About contraception

Why even talk about contraception for women? There are condoms — just use them and that's it!

Condoms break. Most often it's because there isn't enough natural lubrication or the wrong lubricant is being used.

And they also have to be at hand.

Condoms have one advantage: no other contraception protects against STIs.

So with new partners — condoms only.

If a condom breaks, you have to use emergency contraception, also known as "Plan B".

"Plan B", or the morning-after pill, is a pill with a large dose of a hormone. It prevents or delays ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries for fertilisation), lowering the risk of getting pregnant.

Either way, "Plan B" is an emergency measure that must not be used as regular contraception.

Regular contraception

Hormonal (pills, the ring, the hormonal IUD, injections*) and non-hormonal (condoms and the copper IUD).

*We're leaving out low-effectiveness methods such as the diaphragm, the sponge, spermicidal gel and — especially — withdrawal.

Contraception should be chosen together with a doctor

But in most cases a consultation is enough, including a remote one. There is no mandatory list of tests, let alone a universal test that would identify "your" pills.

The doctor's job is to look at your medical history and rule out risks (thrombosis, for example).

Sometimes choosing contraception is the only way to get a person to see a doctor at all, so this appointment is often combined with other check-ups.

Hormonal contraception lowers the risk of colorectal, ovarian and endometrial cancer (by about 30–50%).

But it slightly raises the risk of breast and uterine cancer (by 7–10%, according to various studies).

You and your doctor may have to try several methods, but the sense of safety that contraception gives is definitely worth it.

Condoms are always an alternative to regular contraception.