Hey Ben,
Thanks for reaching out. That’s a pretty long relationship! I want to say good job on doing that, not a lot of people reach over a year. I will answer your questions to the best of my ability.
Common Contraception Methods:
| Contraception | Explain how used | Advantages | Disadvantages | How to obtain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Condom | Thin cover goes over penis to catch semen | Protects from STIs Easy to get Cheap |
Bad if allergic to latex Not 100% effective |
Over the counter at pharmacies, supermarkets, and even gas stations |
| Implant | Device in upper arm releases hormones to stop ovulation for years | Long acting Highly effective No daily/monthly maintenance |
Needs doctor to insert and remove | Requires a consultation and insertion by doctor |
| Contraception Injection | Prevents ovulation | Long lasting No daily maintenance |
Regular visits to clinic Hormonal side effects |
Requires a prescription and administration by a doctor or sexual health clinic |
4. Other than a doctor, who else could I contact to get information about the type of contraceptive that’s right for Bella and myself?
There are multiple sexual health clinics in Victoria that you can call and ask on the phone any other questions about contraceptive methods.
5. Could you list one precaution we would need to take if one of the methods failed to work, or if we didn’t use it correctly?
I would recommend using both the condom and implant so if one doesn't work properly, the other should help avoid an accidental pregnancy.
Regards,
Dr. McGeachin.