Contraceptive advice for students

This article was provided by Lloyds Pharmacy, who provide a wide range of contraceptive options including the emergency morning after pill, condoms and prescription based methods.

Starting your first year at university is a pretty big deal. It marks a crucial phase of independence, and is the beginning of your life as an adult. University life involves exciting new social factors at play; making new friends, having new experiences and building social circles.

For some this involves being sexually active as new, independent relationships form. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying you sex life, it is important that you stay safe and take time to consider your contraceptive options, most of which are available free in the UK.

One of those is the birth control pill - simply known as "the Pill". This is an oral contraceptive which uses a dose of hormones to inhibit a woman’s fertility, and can be prescribed to women by a GP or sexual health practitioner.

There are many different types of pill available, each with different strengths of hormones, and different women will find different brands work best for them.

The Pill does require commitment and organisation, as it needs to be taken every day, at the same time, in order to be at its most effective. It is one of the most common forms of contraception, but remember there is no protection from infections with the use of the birth control pill.

The pill is not to be confused with the emergency contraceptive pill, or “morning after pill”, which is available at most pharmacies. This option is for situations where unprotected sex has occurred, whether through a momentary lapse in judgement, or through a condom breaking.

The emergency contraception pill contains a much higher dose of hormones to quickly prevent pregnancy from occurring, and is taken within 72 hours after intercourse. While it offers a safety net in emergencies, this is a strong medication and should only be used as a last resort. Regular use can cause large hormone imbalances within the body causing bad side-effects.

There are other options available, such as diaphragms and caps, which are a cup-shaped dome that is inserted into the vagina to prevent sperm reaching the cervix.

There is also a contraceptive patch, which works in the same way as the birth control pill. Delivering hormones into the body which prevent pregnancy; but the patch does this through the skin. This would be an option for those who struggle to swallow the other forms of medication available.

Of course, condoms are one of the most widely-used forms of contraception, and can be bought over the counter in any pharmacy or supermarket. Sexual health clinics will also often provide these for free.

The accessibility of condoms means there's really no excuse not to opt for these, and it’s best to use one regardless of whatever other contraceptive methods you put in place.

Because while all these options can offer some protection against unwanted pregnancy, neither of these pills, nor other forms of contraception, offer any guard against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which is definitely something else to keep in mind.

Speaking to your GP or sexual health practitioner who will be able to give more details about the options available is defiantly recommended. They will be able to advise you to the best form of contraception for your current situation.

After all, if you’re making adult choices in your university years, such as having sex, then be sure you’re making mature decisions, and are always using protection.