Preparing for Pregnancy - Tesco

What are your choices?
Talk to your GP, practice nurse, Family Planning Clinic or pharmacist for advice on what form
of contraception will suit you best and what side effects you may encounter.
Condom
Female condom
Latex /
Diaphragm / Cap
Natural family
planning methods
Combined pill
Progestogen
only pill
Injection
Implant
IUD
IUS
Patch
Male vasectomy /
Female sterilisation
98% most no his rarely immediate yes
95% most no hers rarely immediate yes
92-96% some no hers rarely immediate
up to
98%
effectiveness
when used
correctly
no yes both no immediate yes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes
99% no yes hers sometimes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes
around
99%
protection
against STIs
spontaneity
whose role
no yes hers sometimes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes
over 99% no yes hers sometimes very quick
over 99% no yes his or sometimes
hers
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FAMILYPLANNING
side effects
very
quick
very
quick
reversibility
yes but needs
a little time
needs removing
but then
immediate
needs removing
but then
immediate
needs removing
but then
immediate
designed to be
irreversible
under your
control
needs initial
fitting by a
practitioner
prescription
only
needs prescription fitting
by a only doctor
needs renewing
every 3 months
- doctor’s visit
needs replacing
needs fitting
every 3 years
- by doctor’s a doctor visit
needs replacing
every 3-10 years
- doctor’s visit
needs replacing
every 5 years
- doctor’s visit
prescription
only
needs an
operation
Source: fpa (Family Planning Association) February 2005 N.B. If it’s important to you and your partner to avoid pregnancy,
spermicides alone or withdrawal are unlikely to be effective enough.
Choosing a condom
If people are having sex, or planning
to, they need to be aware of the risks
they’re taking and how to avoid them.
Condoms are the ONLY form of
contraception to help protect against
sexually transmitted infections as well as
unplanned pregnancy.
They’re easy to use, comfortable and can
be fun. Tesco healthcare department
stocks the major brands and there are
lots of different types to choose from
for added enjoyment and safer sex!
Even in a long-term relationship,
where you’re sure of your partner’s
sexual health, condoms can be a good
contraception choice to avoid pregnancy.
Where are they available?
You can get male condoms free from
family planning clinics, most sexual health
clinics, NHS walk-in clinics and some
general practices. Or you can buy them
from supermarkets (such as Tesco
healthcare department), chemists,
garages, vending machines and by mail
order. Female condoms aren’t as widely
available but some family planning clinics
provide them and Tesco Pharmacies can
order them for you. You can speak to
your pharmacist in a discreet consulting
room if you wish.
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FAMILYPLANNING
How to approach
safer sex:
BE CONFIDENT … Explain why it’s
important to you that you and your partner
use a condom.
BE ASSERTIVE … If your partner won’t
use a condom then say that you won’t have
sex without one. You know what’s best for
your body, so say exactly how you feel!
BE OPEN … If you find the subject
awkward (a lot of people do) say so and
persevere because it’s important you make
your views clear.
BE PRACTICAL … Don’t leave the
discussion until the last minute. Talk about
your views before you get carried away.
Explain that you are concerned about your
health and your partner’s.
BE FUN … Remember sex should be
enjoyable and condoms can be fun and sexy!