Methods of regular contraception and how they work

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

• Combined oral contraceptive pill (the Pill)
• Condoms
• Contraceptive implants
• Contraceptive patches
• Depo-Provera contraceptive injections
• Diaphragms and caps
• Femidoms
• Intrauterine devices (the coil)
• Intrauterine systems (Mirena coil)
• Natural birth control methods (rhythm and Persona)
• Noristerat contraceptive injections
• Progestogen-only pills (the mini-pill)
• Vaginal rings

Combined oral contraceptive pill (the Pill)

The Pill contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. You usually take a tablet every day for 21 days and then you take a break for seven days.

Find out if the combined oral contraceptive pill (the Pill) is suitable for you:

• If you take clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, sodium valproate, tiagabine, vigabatrin or zonisamide
• If you take carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide or topiramate
• If you take lamotrigine

Condoms

These are barriers, often made from rubber, that fit over your partner’s penis. They do not involve the use of hormones.

Condoms are a recommended method of contraception for all people with epilepsy.

Contraceptive implants

Contraceptive implants contain the hormone progestogen. An implant is a small tube that is implanted under the skin in your upper arm. It slowly releases the hormone into your body. An implant can last up to three years.

Find out if contraceptive implants are suitable for you:

• If you take clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, sodium valproate, tiagabine, vigabatrin or zonisamide
• If you take carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide or topiramate
• If you take lamotrigine

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 contraceptive patches are suitable for you:

• If you take clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, sodium valproate, tiagabine, vigabatrin or zonisamide
• If you take carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide or topiramate
• If you take lamotrigine

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.

Depo-Provera contraceptive injections are a recommended method of contraception for all women with epilepsy. 

However, Depo-Provera contraceptive injections can speed up bone loss, as can some anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). This may lead to a condition called osteoporosis. This causes bones to become thinner and more brittle so they break more easily. If you take AEDs and are considering using Depo-Provera injections, it’s advisable to seek advice about osteoporosis from your doctor.

• More information about epilepsy and osteoporosis/osteomalacia

Diaphragms and caps

These are rubber or plastic barriers that fit inside your vagina. They do not involve the use of hormones.

Diaphragms and caps are a recommended method of contraception for all women with epilepsy. 

Femidoms

These are rubber barriers that fit inside your vagina. They do not involve the use of hormones.

Femidoms are a recommended method of contraception for all women with epilepsy. 

Intrauterine devices (the coil)

These are devices made from plastic and copper. They are fitted into your womb. The coil can also be used as an emergency method of contraception.

Intrauterine devices are a recommended method of contraception for all women with epilepsy. 

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.

Intrauterine systems (Mirena coil) are a recommended method of contraception for all women with epilepsy. 

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.

• 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 be effective.
• ii. The Persona method involves testing your urine for hormonal changes that indicate when you are fertile.

Natural birth control methods are not a recommended method of contraception if you have epilepsy.

The rhythm method

The rhythm method is not a recommended form of contraception. This is because your menstrual cycle may be changed by your epilepsy. The rhythm method is also less reliable in preventing pregnancy than other forms of contraception.

The Persona method

The Persona method of birth control is not a recommended form of contraception. This is because ovulation and the levels of hormones in your urine can be affected by both your seizures and your anti-epileptic drugs.

Noristerat contraceptive injections

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

Find out if noristerat contraceptive injections are suitable for you:

• If you take clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, sodium valproate, tiagabine, vigabatrin or zonisamide
• If you take carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide or topiramate
• If you take lamotrigine

Progestogen-only pills (the mini-pill)

Mini-pills only 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 progestogen-only pills (the mini-pill) are suitable for you:

• If you take clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, sodium valproate, tiagabine, vigabatrin or zonisamide
• If you take carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide or topiramate
• If you take lamotrigine

Vaginal rings

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

Find out if vaginal rings are suitable for you:

• If you take clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, sodium valproate, tiagabine, vigabatrin or zonisamide
• If you take carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide or topiramate
• If you take lamotrigine

Also in this section

• Methods of regular contraception and how they work
• Methods of emergency contraception and how they work
• Anti-epileptic drugs and contraception - a quick guide