Contraception and safe sex

Condoms work by stopping sperm from entering the vagina, mouth or anus (bottom). They can help prevent STIs as well as pregnancy.

There are different types of condoms. The male condom stretches to fit over a penis when it’s erect, and the female condom fits loosely inside the vagina. Both can be bought from shops, or gotten for free from a sexual health clinic, doctors, and many other places.

It is important to make sure you have the right sized male condom for you or your partner. A condom that is too small may break more easily, while if a condom is too big it may slip off.

Condoms can only be used once.

If you're physically female, you can use contraceptive pills to stop yourself from getting pregnant.

You can get the pill for free from your GP, a sexual health clinic and from some pharmacies. You’ll be asked a few questions about your medical history and any medication you’re on. You may also be asked your blood pressure and weight.

The pill is commonly taken for 21 days followed by a 7 day break. During this break you will bleed like if you are having a period. You then restart after the 7 day break.

Sometimes you can take the pill everyday or with a shorter break, which can help manage side effects. Speaking to your doctor or the sexual health clinic will help you decide what is the best option for you.

The pill won’t stop STIs. If you’re sexually active, it can be helpful to combine the pill with condoms if you’re with a physically male partner.

There are two types of pill, the combined pill and progestogen-only pill, and they can have different effects on your mood, and wellbeing. They can also have different physical side-effects, so it’s important to speak to the medical professional you’re with about what might happen. You can read Brook's pages about the combined pill and the progestogen-only pill to find out more.

A dental dam is a small thin latex sheet that is placed over the genitals or anus (bottom) before oral sex.

A dental dam isn’t used to prevent pregnancy, but can be used to make oral sex safer. It can prevent STIs being passed from one person to another.

Visit Brook’s website for more information on dental dams.

This is a type of contraception for people who are physically female. An implant is a small rod about the size of a matchstick. It is placed under the skin in your upper arm and releases hormones that work to prevent pregnancy. It needs to be put in by a doctor or nurse.

The implant won’t prevent STIs, so it’s important to combine this with something like condoms if you’re with a physically male partner.

The implant may have an effect on your mood and wellbeing. It can have different side-effects, so it’s important to speak to the medical professional you’re with about what might happen. If you are not happy with how the implant is affecting you, it can be removed early at any time by a doctor or a nurse.

Once the implant is in your arm, it works for up to 3 years. Read more on Brook's page about the contraceptive implant.

Contraceptive injections are a way for physically female people to make sure they don't get pregnant. There are 2 types of injections. One needs to be given every 8 weeks and the other type every 12 weeks.

The injection is given by a doctor or nurse and is injected into a muscle – usually in your bottom. Read more on Brook's page about the contraceptive injection.

The contraceptive injection may have an effect on your mood and wellbeing, as well as having physical side effects, so it’s important to speak to the medical professional you’re with about what might happen.

Contraceptive injections don’t prevent STIs, but you can combine this with something like condoms if you’re with a physically male partner.

Diaphragms are made from a soft rubber material and are shaped like a small bowl. They fit inside the vagina and over the cervix.

Diaphragms can take time to get used to and shouldn’t be used when someone is on their period. They can help prevent pregnancy, but don’t protect from STIs.

Get more information on Brook's page about diaphragms.

Intrauterine Devices (IUD or the copper coil) and Intrauterine Systems (IUS or the hormonal coil) are small T shaped devices that are inserted into a physically female’s womb, or uterus.

The IUD is made of plastic and copper and releases copper to stop you from getting pregnant. The IUS is also made of plastic but contains hormones instead which also stop you from getting pregnant. They can last either 5 or 10 years, depending on the type of coil you have.

The IUD can also be used as a type of emergency contraception, but as it needs to be fitted by a doctor or nurse you should contact your doctor or sexual health clinic to organise an urgent appointment.

They are inserted by a specially trained doctor or nurse. Read more on Brook’s page about the IUD and the IUS.

The IUD and IUS may have an effect on your mood, body and wellbeing, so it’s important to speak to the medical professional you’re with about what might happen. If you are not happy with your IUD or IUS is affecting you, a doctor or a nurse can remove it at any time.

If you’ve had unprotected sex or been sexually active without contraception, then you can use emergency contraception to stop from getting pregnant. You can also use it if something went wrong, like a condom split or came off.

Emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after you’ve been sexually active for it to be most effective.

There are two main types of emergency contraception:

• Intrauterine device (IUD)
  This is sometimes called the copper coil, and can be used up to 5 days after you’ve been sexually active, and is a small device that’s inserted into the vagina. It releases copper that kills sperm. IUDs can also be used as regular contraception.
• Contraceptive pill
  There are different types of contraceptive pill, some will work up to 3 days after you’ve had unprotected sex, and some will work up to 5 days.

You can get emergency contraception from your doctor, a nurse or a sexual health clinic for free. You can also buy it from a pharmacy. Some pharmacies can provide it for free, but you will need to ask if they provide this service.

Read more on Brook's page about emergency contraception.