Contraception

Whether you’re at a stage in your life where you don’t want to fall pregnant or need to regulate your hormones to assist with another gynaecological issue such as abnormal periods or endometriosis, it is important to consider what contraception method is right for you.

Dr Ljiljana understands how personal and individualised this decision is and therefore has tried to make it easier for you by discussing each of the methods she offers below:

Permanent contraception:

Tubal Ligation – “Having your tubes tied”:
This method involves having a clip placed on each tube under general anaesthetic using a laparoscopic procedure. You can also choose to have your tubes cauterised or cut and stitched closed. Tubal ligation is reversible; however, we do not recommend it as it is not always successful.

Effectiveness:
Tubal ligation is more than 99% effective, with a very small chance of the tubes getting unblocked which could mean pregnancy and an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy -where the egg implants into the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus.

Risks:
There are small risks of injury to the blood vessels, ureters or bowel. Other risks include a rare chance of infection, inflammation and pain caused by the clip used in the procedure.

Long term contraception:

Mirena®:
The Mirena® is a small, T-shaped hormone-releasing devise that is placed inside your uterus by Dr Ljiljana. This form of contraception is also used to treat excessive menstrual bleeding or protect against endometrial hyperplasia. The intra-uterine device (IUD) continually releases small amounts of the hormone progestogen for up to five years. Pregnancy is prevented by the hormone thickening the cervical lining and preventing fertilisation and implantation. Once the Mirena® has been removed, fertility returns very quickly.

Effectiveness:
Mirena® is considered one of the most effective birth control methods with over 99% effectiveness. And it doesn’t rely on you.

Risks:
A rare chance that the device is unexpectedly expelled from your uterus.

Temporary contraception:

Oral Contraceptive Pill:
If you are struggling to find the right oral contraceptive pill, Dr Ljiljana can help you find the best one for your individual situation.

The combined contraceptive pill contains synthetic versions of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone which women produce naturally in their ovaries. The pill can also be used to treat painful periods, heavy periods, premenstrual syndrome and endometriosis.

When taking the oral contraceptive, the two hormones prevent the egg from releasing, change the lining of the uterus and prevent sperm entering by thickening the lining of the entrance of the cervix.

The mini pill is a progestin-only birth control pill, which works similarly to the combination pill and is usually a good alternative for breastfeeding women or women who can’t take oestrogen. You will need to be very disciplined with the mini pill as it must to be taken at the same time each day.

Effectiveness:
If you are disciplined and take the pill correctly, it is 99.7% effective, but may be reduced if taken more than 12 hours late or in combination with antibiotics.

Risks:
There is a small risk of clotting, heart attack or stroke. Smokers over the age of 35 should not use the pill as there is an increased risk of heart attack and blood clots in their legs and lungs.

If you would like to find out more about any of these methods of contraception, please feel free to give Dr Ljiljana a call or discuss at your next visit.