Family Planning

Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children, if any, and to determine the spacing of their pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility.


WHAT IS LONG-ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTION?

LARC

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) lasts for a long time.

There are two types of LARC. 

  • the intra uterine device, which lasts for three, five or ten years
  • the implant, which lasts for five years.

Once you have a LARC put in, you don’t need to remember to take contraception every day or every month.

LARCs are the most effective types of contraception. They are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

WHAT ARE HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES?

contraceptive_pill

These contraceptives use hormones to prevent pregnancy.

Hormonal contraceptives include the Pill and the Depo Provera injection.

There are two types of pill:

  • combined oral contraceptive pill
  • progestogen-only contraceptive pill

You take one pill each day. If you take the pill correctly, it is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. 

The Depo Provera injection is an injection you get every three months. If you get your injections on time, Depo Provera is more than 99% effective.  


WHAT ARE BARRIER METHODS?

Barrier methods stop sperm from entering the vagina. The two barrier methods are:

  • condoms
  • internal condoms

Condoms protect against sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and from unintended pregnancy.

You can buy internal condoms from websites and from some pharmacies.

You can get a prescription for condoms from Family Planning or your doctor, or you can buy them from websites, pharmacies, supermarkets, and other shops. 


WHAT IS FERTILITY AWARENESS?

Fertility awareness is learning the signs of fertility in your menstrual cycle to help you plan or avoid a pregnancy. 


WHAT IS PERMANENT CONTRACEPTION?

Permanent contraception, sometimes called sterilisation, prevents all future pregnancies. It is very difficult or impossible to reverse. Permanent contraception is either a vasectomy or a tubal ligation.