Contraception

Hey! While talking about bodies on this page, we use medical terms like ‘penis’, ‘vagina/front hole’, ‘sperm’, and ‘egg’ to describe our bits. This is just so you know what we're talking about, as our communities often use similar words for quite different body parts - particularly our genitals.

When talking about yourself, or being referred to by others, we encourage you to use and request the language you feel most comfortable with instead! For more information about affirming language for our bodies and bits, click here.

Some of the ways trans people have sex can result in a pregnancy. Sometimes pregnancy is a wanted and an intended outcome of sex, which you can find more out about on our page on pregnancy, but other times pregnancy is the last thing a person wants.

Contraception is the processes used to prevent pregnancy during sex. There are a range of options that can depend upon your body, wants and needs, existing or future hormonal affirmation, and more.

The information on this page is available as a downloadable brochure. Click on the image of the brochure to the right to download.

Forms of contraception

Which form of contraception is right for you and your sexual partners will depend on what you are comfortable with, any preexisting health issues, and the types of sex you are having. You can talk to a trusted health professional and work out together which option will be the best for you.

Barrier Methods

Barrier methods use a physical barrier to stop sperm from getting to the egg. This might be an external or internal condom, a diaphragm, or another form of barrier.

Condoms are also the only form of contraception that can help prevent transmission of STIs.

IUDs

There are two kinds of IUD (intra-uterine device).

Both are small devices shaped like a ‘T’, with a small string attached to the bottom.

Copper IUDs are made from plastic and copper, which prevent sperm from reaching the egg, and the egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus. They need to be replaced every 5-10 years, and can sometimes cause heavier periods.

Hormonal IUDs (eg. Mirena) are made from plastic and contain a small dose of the hormone progesterone, which prevents the egg from releasing from the ovary (ovulation). They need to be replaced every 5 or so years, and can sometimes cause lighter periods, or stop menstruation altogether.

Contraceptive pills

There are two main kinds of contraceptive pill: progesterone only contraceptive pills, and combined oral contraceptive pills.

They work by releasing low doses of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and must be taken as prescribed to be effective.

Contraceptive implants

Implants are a small rod inserted under the skin, usually on the upper arm, which releases a small dose of the hormone progesterone, which prevents the egg from releasing from the ovary (ovulation). They need to be replaced every 3 or so years, but can be removed earlier if wanted.

Contraceptive injections

Contraceptive injections are an injection into the butt or upper arm every 12 weeks. It contains a small dose of the synthetic hormone medroxyprogesterone, which is similar to progesterone, and prevents the egg from releasing from the ovary (ovulation). Injections are required every 12-14 weeks to remain effective, and fertility can take a little while to return after stopping.

Hormones as contraception

Testosterone alone is not an effective form of contraception for people with a uterus, and estrogen and/or progesterone alone are not an effective form of contraception for people with penises, even after long term use.

If you are having sex in a way that could result in someone becoming pregnant when they don’t want to be, it’s important to use a method of contraception in addition to hormones.

Emergency contraception

If you have had unprotected sex in a way that could result in your becoming pregnant, you can access emergency contraception. It is sometimes also known as the ‘morning after pill’. Emergency contraception works by preventing or delaying an egg releasing from the ovaries, and is safe to take if you are already pregnant.

There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill.

  • Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pill, which should be taken within 3 days

  • Ulipristal Acetate emergency contraceptive pill, which should be taken within 5 days

Emergency contraceptive pills works better the sooner you take it, and are available at pharmacies without needing a prescription.

It is also possible to have a copper IUD inserted within 5 days of the unprotected sex.