Preventing pregnancy

Contraception helps prevent pregnancy, but methods differ in reliability, use, side effects and medical suitability. Choose a method that fits your health and wishes with a knowledgeable professional, also use condoms against STIs and seek emergency contraception promptly after unprotected sex or an error with your method.

• Contraception is preventive and does not itself cause illness symptoms; side effects depend on the method chosen.
• Irregular bleeding or temporary absence of periods is common with hormonal methods and coils.
• Use the method exactly as instructed and record replacement dates or daily dosing times in your phone or diary.
• Read in advance what to do after a missed dose, vomiting, diarrhoea, detachment or late replacement, and keep those instructions.
• Seek advice the same day after unprotected sex, a split condom or an error with your method, because emergency contraception works better when used early.
• For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.