Longer Lasting Contraception (LARCS)
Longer lasting contraception is sometimes known as 'longer-acting reversible contraception' (LARC). They are ideal for people who don’t want to have to take a pill every day.
Injection
The contraceptive injection is given into a muscle into your arm or bottom and works in a number of ways. It stops the egg being released from the ovaries, it also thickens the mucus at the neck of the womb (making it harder for sperm to get through) and thins the lining of the womb (making it harder for a fertilized egg to implant).
It offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Depo-Provera is the most common type used in the UK and will protect you for up to 12 weeks. After this you will need to get another injection in twelve weeks’ time to stay protected.
If used correctly it's more than 99% effective. This means that less than one woman in 100 who use the injection will become pregnant in a year. However, you must remember to get your next scheduled injection on time, if you are late you risk getting pregnant.
Easy read information; Contraceptive Injection Leaflet
Hormonal Coil IUS
An intrauterine system is a small, T-shaped plastic device that contains progestogen. The IUS works in a number of different ways.
Firstly, the hormone thickens the mucus in the neck of the womb which makes it very difficult for sperm to get past.
Secondly the hormone can also stop an egg being released from the ovary.
Finally, the IUS prevents a fertilized egg implanting itself properly into the womb where it can grow into a baby.
The IUS is more than 99% effective. This means that fewer than one in every 100 women who use the IUS will get pregnant in a year. It lasts for up to 5 years or until it is removed.
Like many other contraceptive methods, the IUS offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Easy read information; Coil Leaflet
Coil IUD
The coil can be a hormone-free alternative to contraception. The intrauterine device (IUD, also known as 'the coil') lasts between 3 and 10 years and is a small plastic and copper ‘T’ shaped device that sits inside the womb (uterus). The main way an IUD works is to stop sperm reaching an egg. It does this by preventing sperm from surviving in the cervix, uterus or fallopian tube.
It may also work by stopping a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb. IUDs are more than 99% effective. This means that less than one in every 100 women who use an IUD will become pregnant in a year.
It can also be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy as a form of emergency contraception.
Like many contraception methods, the IUD offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections
Easy read information; Coil Leaflet
Implant
It is a small flexible tube that's inserted under the skin of your upper arm under local anaesthetic and releases the hormone progestogen. The main way the implant works is by stopping the ovaries releasing eggs. In addition it thickens the mucus at the neck of the womb (which makes it harder for sperm to get through) and also makes the lining of the womb thinner so it is less likely to accept a fertilised egg.
The implant can provide contraceptive cover for up to 3 years and it's more than 99% effective. Fewer than one woman in 1,000 will get pregnant over the period of three years.
For more information please see FPA - Contraceptive implant guide
Easy read information; Contraceptive Implant leaflet