CONTRACEPTIVE OPTIONS

Did you know that within just 10 days of giving birth, it’s theoretically possible for you to get pregnant again? It’s never too early to make an informed choice about post-baby contraception. Here are your options.

having no period at all. Cons Some women experience side effects such as increased appetite, headaches and depression, especially for the first three months. Return to fertility can take up to nine months. No protection against STIS or HIV. Is it safe for breastfeeding? Yes. Cost Free from government clinics, and reasonably priced at chemists with clinics and private facilities.

The patch sticks to your body like a large plaster, usually on the bum, upper arm or thigh. It uses the same hormones as the pill, that are released into your body over time. It requires one new patch per week for three weeks and one week patchfree per month. Used correctly, it’s 91 percent effective. Pros In some women it helps regulate the menstrual cycle and may help decrease cramps and acne. Cons You need a prescription. You must remember to change the patch each week and go one week patch free each month. Some women experience unpleasant side effects such as increased appetite, headaches and depression, especially for the first three months. It’s not recommended for women who’re over 35, are very overweight, are smokers, or have heart problems or circulatory diseases. It doesn’t protect against STIS or HIV. Is it safe for breastfeeding? No. Cost Slightly more costly than the pill but still reasonably priced at chemists and private clinics. Not available at government clinics. This is a tiny soft silicone device that’s inserted under the skin in your upper arm. It uses a slow-release dose of progestin to suppress ovulation for three years. Used correctly, it’s 99 percent effective. Pros Long-lasting, very effective and doesn’t require any clinical follow up. It can be removed at any time and return to fertility is immediate. Cons Some women experience unpleasant side effects, such as increased appetite, headaches and depression, especially in the first three months. It can cause irregular bleeding. It’s not recommended for women who’ve had blood clots or any vein disorders, any cancer that’s hormone sensitive, or liver disease. There’s some debate on whether its effectiveness is affected by ARVS (ask your healthcare provider for the latest recommendations). It doesn’t protect against STIS or HIV. Is it safe for breastfeeding? Yes. Cost Up to R2 000 from a private doctor, and free from some government clinics.

Placed inside the vagina, this flexible ring releases hormones that prevent conception. It needs to be replaced every month. Used correctly, it’s 91 percent effective. Pros Easy to insert yourself. In some women it can stabilise the menstrual cycle and help with acne. Cons You must remember to take the ring out at the end of the third week, and insert a new one at the beginning of the next cycle a week later. It can be expelled from the vagina by mistake. Although rare, it may cause thrombosis (blood clots). It’s not recommended for women who’re over 35, are smokers, or have liver or heart disease, diabetes, migraines, blood-clotting disorders or uncontrolled high blood pressure. It doesn’t protect against STIS or HIV. Is it safe for breastfeeding? No. Cost It’s not yet widely available in South Africa, so ask a gynaecologist for more details and fees.