Slideshow: Birth control

A condom is a form of contraception that men can use. Other forms of contraception are made for women’s bodies. The picture shows condoms inside their plastic wrappers. 

Birth control pills are pills tablets that you can take everyday or for 21 or 24 days. Then you take a break for four or seven days. This is when you have your menstrual period. After that, you begin a new pack of pills. 

You need to see a midwife or doctor to get birth control pills. You can also go to a Youth Guidance Centre (ungdomsmottagning) or a maternity clinic (barnmorskemottagning).

A birth control implant is a plastic rod that is as small as a matchstick. It is inserted under the skin of your upper arm. A midwife or doctor will insert it. However first, you are given an anaesthetic in your arm.

A birth control implant cannot be seen. It can stay in place for up to three years. 

Emergency contraception pills are tablets that you take after having unprotected sexual intercourse, for example if you forgot to use protection. This reduces the risk of you becoming pregnant. The tablets must be taken as soon as possible after having unprotected sexual intercourse. Some tablets are to be taken within three days and other are to be taken within five days. The earlier you take the emergency contraception pill, the lower the risk of you becoming pregnant.

Minipills are like birth control pills. You take the pills by mouth every day without a break. You need to see a midwife or doctor to get minipills. 

A hormonal IUD is a few centimetres long and is made of plastic. The stem contains hormones. The IUD is inserted into the uterus by a midwife or doctor. The hormonal IUD can be left in place for three to five years.  

A copper IUD is made of plastic. The stem is wrapped in thin copper wire. The IUD influences the uterus and prevents the egg from being fertilized. It is inserted into the uterus by a midwife or doctor. The IUD can be left in place for five years. 

A birth control vaginal ring is made of soft plastic and is about five centimetres in diameter. You need to see a midwife or doctor to get a vaginal ring. You insert the ring into your vagina yourself.

The vaginal ring is left in place for three weeks. You cannot feel that it’s there. Then you remove it. This is when you have your menstrual period. After one week, you insert a new vaginal ring.

A femidom, or female condom, is made of plastic. You insert it into your vagina when you are going to have sexual intercourse. There is a plastic ring at each end that holds it in place.  

Sperm is then trapped in the femidom when you have sex. It must be in place the entire time you are having sexual intercourse

Femidoms can be bought on the Internet. 

You attach a birth control patch to your skin.

You need to see a midwife or doctor to get a birth control patch. You can attach the patch to your skin yourself. The patch is left in place for one week, then you change to a new one. After three weeks, you take a break with no patch for one week. This is when you have your menstrual period.