What's the best contraception for you?

What’s the Best Contraception For You?

There are so many different ways of preventing pregnancy to suit different people. This is so you can work out the best contraception for you (if you need it).

Here’s a really quick guide to all the different kinds of contraception. There are more links below to more detailed posts I’ve written. There is no best contraception, just one that is best for you. It can take a bit of trial and error to get one that works for you and your partner.

Hormonal Contraception

These methods all work by introducing a small amount of extra hormone inside the body. As you can see there are lots of ways to do this. Hormonal methods are also used to treat other health issues, such as severe acne or really heavy random periods. So, for example, some girls or women* might these methods even if they are not having sex or even thinking about having sex.

*or anyone else with a uterus

Hormonal methods of contraception
Hormonal methods of contraception

Read more about hormonal methods of contraception.

Non Hormonal

Non hormonal methods of contraception
Non hormonal methods of contraception

These all work by preventing sperm and eggs from meeting, which is known as barrier contraception. The IUD works by doing this but also prevents fertilization too.

Read more about non hormonal methods of contraception

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Other Methods

Some of these methods aren’t recommended for teens but if you think they’re right for you, you can ask for it.

Sexy Methods

Another great method of contraception (which people don’t really talk about enough) is having sex without penis in vagina sex. Things like mutual masturbation, dry humping (sex with some clothes on = jeans emoji), or oral sex. More about those at my What Is Sex article.

If you are really really worried about pregnancy but want to have penis in vagina sex sex then you could

  • use a hormonal method as well as condoms
  • you could use condoms and not come inside your partner.
  • Or you could do all three, which my friend tells me is called ‘triple bagging’; but she may have made that up.

Find your local sexual health service, where you can get free and confidential contraception and other services.

sexual health services everything is free and confidential

Comment below if you like. I moderate all comments before they appear, just so you know!

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I’ve been a sex and relationships educator since 1999 (with a background in youth and community work). In that time I’ve taught and given advice about sex and relationships with thousands of young people in person and millions online. I’ve worked with many charities, local governments, schools and youth organisations facilitating training and workshops. My two books, Enjoy Sex (How, When, and If You Want To) and Can We Talk About Consent? are widely available around the world. I’m also a member of the World Association for Sexual Health. Justin Hancock

18 thoughts on “What’s the Best Contraception For You?

  1. she was standing little bit to the side when we did it, so my ejaculation fluid didn’t get on her body. but i still worried that she will get pregnant from this.

  2. hi bish, yesterday i did mutual masturbation with my partner, she gave a hand job and i finger her. we did that while we standing. before i finger her i washed my hand first, and when she give me a hand job i ejaculate on her hand. after that we going to bathroom and clear ourself, she wash her hand , then pee and wash her vagina after. could this scenario possible to get her pregnant?

  3. I am 15 years old turning 16 soon, and I had unprotected sex 2 days in a row and my hymen still hasn’t popped or ripped and he didn’t come inside me both times. What are my chances there? And I’m pretty sure I started my period the second day we did it Bec I started bleeding during it and suddenly my period stopped and I literally only had it for a day and a half. So I’m worried that might not of been my period. I took a plan b after the second time but I’m not sure if that really lowered my chances from the first time. And I know since he didn’t come inside me the chances are lower, but precum is still a thing and I am just worried Bec my period hasn’t happened this month and that happened 3 days ago. It’s the 23 and hopefully I get my period soon.

    1. So it’s unlikely that you are pregnant from what you describe. There is only a very very very small risk of pregnancy from penis in vagina sex without full ejaculation, more on that here Am I Pregnant? and Plan B (or emergency contraception) is very very effective Emergency Contraception

      You might also both want to have a read of a few more articles on here about first time sex Have the Best First Time Sex and also about the hymen, which is now called something else

  4. Hi Bish,
    Not sure if this is still active but it’s worth an ask. I know you can put lube on the outside of the vagina but is it safe to put water-based lube inside a vagina as well?
    thanks!

  5. So the pill I’m currently on was fine but chances are it’s giving me blurry vision which I was told could happen. I’m considering a different method of contraception I’ve ruled out the coil or any foreign body staying up there for that long purely for the fact it terrifies me and I’ve heard the implant makes you moodier I think the patch could just fall off me or I could forget it then I’ve heard other girls say their breasts have grown from coming off the pill and I’m already a size g so I really don’t know what’s best, what would you recommend?

    1. Hi Lauren

      The thing about contraception is that it effects different people differently. So, for example, some people don’t like the implant but some people absolutely love it (though you should know that the patch is well sticky). I think that you should go back to your contraception provider and tell them about your blurry vision and chat about which contraception might work best for you. Sorry I can’t recommend you anything!

      Justin

  6. hello everyone, i wanna say something & its really important so i need you to focus on it please.
    lets start, i’ve dry humped my boyfriend few times, and my period was late for 9 days. i kept freaking out and i’ve been stressed out for real. i got tired from stressing myself so i was like screw it ! whatever happens happens..
    i got my period after 9 days late, lemme say the truth its actually happened after i stopped stressing myself about it..
    girls, stress can delay your periods for real, you can’t get pregnant from dry humping, relax & chill, try to stop thinking please & you’ll get your period, trust me i’ve been in the same situation.
    good luck girls <3 !

  7. I’m 14 and have had sex twice this year at first I was really scared so I talked to my bf about it. He said he would do it with me at first I was scared because we wore condoms but now he doesn’t want to wear one. Help please what should I do we have been together sense we were 12 and I really love him but is am not ready for a kid. He says that he is ready and that he can use self control but I really don’t want to take that chance. What should I do? And the first time we had sex was when I turned 14 I think it was an exact week after my bday. Please txt me what to do about this ASAP

    1. Hi Abby

      Firstly I can’t really tell you what to do, because if I did that it would be taking away your decision making power (which is also what your boyfriend is trying to do).

      As you can see on this page the withdrawal method is not very effective (when your boyfriend talks about self-control I guess he’s talking about withdrawing his penis before he cums). So your boyfriend would be putting you at a higher risk of pregnancy, something that you say you really don’t want.

      You also say that you are really scared about having sex. People are often nervous or excited before they have sex, but scared is not so great. The word scared might be a sign that you aren’t really ready to be having sex (mostly people your age are not having sex, just in case you were thinking that you should be doing it by 14). Have you thought about what you really really want?

      Are you doing it because you’ve had a boyfriend for a couple of years? Lots of people think that they *should* have sex because they’ve been going out with someone for a while – there are no *shoulds*, instead think about what *you* want and need.

      Also, I don’t know what your relationship is like with this boy but from what you’re saying here he is willingly wanting to put you at risk of something you really don’t want. Is this someone you want to have sex with? Do you really trust him?

      And why do you have to make this decision so quickly? Why can’t you take your time and think about what the right decision for you is? Are you being pressured into doing something you don’t want? If so, that’s really not cool.

      Also think about the kind of ‘sex’ that you want. Sex is not just about penis in vagina and many people actually don’t really like it. If you do want to have sex but not take any risks you could masturbate, grind, massage, stroke, get naked – all of which can be really hot.

      I think you might benefit from talking to someone in real life that actually knows you, who is not your boyfriend. A parent, another relative, a friend – someone wise who you know will give you some really good advice. If your boyfriend isn’t happy with that (or with you taking your time) then this might be a sign that you’re in an abusive relationship.

      Also please have a look at these links
      http://bishuk.com/2009/08/01/should-i-have-sex/
      http://bishuk.com/2011/07/13/relationship-graph/
      http://bishuk.com/2009/07/22/how-to-be-an-amazing-lover-without-having-sex/

      So my advice is to take your time, get some advice from people who know you and think really really really hard about whether you are ready and whether you want to do it with him.

      Sorry I can’t text you (I deleted the number you included) but I hope you have found this helpful.

      Justin (Bish)

  8. I’m 13 and already have had sex… Now I can’t stop fingering myself. What should I do? (I’m a girl)

  9. Sex vidoas. Maar. Moet alees wys die totoie en. Ddie poes van die gril ek is 19 ek wil leer hou om te sex help my nou asb .

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