How to choose a contraceptive method
There is no single best contraceptive, only the one that fits your body, your health and the way you actually live. Some women want something they never have to think about between clinic visits. Others are happy to take a pill at the same time each day. The right choice usually comes down to a few practical questions, and a quick chat with a doctor to check that your method is safe for you.
This page walks through the things worth weighing up, compares the three methods you can start online (the pill, the patch and the injection), and explains when it makes sense to see a clinic in person instead.
What to think about before you decide
How it fits your routine
Be honest with yourself here. A daily pill works brilliantly if you have a steady routine and can take it around the same time each day. If your days are unpredictable or you know you will forget, a weekly patch or an injection every couple of months may suit you far better. The most effective method is the one you will use correctly and consistently.
How well it prevents pregnancy
All three methods are very effective when used correctly. The gap between them shows up in typical, real-life use, where the pill leaves the most room for human error (a missed or late dose) and the injection leaves the least, because there is nothing to remember day to day.
Hormonal or non-hormonal
The pill, patch and injection are all hormonal. They mainly work by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus so sperm cannot get through. If you would rather avoid hormones altogether, the options are non-hormonal, such as the copper IUD or condoms, and a copper IUD needs an in-person fitting at a clinic.
Health conditions that matter
This is the part a doctor really needs to check. A few things affect which methods are safe for you:
- Migraine with aura (the visual disturbances or warning signs before a headache)
- High blood pressure
- Smoking if you are over 35
- A personal or family history of blood clots
These mostly affect the methods that contain oestrogen, like the combined pill and the patch. If any apply to you, an oestrogen-free option such as the progestogen-only mini pill or the injection is often the safer route. That is exactly the kind of thing our medical team looks at before prescribing.
Daily, weekly or longer
Think about how often you actually want to deal with contraception. Daily suits a pill, weekly suits a patch, and every two to three months suits the injection. Longer-acting methods like the IUD and implant last for years, but they need to be fitted by a nurse or doctor in person.
Your fertility plans
If you might want to fall pregnant reasonably soon, the pill and patch are easy to stop, and fertility usually returns quickly once you do. With the injection, it can take a bit longer for your normal cycle and fertility to come back after your last dose, so it is worth mentioning to your doctor if starting a family in the near future is on your mind.
The pill, patch and injection compared
Here is a quick side-by-side of the three methods you can start through an online consultation.
| Method | How often | Effectiveness | Good for | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The pill | One tablet daily | Very high with perfect use, lower if doses are missed or late | Women with a steady daily routine who want easy control and quick return to fertility | Combined pill contains oestrogen; a progestogen-only mini pill is an oestrogen-free alternative. Takes about 7 days to become effective. |
| The patch | One patch a week (changed weekly) | Very high with correct use | Women who would rather not take something daily but are happy with a weekly step | Contains oestrogen, so the same health factors as the combined pill apply. Takes about 7 days to become effective. |
| The injection | Every 2 to 3 months | Very high; little day-to-day error | Women who want to forget about it between visits, or who need an oestrogen-free option | Can work within 24 hours if given in the first 5 days of your period. Fertility may take longer to return after stopping. |
None of these protect against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are the only method that also guards against STIs, so if that is a concern, use condoms alongside your chosen contraceptive.
When to see a doctor or clinic
A doctor assessment matters because your medical history genuinely changes which methods are safe. You should speak to a doctor or visit a clinic if you have any of the health conditions listed above, if you are unsure what suits you, or if you want to switch from one method to another.
If you have settled on the pill, patch or injection, you can do the whole thing online. An online contraception consultation with an HPCSA-registered doctor covers your history, checks that your chosen method is appropriate, and arranges a prescription through a SAPC-registered pharmacy partner. It is private, convenient and does not need an in-person visit.
For an IUD or implant, you will need to see a clinic in person, because those have to be fitted. Public clinics in South Africa offer contraception free of charge, and minors can access it confidentially, so cost or privacy should never be a barrier to getting protected.
Start a contraception consultation
Still weighing it up? Read more about the pill, the patch and the injection, or browse our frequently asked questions.
This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Which contraceptive is right for you depends on your own health, so always confirm your choice with an HPCSA-registered doctor or a clinic.