- Do you have unsafe sex? Then you can get pregnant
- A condom doesn’t protect you 100% from getting pregnant
- Therefore, also use another contraceptive method
These offer good protection
There are various ways to make sure you don’t get pregnant.
Don’t know which one to choose? Contact the Sense info line. They can help you.
The pill
The pill is a small pill that contains hormones. The hormones prevent you from getting pregnant. There are different types of pills. Each has different amounts and types of hormones.
You take the pill every day. Most pills have a short stop period after 21 days. Don't want to bleed? Then you can skip the stop period.
The pill is very reliable if you take it around the same time every day.
Read more about the pill (Dutch only)
Contraceptive injection
The birth control shot is an injection with hormones. The hormones prevent you from getting pregnant. There are two types of injections. It varies where the injection needs to be given. Discuss this with your doctor.
Your doctor will give you the injection. You'll get it in your buttock, arm, thigh, or abdomen. You'll need to get a new injection every 3 months.
The contraceptive injection is very reliable if you get a new injection every 3 months on time.
Read more about the contraceptive injection (Dutch only)
IUD
An IUD is a small anchor. The doctor inserts it into your uterus. There are 2 types:
- Copper IUD: without hormones
- Hormone IUD: with hormones
You can leave an IUD in for a long time. A hormonal IUD can be left in for 5 or 8 years. A copper IUD can be left in for 5 or 10 years. You cannot get pregnant during that time. Then you have to have the coil removed. You can then get a new one.
The insertion of an IUD is (very) painful for some people. But this is not the case for everyone. Are you worried about the pain? Talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes you can be given anesthesia.
IUDs are very reliable.
Read more about the copper IUD (Dutch only)
Read more about the hormone IUD (Dutch only)
Contraceptive implant (Implanon)
A contraceptive implant is a small rod with hormones. These hormones prevent pregnancy. The doctor inserts the implant into your arm, under your skin. You can't see the implant, but you can feel it when you press on the skin.
The implant can remain in place for 3 years. You cannot get pregnant during this time. After that, you must have the implant removed. You can then get a new one.
The implant often makes your periods lighter. Some people stop menstruating altogether while the implant is in their arm.
The contraceptive implant is very reliable.
Read more about contraceptive implant (Dutch only)
Contraceptive patch
A contraceptive patch is a beige patch with hormones. These hormones prevent pregnancy. You stick the patch onto your skin. You can use this anywhere except on your breasts and thighs.
You must wear a new patch every week. After 3 weeks, you can leave the patch off for 1 week. You will then get your period. Don't want to get your period? You can also keep the patch on.
The contraceptive patch is very reliable if you change it every week.
Read more about contraceptive patches (Dutch only)
Contraceptive ring (Nuvaring)
The contraceptive ring is a flexible plastic ring that you insert into your vagina yourself. It contains hormones. The hormones prevent pregnancy.
You leave the ring in for 3 weeks. Then you remove it. You will then get your period. After 4 to 7 days, you insert a new ring. If you don't want to get your period, you can insert a new ring immediately after 3 weeks.
Some people feel the ring during sex. If this feels uncomfortable, you can remove the ring from your vagina for a maximum of 3 hours. You must reinsert it within 3 hours. If you wait longer than 3 hours, the ring is no longer reliable.
The contraceptive ring is very reliable if you replace it on time every time.
Read more about the contraceptive ring (Dutch only)
Condom
A condom offers good protection against STIs and pregnancy, but not 100%.
If you don't want to get pregnant, it's best to use another method of contraception, such as the pill.
Sterilization
Sterilization is a surgical procedure. The doctor closes off your fallopian tubes. You can no longer get pregnant.
Only get sterilized if you are certain you don't want (any more) children. You can never get pregnant again after such a procedure.
Read more about sterilization (Dutch only)
This doesn’t offer good protection
Some people try other methods to avoid pregnancy. But these are unreliable. You can still get pregnant.
Pulling out before coming
Pulling out before coming means withdrawing the penis from the vagine just before you ejaculate. The idea is to prevent sperm from entering the vagina.
Withdrawal is unreliable. It's difficult to do correctly. During sex, fluid can also escape from the penis. This fluid also contains sperm, which can lead to pregnancy.
Natural methods
A "natural method" means not using contraception to avoid pregnancy. For example, you monitor your fertile days. On these days, you either avoid penis-in-vagina sex or use a condom.
There are various methods and tools to determine your fertile days. This is also called 'cycle tracking'.
It's difficult to predict your fertile days precisely. You ovulate on different days of your cycle. Stress, illness, lack of sleep, medications, or alcohol can also cause you to ovulate sooner or later.
Natural methods are unreliable. It's often very difficult to accurately predict when you are fertile or not.
Read more about natural methods (Dutch only)
Spermicidal creams, gel and foam
Spermicidal products are available in the form of pastes, gels, ointments, or creams.
You must always use these products in combination with other contraceptive methods, such as a diaphragm. You must leave the product in your vagina for at least 6 hours after sex.
You may experience allergic reactions or irritation from the chemicals in the spermicide. This can damage your vagina, making it easier to contract an STI.
Morning-after pill
Did you have sex without using contraception? Or did something go wrong with a condom? You can usually still prevent pregnancy. You can buy the morning-after pill or a morning-after IUD.
What morning-after products are there?
There are two types of morning-after products:
- The morning-after pill
- The morning-after IUD
The morning-after pill
The morning-after pill delays ovulation. Sperm cells don't encounter an egg, so fertilization can't occur. If an egg has already been released, the morning-after pill can't help.
There are two types of morning-after pills:
- The regular morning-after pill. You can take this up to 3 days after unprotected sex. It costs about 15 euros.
- EllaOne. You can take this up to 5 days after sex. It costs about 20 euros.
When should I take the morning-after pill?
You should take a morning-after pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex. The sooner you take the pill, the lower the risk of pregnancy.
Do I need to go to a doctor?
The morning-after pill is available at drugstores and pharmacies. You don't need to go to a doctor.
The morning-after IUD
You can also have a copper IUD inserted up to five days after unprotected sex. This prevents fertilization. The advantage of the copper IUD is that you are also protected against pregnancy in the future, for 5 to 10 years.
The copper IUD has to be inserted by a doctor. Make an appointment as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
Read more about morning-after products here (Dutch only)
Did you have unsafe sex? Take an STI test
Did you have sex without a condom? You might have an STI. Get an STI test at the municipal health service (GGD) or at your doctor's office. Then you will know for sure whether you have an STI. And you will get medicine for it right away.
Pregnant
Do you think you’re pregnant? Then get a pregnancy test. That’s how to know for sure. And you can think about what you want to do.
When can I do a test?
You can do a pregnancy test starting on the first day you were supposed to get your period. That is when your period starts to be ‘late’. Take it before that? Then you won’t know for certain whether the result is correct.
How much does a pregnancy test cost?
Pregnancy tests costs around 15 euros and you can buy them at the drugstore.
What if I’m pregnant?
Are you pregnant? Then you have to decide if you want to keep the baby.
Not sure what you want? Do you have questions or are you looking for help? You can find more information about unwanted pregnancy at fiom.nl (Dutch only).
