Contraception methods at a glance

የወሊድ መቆጣጠሪያ ዘዴዎች በአጭሩ
በኢትዮጵያ ስለሚገኙ የወሊድ መቆጣጠሪያ ዘዴዎች, እንዴት እርግዝናን እንደሚከላከሉ, እና ኮንዶም ከበሽታዎችም እንደሚከላከል የሚያሳይ አጭር መረጃ.

What contraception is

A way to prevent pregnancy. Several kinds are available in Ethiopia. You can start, stop, or switch with a provider's help.

Short-acting methods (used regularly)

• Pills: one tablet a day. Combined pills have two hormones. Progestogen-only pills have one and suit breastfeeding. Combined pills are usually avoided in the early weeks after birth.
• Injectable: a shot at a health facility, most often DMPA, repeated every three months. Safe while breastfeeding. Periods may change, and fertility can take a few months to return after you stop.

Long-acting methods (placed once, last years)

• Implant: a small rod under the skin of the arm, protects for three to five years. Safe while breastfeeding.
• IUD: a small device in the womb. Copper IUD lasts up to about ten to twelve years. Hormonal IUD lasts around five years and often makes periods lighter. Both safe while breastfeeding.
• Both can be removed whenever you choose, and fertility returns soon after.

Condoms

• Worn during sex. Male and female types.
• The only method that also lowers the risk of STIs and HIV, though it doesn't remove the risk completely.
• A fresh one for each act of sex. No appointment needed. Can be combined with another method.

Emergency contraception

• A backup after unprotected sex or a condom failure.
• Pills work up to five days after, and sooner is better.
• The copper IUD, placed within five days, is the most reliable option and can stay in as an ongoing method.
• Not for regular use.

How well they prevent pregnancy (in general terms)

• Long-acting methods (implant, IUD) are among the most reliable because they don't depend on daily action.
• Injectables are very reliable when the next dose is on time.
• Pills are reliable when taken as directed, and depend on routine.
• Condoms work well when used correctly every time, and add STI protection.

Choosing a method

Depends on your health, routine, and whether you also want STI protection. A doctor can help you match one to your life.

Talk to a doctor if

You want to start, switch, or stop a method, or you have side effects or questions.

Our doctors can help you match one to your life, free and in private, usually within a few hours. WhatsApp https://wa.me/251908182838, Telegram https://t.me/LetenaEthBot, or https://letena.letena.et/ask/.