Family planning
Contraception prevents women from getting pregnant.
You and your partner can decide whether you want to have children, when you want to have them and how many children you want to have. This is called family planning. When you want to have sexual intercourse, but do not plan to have a child (yet), you can avoid pregnancy with contraception.
Contraception does not make a woman less fertile. When she stops using contraception, she can have children.
Protection against HIV and STIs
The condom is a method of contraception that also protects you against HIV and reduces the risk of getting an STI.
Different methods of contraception
There are different methods of contraception. You can choose which method is best for you and your partner. Methods vary a lot, for example in:
- their price;
- their availability;
- the way they are used.
Contraception is not bad for one's health. Some methods of contraception suit a particular person’s lifestyle, age and physical condition better than others.
Contraception works well if you use it correctly. For this reason, it is important to choose a method that suits you. If a method does not work for you, you can try another method of contraception.
Ask a health professional for advice. A health professional cannot pass on any information about you to anybody else. He/she is obliged by law to respect your privacy. You can also talk about contraception with your partner.
Buying contraception
You can buy male condoms and female condoms without a prescription at a pharmacy, chemist or supermarket. You can also buy condoms on the Internet, e.g. https://www.condoomsenzo.nl/.
In the Netherlands, you can also buy emergency contraception (morning after pill) without a prescription at a pharmacy or chemist. You can buy most other contraception at a pharmacy, with a prescription from a general practitioner.
