Learner Resource 4 - Contraception

Method / How it works / Failure rate
(pregnancies per 100 women per year) / Advantages and disadvantages
Withdrawal (coitus interruptus)
Rhythm method
Condom
Diaphragm (with spermicidal gel)

Version 1 5 © OCR 2016

Fertility and assisted reproduction delivery guide

Combined pill
Progesterone only pill
IUD (coil)
IUD coil with progesterone (Mirena coil)
Contraceptive injection
Contraceptive implant
Male sterilisation (vasectomy)
Female sterilisation

Students are told they are going to be giving sexual health advice.

Divide the class into small groups and give each group a piece of A3 paper and felt pens. Give each group one of the following case studies. Ask the group to decide on a minimum of 2 forms of contraception that would be suitable for the case study they have been given. One form of contraception should be hormonal and one, non-hormonal.

The students should then make a poster to explain why they have chosen these forms of contraception and explain briefly how each prevents pregnancy. To finish, each group needs to present their case study and advice to the class.

Case studies:-

Jane has completed her childbearing and is looking for a long term and fool proof method of birth control.
Joanne is 15 years old and has been going out with a boy for 3 weeks. He is putting her under pressure to have sex and her friends keep asking her ‘if they’ve done it yet?’
Jodie is in a long-term relationship and needs a reliable method of birth control. She was taking the pill for a while but had trouble remembering to take a pill every day.
Kylie has just started at university and is in a new relationship. She does not want to run the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.
Sarah has been going out with her boyfriend for 2 months. He has been faithful to her but she knows he has slept with several girls in the recent past. He has told her he does not like the feel of condoms.
Mary is married and she has 2 children, ages 2 and 4. She may want another baby in the future.
Sally and Steve have been together for 6 months. She has recently had a scare – a condom split, and went to a sexual health clinic for emergency contraception. She wants to consider other contraceptive methods.

Version 1 5 © OCR 2016

Fertility and assisted reproduction delivery guide