The most commonly used contraceptives in the Netherlands in short
The pill
Injections - These are contraceptive injections.
- This means that a woman gets a jab in her bottom or in her thigh once every three months.
- These injections protect against pregnancy just as well as the pill.
- But they do not protect you against STIs.
- The advantage of injections is that you don't have to remember to take a pill every day.
The intra-uterine device (IUD) or coil - The coil is a small anchor made of plastic with copper wire round it.
- The coil stops a fertilized egg from nestling in the womb and so it cannot grow.
- A coil is placed in a woman's uterus by her doctor and can stay there for five years.
- It is reliable as soon as it has been inserted.
- Disadvantages of the coil are the fact that blood loss during menstruation may increase.
- There is also a greater chance of inflammations or infections, particularly for women with different sexual contacts.
- Even if you have a coil, you still need to use a condom to avoid getting an STI.
The diaphragm - The diaphragm is made of thin rubber.
- It closes off the entrance to the uterus, so that no sperm cells can enter.
- The diaphragm must be inserted before having sexual intercourse.
- Before inserting it, you need to cover it with a layer of spermicidal cream on both sides.
- It has to stay in place for eight hours after sex.
- The diaphragm is reasonably reliable if you use it in combination with spermicidal paste and if it is the right size.
- A doctor needs to fit the diaphragm each year. The diaphragm does not protect against STIs.
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