Contraception

Protection against unwanted pregnancy

If pregnancy is not in your plans, we recommend choosing one of the available methods of contraception. Our doctors continuously develop their expertise and stay up to date with all the latest trends in contraception, and are happy to walk you through all the options available.

Based on your preferences and health history, we will help you find the contraceptive method that suits you best.

Effective contraception frees sexual life from the risk of unwanted pregnancy and significantly reduces the number of terminations. Between 1990 and 2010, the number of terminations of pregnancy in the Czech Republic fell by 78%, while the proportion of women using prescription contraception rose from 17% to 43%.

Most common types of contraception

Contraceptive pill

Probably the best-known form of hormonal contraception. There is a wide range of pills available from various manufacturers and brands. They contain a combination of the hormones oestrogen and progestin, designed to prevent ovulation and stop the ovaries from releasing an egg. They are typically taken in 28-day cycles: one tablet daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break during which menstruation occurs. The pills available today contain significantly lower hormone levels than ever before.

• Hormonal contraception is suitable for almost all women. It is not recommended in certain specific cases, particularly for women with thrombophilic mutations, which are inherited conditions associated with increased blood clotting.

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Contraceptive patch

Applied by sticking it to the skin, most commonly under the arm, on the lower abdomen or on the buttocks. Like the contraceptive pill, the patch contains a combination of oestrogen and progestin, which in this case are absorbed into the body through the skin.

• The advantage of the patch is that it only needs to be changed once a week. The disadvantage is that hormone absorption may be reduced in women who are overweight. We do not recommend the patch for clients with higher body weight.

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Vaginal ring

A soft plastic ring inserted into the vagina once a month. It contains hormones that prevent conception. Once in place, it remains in the vagina for three weeks and is then removed to allow menstruation.

• The contraindications for use of the vaginal ring are similar to those of other hormonal contraception.

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Hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)

A method of long-term contraception. It is a small T-shaped plastic device inserted into the uterus. It contains a small amount of the hormone progestin, which prevents sperm from passing through the cervix into the uterus to fertilise an egg.

Insertion of a hormonal IUD is a simple outpatient procedure performed by your gynaecologist, who will also discuss any temporary changes that may occur in your body following insertion. A hormonal IUD provides protection for a minimum of three years.

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Non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)

A small plastic device fitted with a copper (and sometimes gold, silver or silver-zinc) wire, inserted into the uterus in a simple outpatient procedure without anaesthesia. The device acts as a foreign body in the uterus, stimulating increased production of white blood cells that attack sperm. The metal component also releases a small amount of metal ions that have a toxic effect on sperm. A non-hormonal IUD is typically inserted for 5 years, after which we recommend replacing it.

• Although we primarily recommend non-hormonal IUDs for women who have already had children and do not wish to have more, they can also be used by women who still plan to conceive. 
• In healthy women of reproductive age, normal fertility returns as soon as the device is removed.