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Contraception is used to help prevent unintended pregnancies.  Some methods also help to prevent sexually transmitted infections.  Supporting individuals to find the method of contraception to best suit them will help to achieve these aims.

There are many different methods of contraception available; the majority of which are free of charge through the NHS.  NICE guidelines published in October 2005 suggest that Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) methods may have a wider role in contraception, and their increased uptake could help to reduce unintended pregnancy.

When a woman is sexually active contraception needs to be used from the first menstrual period until menopause.  That is, until a woman has not had a period or any bleeding for two years if aged under 50, and for one year if aged over 50.

Please see the Sexual Health – Contraception factsheet for the 15 different methods of contraception and more information.

Emergency Contraception

If a woman has had unprotected sex, that is sex without using contraception, or thinks that the contraception might have failed they can use emergency contraception.

There are two methods of emergency contraception:

Hormonal emergency contraception or emergency pill: 

• Levonelle which has to be used within 72 hours

• EllaOne which has to be used within 120 hours

The copper intrauterine device (IUD):

which has to be used within 120 hours of single episode of unprotected sex or before 5 days after earliest predicated ovulation if multiple episodes of unprotected sex.

To access Emergency Contraception women can contact their Local Family Planning Clinics, over 70 Pharmacies across North Yorkshire and York, or their GP.  The York Walk-In centre can also provide Emergency Contraception. 

For further information, please see the Contraception factsheet.