Which contraception is right for me?
The right contraception is the one that fits your health, your routine and your plans for a family. The main choices are condoms, the daily pill, the injection, the Copper T, the hormonal coil, and permanent methods. A calm, private talk with the doctor is the simplest way to choose.
Why is the new year a good time to think about contraception?
A new year is a natural moment to take stock and to make plans for the months ahead. Contraception is one plan that quietly matters a great deal: when your method fits your life, any pregnancy in your future is one you have chosen. It is also a good time to review a method that is not working for you, whether because of side effects, a changed routine or changed plans.
Whether you are married or not, advice about contraception is for you, and it is given privately and without judgement. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
What should you think about when choosing?
There is no single method that is right for everyone. The right one depends on your health and any medicines you take, your daily routine, whether your periods are heavy or painful, whether you may want a baby soon, later or not at all, and how you feel about hormones. Some health conditions make certain methods more or less suitable, which is why a doctor should check before you start. It also helps to be honest about what you will manage: a method that needs remembering every day suits some women well and others not at all.
How do condoms, the pill and the injection work?
Condoms need no prescription and are the only method that also helps protect against infections passed on through sex. They work well when used correctly every single time, and they are often used alongside another method.
The contraceptive pill is taken every day, ideally at the same time. It suits women who are comfortable with a daily routine, and a doctor should first check that it is suitable for your health. Fertility returns soon after stopping.
The contraceptive injection is given at regular intervals, every few months, so there is nothing to remember each day, only appointments to keep. After stopping it, fertility can take a little while to return, which is worth knowing if you hope to conceive soon.
What are the Copper T and the hormonal coil?
These long-acting methods are small devices placed inside the womb by the doctor during a short visit at the hospital in Goa. Once in place, there is nothing to remember, which is a large part of why they protect so reliably.
The Copper T contains no hormones and protects for many years. The hormonal coil, known by brand names such as Mirena, releases a very small amount of hormone inside the womb. It also protects for several years, and many women find that their periods become lighter. Our team uses the hormonal coil very frequently, because it suits many women well. Both can be removed whenever you wish, and fertility returns after removal.
Who are permanent methods for?
For couples who are sure their family is complete, there are permanent methods: a tubectomy for a woman, which closes the fallopian tubes, and a vasectomy for a man, which closes the tubes that carry sperm. Both are meant to be permanent, so they deserve time and a calm conversation together. If there is any doubt, a long-acting method such as the Copper T or the hormonal coil may suit you better for now.
Can you change methods later?
Yes. Contraception is not a one-time decision. What suits you now may not suit you after a baby, a change in your health or a change in your plans, and switching is usually straightforward when you talk it through first. If a method is giving you side effects or is hard to keep up, please do not simply stop it; speak to us, so that you stay protected while you change. Our guide to preventing an unplanned pregnancy explains why a gap in protection matters.
What if you are planning a pregnancy this year?
That is a plan too, and a happy one. Talk to us before you stop your method, so that we can check your health, answer your questions and help you prepare. A simple health check before you try can help you start well, and it is never too early to ask. Our guide on how to become pregnant covers the basics. If you would rather wait a little longer, keep using your method until you are ready.
How does a talk with the doctor help?
A short, private conversation is the simplest way to choose well. The doctor asks about your health, your periods, any medicines you take and your plans, checks what needs checking, and explains the options that genuinely suit you. There is no pressure towards any particular method, and you can change your mind later. Once you have chosen, we see you again to check that all is well. You can read more about contraception and family planning at the hospital.
Getting started
If you would like to choose or change your contraception this year, call or message us. We will listen, answer your questions and help you find a method that fits your life, with complete privacy. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
What is the difference between the Copper T and the hormonal coil?
Both are small devices placed inside the womb by the doctor, and both protect for years. The Copper T contains no hormones. The hormonal coil releases a small amount of hormone inside the womb, and many women find their periods become lighter.
Do condoms protect against infections?
Yes. Condoms are the only method that also helps protect against infections passed on through sex, so they are often used alongside another method.
Can I stop my contraception if I want a baby?
Yes. The pill can be stopped, and the Copper T and the hormonal coil can be removed, whenever you choose, and fertility returns. After the injection, it can take a little longer. Permanent methods are meant to be permanent.
Can I get contraception advice if I am not married?
Yes. Contraception advice is for every woman, married or not, and it is given privately and without judgement.
Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641
This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.