methods. The injection may delay return of fertility by up to 1 year.

Can I use contraception while breastfeeding? Yes. Progestogen-only methods (mini pill, implant, injection, IUS) are safe while breastfeeding. The combined pill is usually avoided in the first 6 weeks postpartum.

Which method is best for heavy periods? The hormonal IUS (Mirena) is excellent for heavy periods. The combined pill and injection can also help reduce bleeding.

Do I need to take breaks from hormonal contraception? No. There is no medical need to take breaks from hormonal contraception. You can use most methods continuously until you want to conceive or reach menopause.

At what age should I stop contraception? Contraception is recommended until you’ve had no periods for 2 years if under 50, or 1 year if over 50. We can advise on appropriate timing.

Book a Consultation

If you’d like to discuss your contraception options or need a fitting or review, our team is here to help. Contact us at info@salamivf.com or call +973 1725 5095 to schedule an appointment.