COSMOPOLITAN · 39CONDOMS
Female condoms, like their
male counterparts, protect
against STIs and pregnancy,
and are available for free
in many clinics.
PROSThey can be put in
up to eight hours before
having sex. Condoms are
also the only natural
contraception that
helps prevent STIs.
CONSThere’s a small
risk they may split. Also,
if used incorrectly, they
can slip or get pushed
up into the vagina – if
this happens during sex,
you may need to seek
emergency contraception.INTRAUTERINE DEVICES
IUDs are T-shaped plastic
devices that contain copper
and stop an egg from
implanting in your uterus.
PROSThey can prevent
pregnancy immediately (for
up to a decade) and don’t
interrupt sex. IUDs can even
be fitted as a method of
emergency contraception.
CONSYour periods may
be heavier, more painful or
last longer and there’s a
small risk of infection after
insertion. There’s also a very
minor chance of perforation
of the uterus or that the
IUD could be displaced.Until, somewhere along the line, I fell
pregnant. “We’ve seen an increase in
apps being used alongside alternative
methods of contraception,” says Dr
Buckley. “They’re good for prompting
and recording information, but apps
are susceptible to programming and
user errors.” Some apps, specifically
designed to be used as a digital
method of contraception, such as
Natural Cycles (the first app officially
cleared by EU regulators), rely on
women being able to measure their
basal body temperature at the same
time every day – a big commitment- which can be impacted by factors
such as illness, lack of sleep and
alcohol. On the Natural Cycles
website, in the section aimed at
medical professionals, it used to say
that the app is not recommended for
women who would be “devastated”
if they fell pregnant within the next
year, which doesn’t exactly scream
failsafe (they state a 93% success rate
with typical use, meaning, on average,
seven in 100 women do fall pregnant
using this method). I had an abortion
following my pregnancy, and my
boyfriend and I started using condoms
without fail, instead of an app.
PRESENT DAYCopper coil
After taking many an online “What
method of contraception should
I use?” quiz, I booked in to have an
intrauterine device (IUD) fitted. It
appealed because it was completely
hormone-free and didn’t require me
to set constant reminders on my
phone to pop a pill or check where inmy cycle I was at on a virtual calendar
before having sex. The appointment
took around 45 minutes. The nurse
measured my cervix, which stung
but wasn’t unbearable, then fitted me
with the copper and plastic device
that prevents pregnancy for up to 10
years. Once it was inside, the nurse
cut the attached strings – which he
advised me to check were still in place
once a month – and that was that. My
periods are set to be heavier for the
next few months and I’ve had some
seriously strong cramps, but I can have
sex without panicking about anotherunwanted pregnancy and my mood
hasn’t been affected at all. Oh, and no,
it won’t set off the sensors at Gatwick.
After 10 years, I’ve finally found
a method I’m happy with. But what
works for me might not for you,
because here’s the thing: there is
no “one size fits all” when it comes to
contraception. Sometimes it feels like
we invest more time and energy in
working out what we want for lunch
than we do our contraceptive choices.
It’s OK to question the method
you’re using, and listen to the signs
your body is giving you if you do. ◆The A toZof hormone-free options
WORDS JENNIFER SAVIN. ADDITIONAL WORDS ELEANOR JONES, CAT HARVEY-JENNER. PHOTOGRAPHS JAMIE CHUNG/TRUNK ARCHIVE, PIXELEYES PHOTOGRAPHY. *THE PERIOD TRACKER APP DOES NOT RECOMMEND THIS MANNER OF USAGE
DIAPHRAGMS OR
CERVICAL CAPS
Both dome-shaped devices,
diaphragms fit into the
vagina and over the cervix,
while caps need to be put
onto the cervix directly.
They initially need to be
fitted by a professional
and used in conjunction
with spermicide for
maximum effectiveness.
PROS Both can be put in
before sex so they don’t
disturb the moment (add
extra spermicide if you
have sex more than three
hours after putting it in).
They won’t affect your
menstrual cycle either.
CONS It’s recommended
that you do not use a
diaphragm or cap during
your period, and some
women can develop cystitis.NATURAL FAMILY
PLANNING
This involves monitoring
your fertility signs (cervical
secretions, menstruation
cycle and basal body
temperature) to find out
when during the month
you can have sex with a
reduced risk of pregnancy.
PROS There’s no need for
any intrusive devices or
chemicals. Apps, such as
Dot and Natural Cycles, canassist with getting to grips
with the process.
CONS You’ll need another
form of contraception if
you want to have sex
during your fertile times.
Between September and
December 2017, one major
Swedish hospital reported
that 37 of the 668 women
who had sought an
abortion through their
services were using Natural
Cycles as their sole method
of contraception.SPONGES
As you might imagine
from the name, the sponge
is, well, a sponge, which
contains spermicide to
help prevent pregnancy.
They are a single-use option
and can’t be worn for more
than 30 hours at a time.
PROS They’re easy to use
but require a bit of prep –
you have to wet the sponge
to activate the spermicide,
and then insert it, as far
up as is comfortable. They
also need to be left in your
vagina for at least six hours
after sex, so include this in
your 30-hour calculation.
CONS Sponges aren’t
recommended for women
who’ve had physical trauma
in the area, given birth, or
been through miscarriage
or abortion recently.