Home »
Overview of Temporary Contraception
Overview of Temporary Contraception
When making a decision about whether to pursue permanent contraception, it is important to know all of your options, including remaining on temporary contraception. Oral contraceptives, coils, and the ring are examples of temporary methods of contraception. Many forms of contraception release hormones. Unlike temporary methods of contraception, the Essure procedure does not contain hormones and is intended for women who do not want children in the future.
The following table provides information about a variety of temporary contraception methods and the portion of women likely to become pregnant within a year while utilizing that method, based on multiple studies.
Please note: Not all temporary methods of contraception can be used during the three-month waiting period before the Essure Confirmation Test. Please talk to your doctor about which form of temporary contraception you should use during this time.
|
Description |
|
Failure rate |
|
Risks |
|
Routine | |
| Oral contraceptives, progestin-only (minipill) | An oestrogen /progestin-based pill that suppresses ovulation | 8% | Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood, weight gain. Rare: cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, stroke | Must be taken daily | ||||
| Oral contraceptives | A progestin-based pill that inhibits fertilization | 8% | Irregular bleeding, weight gain, breast tenderness, less protection against ectopic pregnancy | Must be taken daily | ||||
| Injection (Depo Provera®) | A progestin-containing injection that inhibits ovulation and fertilization | 3% | Irregular bleeding, weight gain, breast tenderness, headaches | One injection every month or every 3 months | ||||
| Vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing®) | A flexible ring inserted in the vagina that releases progestin and oestrogen to prevent ovulation and fertilization | 8% | Vaginal discharge, vaginitis, irritation, other risks similar to those posed by oral contraceptives | Inserted by the woman and kept in place for three-week intervals. If expelled for more than three hours during the three-week interval, another method of contraception must be used | ||||
| Patch (Ortho Evra®) | A patch worn on the body that releases progestin and oestrogen to prevent ovulation and fertilization | 8% | Similar to oral contraceptives-combined pill | A new patch must be applied each week, except for the week of the menstrual period | ||||
| Coil (Mirena®) | A device placed in the uterus by a healthcare professional emits hormones, preventing ovulation | 0.2% | Ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, perforation of the uterus, embedding into the uterus, cramps, bleeding, miscarriage, premature birth, breast cancer, nausea, mood swings, headaches, nervousness, inflammation/pain of vagina/uterus, back pain, weight gain, , acne, hypertension changes in menstrual cycle | Remains in place for between 1 and 5 years | ||||
| Coil (Paraguard®) | A device placed in the uterus by a healthcare professional that releases copper, preventing ovulation and fertilization | 0.8% | Pelvic inflammatory disease, perforation of the uterus, embedding into the uterus, cramps, bleeding, vaginal discharge, allergic reaction, expulsion, anaemia, ectopic pregnancy, life-threatening infection, miscarriage, premature birth, Wilson’s disease, vaginal infection, inflammation/pain of vagina/uterus, back pain, pain during sex, fainting, changes in menstrual cycle | Remains in place for between 1 and 10 years | ||||
| Male condom | A sheath placed over the penis that prevents passage of sperm | 15% | Irritation, allergic reactions, reduced effectiveness if used with oil-based lubricants | Applied immediately before intercourse and used only once | ||||
| Female condom | A lubricated sheath placed in the vagina to prevent sperm from entering the uterus | 21% | Irritation and allergic reactions | Applied immediately before intercourse and used only once | ||||
| Diaphragm with spermicidal | A dome-shaped rubber disk with a flexible rim that covers the cervix so sperm cannot reach the uterus—a spermicidal must be applied to the dome of the diaphragm before insertion | 16% | Irritation, allergic reactions, urinary tract infection, risk of toxic shock syndrome | Inserted before intercourse and left in place for between 6 and 24 hours after. For repeated intercourse, spermicidal must be added without removing the diaphragm | ||||
| Spermicide | A foam, cream, jelly, film, suppository or tablet containing nonoxynol-9, a sperm-killing chemical | 29% | Irritation, allergic reactions, urinary tract infections | Instructions vary. Inserted 5 to 90 minutes before intercourse and usually left in place at least 6 to 8 hours after | ||||
| Periodic abstinence/rhythm method | Deliberately refraining from having sexual intercourse during times when pregnancy is more likely | 25% | None | Requires continuous monitoring of ovulation cycle and body temperature | ||||