Approaches in reproductive healthcare
The introduction of the contraceptive pill in the 1960s played an important role in reproductive health for women by enabling pregnancy to be planned or avoided. Over time, contraception has become a recognised part of healthcare, with a range of approaches available that reflect differences in healthcare settings and individual circumstances.
How does contraception work?
A fertile woman’s body typically releases an egg from their ovaries once a month.
Contraception prevents pregnancy by interrupting or changing this natural process.
Some contraceptive methods block sperm from entering the cervix and making their way to the egg, while others affect the fertility hormones in the woman’s body to stop the ovaries releasing an egg each month, or by creating an environment where a fertilised egg cannot grow.
Which types of contraception are available?
Over time, the range of contraceptive approaches available within healthcare has increased. These approaches differ in how they are used and how they act within the body, reflecting developments in reproductive healthcare and clinical practice globally.
Some contraceptive approaches are used on a regular basis, while others are designed to work over a longer period of time. They may also differ in how they are administered and managed.
Contraceptive approaches are commonly described in broad categories based on how they work. These include hormonal methods, such as the contraceptive pill; barrier methods, such as condoms; and longer-acting options, including contraceptive injections.
The choice and use of different types of contraception can vary depending on the clinical context and an individual’s circumstances.