The purpose of contraception is to prevent pregnancy. There are two main types of contraception: hormonal and non-hormonal.
Hormonal contraception includes the contraceptive pill, the progestogen only pill, the combined vaginal ring, the contraceptive patch, the progestogen only injection, the progestogen implant and the intrauterine system (IUS)
These methods are hormonal because they work by releasing hormones into the body which then prevent pregnancy. The hormones work by stopping ovulation, making cervical mucous thicker to stop sperm meeting an egg and by thinning the womb lining so eggs cannot implant.
Some hormonal contraception may have side effects including breast tenderness, headaches and nausea> These often subside as your body gets used to the contraceptive.
