How well does birth control work?

There are two ways to rate how well birth control methods work. You can say how good they are if people use them perfectly.

What is the pill?

It’s a pill that women swallow every day. Combined birth control pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin. 'Mini-pills', or progestin-only pills, only contain progestin.

What is withdrawal/pull out method?

Withdrawal is when a man pulls his penis out of a woman’s vagina before he ejaculates – the moment where semen comes out of his penis. It’s also known as the pull out method or coitus interruptus.

Outercourse/Sex without penetration

Outercourse can mean different things to different people. Some people consider outercourse as any sex play without sexual intercourse (when a man inserts his penis into a woman’s vagina). For others, outercourse means sex play without any penetration (oral, anal, vaginal).

Which contraceptive method suits me?

There are a lot of factors that affect your choice of contraceptive method. How old are you? Can you get the method in your country? How acceptable is the method in your culture? How do you and your partner feel about it?

What is abstinence?

In general, abstinence means not having sexual intercourse. You can enjoy being sexual and intimate without having sexual intercourse.

FAQs - Pregnancy

When you're pregnant you want to do everything right so you can have a healthy baby. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

If you have a miscarriage

If you’re pregnant, hopefully it will end with you holding a healthy baby. But things can go wrong.

Mother & baby health tips

How can you do your best to make sure your baby develops well and is born healthy? And look after yourself at the same time? Here are a few of the most important tips. (And below them, some recipes for regret.)

Pregnancy 'side effects'

First of all, let's be clear, you’re not ill you’re pregnant! But as your body changes and gets ready for the birth, there can be some ‘side effects’ you’d rather do without.