Contraceptives

woman holding prevention pills and condoms from marie stopes emergency contracpetives for men & women

Contraceptives – Available Nation Wide

Marie Stopes South Africa offers a wide range of different types of contraceptives for men & women. Whether you’re interested in a monthly option like the pill (oral contraception) or patch; or a long acting method like an implant or IUD we can help find a contraceptive that suits your lifestyle

We offer:

Oral Contraceptives (the pill)
Contraceptive Injections
Contraceptive Patches
Contraceptive Implant
IUDs and IUSs “loop” contraceptives
Emergency Contraceptives
Vasectomy (selected centres only)

Choosing the Right Contraceptives

If you are starting to use contraception for the first time or looking into a new method, it’s a good idea to make time for a full consultation. Schedule time with one our friendly nurses who can give you a full run-down and explanation of each contraceptive method.

Remember: Only condoms offer dual protection: prevent pregnancy as well as the transmission of HIV and STIsMarie Stopes has 14 centres across South Africa, to make an appointment for a contraceptive consultation book online or call us on 0800 11 77 85. Choosing a contraceptive can be confusing. We’ve tried to provide some help in our Frequently Asked Questions section but if there’s something we missed ask us a question and we’ll get back to you.

Centres that offer Contraceptives

center-blue for emergency contraceptives

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Contraceptives and Family Planning FAQ

What method is the most effective?

All modern contraceptive methods are very effective, Marie Stopes South Africa’s contraceptive method chart shows the effectivness of each. Methods that involve placement by a healthcare provider such as an implant, an IUD or an IUS are most effective because they leave less room for human error (ie. forgetting to take a pill, going in late for your injection). Condoms, contraceptives for men, leave the greatest room for error. The two most common mistakes are not holding the tip when rolling the condom on which can lead to breakage, and failing to remove the condom while the penis is still erect, which can lead to spills. Which is why it’s always best to use condoms along with another method to prevent pregnancy and HIV and STIs.

I’ve heard contraceptive methods cause weight gain?

Hormonal methods can cause increased appetite which is easily regulated with diet and exercise. If weight gain is a central concern you may choose to opt for a method that slowly releases a low dose of hormones over time (like an implant) or one that doesn’t contain any hormones at all (like a cooper IUD or “loop”).

What is an IUD?

The IUD is a small plastic and copper device that is fitted into the uterus. It’s placed by a trained healthcare provider (either a nurse or a doctor) provides protection against pregnancy for 5 or 10 years, depending on the model. You can have it removed at any time.

What is the implant?

The implant is a small, matchstick- sized subdermal rod, meaning that it is fitted under the skin of the upper arm by a trained healthcare provider (usually a nurse). The implant slowly releases a low dose of hormone that provides protection against pregnancy for 3 or 5 years, depending on the model.

Are there some contraceptive methods that I can’t use?

Note that some methods have contraindications (reasons why they are not advisable for women with certain health concerns) so it is important to be open and honest about your full medical history. This includes what contraceptive methods you have used in the past and whether or not you are a smoker. Your healthcare provider will be able to give you advice on what method is suitable if you are affected by: Diabetes, Hypertension, Vaginal bleeding, Deep vein thrombosis, Allergies, HIV, Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs)

I had unprotected sex and I’m not using any contraception is there anything I can do?

You have the option of using emergency contraceptives (often called the morning after pill) to help prevent an unplanned pregnancy.

When can I use an emergency contraceptives?

Emergency contraception can be taken within 5 days of unprotected sex, but the earlier you take it the more effective it will be so visit a centre as soon as possible. Also consider testing if you’re worried about being exposed to HIV or STIs.

Can’t I just use the morning after pill every time I have sex?

While there is no limit to the number of times you can take emergency contraception (EC) we recommend you only use it in emergency situations. If you find yourself using it regularly find time for a contraceptive consultation to learn more about your short and long acting contraceptive options. EC also offers no protection against HIV and STIs

Please note that this is not a booking but a request for an appointment. We will confirm your date and time with you.

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Information and Booking Queries

Toll-free:0800 11 77 85

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Tel: +27 (0)21 681 1547

(Calling from outside South Africa)

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Name*
Email*
Telephone Code*
Contact number*
Nearest Centre?
Please choose the Marie Stopes Center nearest to you
Type Of Procedure*
Weeks Pregnant?*
Tell us how many weeks pregnant you think you are. If you are.
Preferred Date
If you would like to visit a Marie Stopes centre within the next 24 hours please call our call centre on 0800 11 77 85.
Preferred Time

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Quick Facts

Effectiveness

No method works 100% of the time. Think about how important it is for you to prevent pregnancy. Keep reading…

Most Effective

Sterilisation: If you know for sure that you don't want any more children this can be good. Implants: Last for 3 years. Just remember to replace after 3 years! IUD: Many people like it cause once it's in, it works for 5 years. You can ask for one without hormones if you want. (But remember condoms to protect against infection!)

Some Methods 1

For injectables to work, a woman must get a repeat injection ON TIME. Pills must be taken about the same time every day.

Some Methods 2

Male condoms and sterilisation depend on the man. He also has to cooperate to use the female condom. Nice thing about condoms: they protect against pregnancy AND infection. Safe!

Seriously Not Safe

Some people think that it's OK for the man to pull out of the vagina before he comes. NO! There can be sperm in the fluid that comes out before he comes – leading to pregnancy or infection.

Get Help

If you think you may be pregnant, DO A PREGNANCY TEST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE – you can get these tests from the pharmacy or your clinic or doctor. If you have an unwanted pregnancy, the sooner you know, the better you can be helped to choose what to do.

There are lots of government clinics that give free family planning. Look in the phone book or call a local clinic to find the closest one. Marie Stopes are South African government-approved reproductive health clinics.

More on Abortion

About TOP’s

It is legal for women of any age to have an abortion in South Africa. No parental or partner permission is needed. It is your body and your decision to end or keep the pregnancy … nobody can force you. It is very important to go to a registered, legal facility. There are many people who advertise abortion services, but many are not legal and having a ‘backstreet abortion’ could be dangerous to your health and life.

Know Your Rights

Any woman can ask for an abortion in the first three months (12 weeks) of pregnancy. If you are three to five months (13-20 weeks) pregnant, an abortion can be performed under certain circumstances. It is very important to act quickly, the earlier you seek help the better.

Where to go

You can visit your doctor who will refer you to an appropriate facility and a consultation fee will be charged. You can go to a private organisation such as Marie Stopes where there will be also be a charge. Some government facilities offer abortions for free, see link below for a list of local government facilities which offer the service.

Abortion Methods

Medical abortion: Tablets to end an early pregnancy can be taken up until the 9th week of pregnancy. You will be given pills to take at the clinic and to take at home. It will cause you to bleed like a period, but it might be heavier than your normal period.

Surgical abortion: The pregnancy is removed whilst you are at the facility, typically through vacuum aspiration.

Importance of Knowing

It is important to know how many weeks pregnant you are as this will affect the type of abortion method available to you. For instance:

Medical abortions (pills) are only available if you are less than 64 days (up to 9 weeks) pregnant
Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is a surgical abortion procedure that can be done up to 3 months (12 weeks) of pregnancy
For pregnancies over 3 months (12 weeks) medical or surgical procedures can be performed under certain circumstances.

Future Plans

If the abortion is done by a legal provider at a legal facility, problems after the procedure are rare. A trained counsellor will discuss your options and advise you on which family planning methods are suitable for you.