Types of planned contraception

Planned methods of contraception are used before or during sex, to stop you from becoming pregnant.

Some methods of contraception use the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the hormones that your own body produces to control your menstrual cycle (when your body prepares to have a baby each month). When these hormones are used in contraception, they can stop you from getting pregnant.

Epilepsy Action has more information about the menstrual cycle.

Combined oral contraceptive pill (the Pill)

The Pill contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. For many brands of the Pill, you take a tablet every day for 21 days and then you take a break for seven days. For some brands, you take a tablet every day, without taking a break.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.

Condoms

These are barriers, often made from rubber, that fit over your partner’s penis.

Having epilepsy or taking epilepsy medicines will not make condoms work less well than they should.

Contraceptive implants

A contraceptive implant is a small tube that is implanted under the skin in your upper arm. It slowly releases the hormone progestogen into your body. An implant can last up to three years, but it can be removed before then.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.

Contraceptive patches

Contraceptive patches contain the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. You stick a patch on part of your body and it slowly releases the hormones through your skin, into your body. You usually apply a new patch once a week for three weeks. You then take a break for seven days.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.

Depo-Provera contraceptive injections

These injections contain the hormone progestogen. They are injected into a muscle and slowly release the hormone into the body. You usually need to have an injection every twelve weeks.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.

Depo-Provera contraceptive injections can speed up bone loss, as can some epilepsy medicines. This may lead to a condition called osteoporosis, which causes bones to become thinner and more brittle, so they break more easily. For this reason, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested that Depo-Provera injections should be used with caution by some women. These are women who are under 18 and women who are over 45. However, WHO also say that the advantages of using Depo-Provera generally outweigh the disadvantages.

If you are considering using Depo-Provera injections, it’s advisable to seek advice about osteoporosis from your doctor.

More information about epilepsy and osteoporosis is available from Epilepsy Action 

Diaphragms and caps

These are rubber or plastic barriers that fit inside your vagina.

Having epilepsy or taking epilepsy medicines will not make diaphragms or caps work less well than they should.

Femidoms

These are polyurethane barriers that fit inside your vagina.

Having epilepsy or taking epilepsy medicines will not make femidoms work less well than they should.

Intrauterine devices (the coil)

These are devices made from plastic and copper which are fitted into your womb. They can last for five to 10 years, but can be removed before then. The coil can also be used as an emergency method of contraception.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.

Intrauterine systems (Mirena coil)

These are devices made from plastic and copper. They also contain the hormone progestogen. They are fitted into your womb and release the progestogen directly into your womb. They can last for five years, but can be removed before then.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.

Natural birth control methods (rhythm and Persona)

Natural birth control methods rely on you accurately tracking your menstrual cycles. This is to identify the days when you are most fertile and likely to ovulate (release an egg). To reduce the risk of pregnancy, you should avoid sex on the days that you have identified that you are fertile. There are two main methods of natural birth control - rhythm and Persona.

1. The rhythm method involves counting the days of your menstrual cycle to decide when you are most fertile. You must have regular menstrual cycles for this to work.
2. The Persona method involves testing your urine for hormonal changes that indicate when you are fertile.

Natural birth control methods are not recommended for any woman with epilepsy.

Noristerat contraceptive injections

These are injected into the muscle of your buttock and slowly release the hormone progestogen into your body. You usually need to have an injection every eight weeks.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.

Progestogen-only pills (the mini-pill)

Mini-pills contain the hormone progestogen. You take a tablet every day. The mini-pill only works well if you take it according to the instructions from your doctor. This usually means taking it at the same time each day. If you don’t, there is a risk that you will get pregnant.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.

Vaginal rings

Vaginal rings are plastic rings that fit into your vagina and slowly release the hormones oestrogen and progestogen into your bloodstream. One ring lasts for three weeks, then you take a break for seven days.

Find out if this method of contraception may work for you on the epilepsy medicines and contraception page.