How Can We Prevent Pregnancy?

If you're reading this because a condom just broke, you missed a pill, or you're simply tired of worrying about your current birth control every day.

And then you may have read frightening stories about certain methods online out of concern about how to prevent pregnancy, but those experiences do not tell the whole story.

The reassuring part is that there are medical options that are safe and reliable.

In this guide, we'll go through those options clearly and without judgment. We'll look at what to do if contraception fails, how different methods work in everyday life, and how to start narrowing down which option may suit you best.

What to Do Right Now: Emergency Action After Unprotected Sex

This is a difficult situation, and you might be searching for how this pregnancy can be avoided immediately, and feeling anxious at this point is understandable. 

The important thing to know is that you may still have time to act.

Emergency contraception works within a limited timeframe, so the sooner you act, the more options may be available to you. People assume it is an abortion pill, but it will not work after pregnancy is detected and will not end an existing pregnancy.

One important thing: It does not cause permanent infertility. However, it is meant for emergencies, not as a regular method of contraception. 

The best way to understand how to prevent conception is to look at what options are available within each timeframe. 

Within 72 Hours (Up to 3 Days)

During the first three days, you may have the widest range of emergency contraception options.

• Levonorgestrel (Levonelle): It works by delaying ovulation; it is most effective when taken as soon as possible.

• Ulipristal acetate (EllaOne): It can be taken for up to 5 days and may be particularly useful if you are closer to ovulation, although some hormonal medicines can affect its suitability.

• The emergency copper coil (IUD): This has an effectiveness rate of over 99% when fitted within the appropriate timeframe. It can also stay in place afterwards, providing hormone-free contraception for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type used.

Between 72 and 120 Hours (3 to 5 Days)

If more than three days have passed, don't assume it is too late. You may still have options.

• Ulipristal acetate (EllaOne): This can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex and works mainly by reducing the chance of an egg being released for sperm to fertilise. 

• The emergency copper coil (IUD): It can usually be fitted within 5 days (120 hours) of unprotected sex and starts working immediately to prevent pregnancy and can also provide ongoing contraception for years. 

A note about your next period: After taking an emergency contraceptive pill, your next period may come a little earlier or later than usual, and you may notice some light spotting. Take a home pregnancy test 21 days after the unprotected sex, regardless of which emergency method you use

When to Get Medical Help

If you have taken emergency contraception and develop problems like:

• Severe or worsening lower-abdominal pain

• Fainting

• Severe dizziness

• Shoulder-tip pain

• Unusually heavy bleeding

Then, contact Dr. Lisa, a private GP (General Practitioner) who specialises in contraception

and women’s reproductive health, for medical advice. 

If you have signs of an allergic reaction, including hives or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, then go to the nearest emergency department or call your local emergency medical service. 

Exploring Your Main Contraceptive Options 

There is the pill, the implant, the copper coil, the hormonal coil, condoms, and several other options. With so many ways to prevent pregnancy, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. 

But you don't need to understand every detail of every method before making a decision, though. The easiest way to understand your options is to look at how much you want to manage yourself.

The "set it and forget it" methods

You are setting reminders for your pill, checking whether you have missed one, or trying to remember when your next dose is due.

If that feels like a regular part of your routine, a longer-lasting method may take some of that pressure away. Once fitted, you do not have to remember a pill every day or think about contraception each time you have sex.

The implant. This is a small, flexible rod placed just under the skin of your upper arm. Once fitted, it releases a low dose of progestogen and can provide contraception for up to 3 years.

It is over 99% effective and can be removed if your circumstances or plans change.

The IUD family. The term “coil” can sound like one method, but there are actually two quite different options: the hormonal coil and the copper coil.

• The hormonal coil. A hormonal coil, such as Mirena, releases progestogen inside the womb and can last between 3 and 8 years, depending on the type. 

• The copper coil. If you want long-term contraception without hormones. It can work for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type. One important difference is that it can also be used as emergency contraception when fitted within the appropriate timeframe after unprotected sex.

Both types can be removed when you no longer want them, so choosing one does not mean making a permanent decision.

The "In the Moment" Methods

Perhaps you have experienced side effects in the past, prefer not to have hormones affecting your cycle, or simply feel more comfortable with a non-hormonal option. 

Condoms are the best-known and only contraceptive method that helps protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). With perfect use, external condoms are highly effective, although their effectiveness is lower in everyday use because mistakes and breakages can happen.

For some women, that extra uncertainty is a reason to combine condoms with another contraceptive method. For others, condoms alone may suit their circumstances perfectly.

Diaphragms and cervical caps are another option. These reusable devices are placed inside the vagina before sex to cover the cervix and need to be used correctly each time.

These methods give you more control in the moment, but they also require more preparation than an implant or coil.

The "Routine-Based" Options

These options work best when you can comfortably build them into something you already do regularly, such as taking a pill at the same time each day or keeping track of your contraceptive schedule. The main thing to remember is that they only work as reliably as you use them, so staying consistent matters.

The pill comes in two main versions, depending on which hormones they contain: 

• The combined pill contains oestrogen and progestogen, which make it harder for sperm to enter the womb, and is taken every day.

• The progestogen-only pill, sometimes called the mini-pill, does not contain oestrogen and mainly works by thickening cervical mucus. However, the timing of the pill can be particularly important depending on the type prescribed.

The patch and the ring. These may suit you if you do not want to take a tablet every day but are comfortable following a routine. The patch is changed weekly, while the vaginal ring is changed according to its prescribed schedule.

The injection. This is given at regular intervals, usually every 8 to 13 weeks, depending on the type. It removes the need for a daily routine, although you do need to keep up with your appointments.

Which Contraception Is Right for You?

If you're looking into how to prevent pregnancy, you may start by exploring the different contraception options available to you.

Then suddenly, you are confused by pills, condoms, injections, implants, hormonal coils, copper coils, and more. One person says the pill worked well for them. Someone else recommends an implant.

There is no single method that is right for everyone.

The best choice depends on what matters most to you. Before comparing different options, take a moment to think about the following questions:

• Do you prefer a daily routine or a “set-and-forget” option? 

• Do you want to avoid changing your hormones, or are hormonal methods okay for you?

• What are your current periods like? 

• Do you have underlying medical conditions? 

• What are your plans for future pregnancy? 

• Do you need protection against STIs? 

Once you have a clearer idea of what matters most to you, the options become easier to compare. Narrow down your options that fit your lifestyle, preferences, and plans. 

A healthcare professional can also help you decide which of those options is suitable for you.

The IUD Reality Check: What to Expect Before You Decide 

Perhaps you have just dealt with a contraception scare. You took emergency contraception, used a condom, or found another way to prevent pregnancy this time.

But once the immediate panic has passed, another thought may stay with you: “I don't

want to be in this situation again.”

That is where looking beyond the immediate solution can help.

The Hormonal Coil: When Contraception Isn't Your Only Concern

For some women, preventing pregnancy is only part of the picture. Heavy periods, painful cramps, or difficult monthly bleeding may also be affecting everyday life.

A hormonal coil, such as Mirena, can help with both. 

Once fitted inside the womb, it releases progestogen locally, which helps prevent pregnancy by thickening the mucus around the cervix and making it harder for sperm to reach an egg, while also thinning the womb lining. It can also make periods lighter and less painful for many women. 

The next question is usually about fitting. It is placed inside the womb during an appointment, and the procedure itself is usually quite quick. 

You may feel some cramping during fitting as the coil passes through the cervix, but this is usually brief and settles soon afterward. It can then stay in place for several years, depending on the type, before it needs to be removed or replaced. 

The Copper Coil: When You Want Long-Term Protection Without Hormones

You might be dealing with persistent mood swings, severe skin breakouts, or unexplained weight changes that started when you went on hormonal birth control. 

Alternatively, you may have medical reasons, such as a history of migraines with aura, high blood pressure, or a personal risk for blood clots, that mean synthetic estrogen or progestogen simply aren't safe choices for you.

So consider a copper coil as a highly effective, long-term method that lets your natural hormonal cycle run completely uninterrupted.

A copper coil can generally be fitted at any time; you do not necessarily have to wait for a specific day of your menstrual cycle.

The simplest approach is to discuss your situation with a healthcare professional, who can confirm when it is safe and appropriate to have the copper coil fitted. 

If You Are Considering a Coil or Implant 

If you think that a contraceptive implant, copper coil, or Mirena coil could be a favourable option for you because you want reliable, long-term protection without having to remember contraception every day. 

You may also need support with fitting, removal, or replacement. 

Dr Lisa can help with each of these stages, so you can get the contraceptive care you need based on the option that feels right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which method prevents pregnancy and STIs?

Condoms are the only contraceptive method that also helps protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Other methods may prevent pregnancy but do not provide STI protection.

What's the most effective birth control method?

Long-acting methods such as the contraceptive implant and IUDs are among the most effective options, as they do not rely on you remembering to use them every day.

Can you prevent pregnancy without hormones?

Yes. Condoms and the copper IUD are hormone-free options, while natural fertility awareness methods may also be used but require careful tracking and consistent practice.

How do you prevent pregnancy?

You can prevent pregnancy by using contraception such as condoms, the pill, implants, coils, injections, patches, or vaginal rings. Fertility-awareness methods and permanent contraception are also options.