Skip to content

Search

Menu

 

 

Contraception and family planning <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​How does family planning work?</h2><p>‘Family planning’ or using contraception, allows you to make decisions about having children that feel right for you and your partner. </p><p> <b>Family planning gives you the power to:</b></p><ul><li>decide when to have children;</li><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Family-care-and-support/Pregnancy-and-family-planning/Teenage-pregnancy">not have children too young</a>;</li><li>decide how many children you want;</li><li>plan your pregnancy and space your pregnancy;</li><li>be in charge of your reproductive health (for example, if you have experienced pregnancy-related health issues);</li><li></li><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Pregnancy-and-family-planning/Terminations-and-abortions">avoid termination of pregnancy</a>; and</li><li>play a role in slowing population growth.</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p>You do not need the permission of your partner (or parents) to get contraception from your doctor, clinic or hospital.</p></div></div> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Condoms​​​​​​​</h2></span> <p>It is advisable to <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Sexual-health/Wear-a-condom">use a condom</a> to protect yourself. Condoms (male and female) are the only form of contraception that offer good protection against both unplanned pregnancy and STIs, and HIV​.</p><p> <strong>Condoms designed for the female body<br></strong>When used properly, female condoms offer some protection against pregnancy and <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Contagious-and-chronic-diseases/Get-wise-to-STIs">sexually transmitted infections (STIs)</a> like <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Sexual-health/HIV-and-AIDS">HIV​</a>.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p>If you are a woman and looking for even stronger protection against unplanned pregnancy, consider using another form of contraception such as an oral contraceptive pill, IUD, Implanon, injectable (the pill) as well as using condoms.</p></div></div><p>The newer female condoms are easier and quite comfortable to use – simply insert the condom as you would a tampon. Female condoms allow you to take responsibility for your sexual health, as you can insert the condom well before you have sex. Make sure you use a new condom each time you have sex. </p><p>Female condoms are available for free at local, provincial and national clinics and hospitals. <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">City clinics and healthcare facilities</a> offer a range of contraception options for free. Speak to your health care practitioner about the right contraception for you. </p><p> <strong>Condoms designed for the male body <br></strong>When used properly, condoms offer some protection against pregnancy and <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Contagious-and-chronic-diseases/Get-wise-to-STIs">sexually transmitted infections (STIs), </a><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Sexual-health/HIV-and-AIDS">HIV</a> and herpes. See the package for instructions on how to use the condom. </p><p> <strong>Here are some basic tips about using condoms designed for the male body:</strong></p><ul><li>Condoms are not 100% safe, but they can help decrease your risks of falling pregnant or being infected with STIs.</li><li>If you are going to use a lubricant, make sure it is water-based, oil-based lubricants (e.g. baby oil, Vaseline, hand cream) can cause the condom to break.</li><li>Condoms should be stored in a dry, cool place – never in your wallet or any other small, warm space.</li><li>Some glow in the dark, coloured or flavoured condoms do not offer as much protection against pregnancy or STIs - read the label to be sure and always check that the condom is <a href="https://www.sabs.co.za/" target="_blank">SABS<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> approved.</li><li>Put on a new condom before having sex again.</li><li>Use condoms with oral and anal sex to protect yourself against <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Community-health-and-safety/Contagious-and-chronic-diseases/Get-wise-to-stis">STIs</a>.</li><li>Condoms may mean some decreased sensitivity for guys but that doesn’t mean that there is no sensation at all - condoms can actually help men who have problems with early (premature) ejaculation.</li><li>Condoms are generally one size fits all - few men are too large or too small for the average condom.</li><li>Condoms can be bought almost anywhere, but they are also available for free at <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">City Health clinics</a>, provincial and national clinics and hospitals</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Other forms of contraception</h2><p>For more information on contraception and which type may be suitable for you, the Western Cape Government has a wealth of information on hand. Please see its <a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/site-page/family-planning" target="_blank">contraception and family planning section<i class="icon link-external"></i>​</a>. </p><p> <strong>Our table below outlines some of the most common types of contraception, aside from condoms.</strong> </p><div class="mobile-scroll"><table> <caption><b>Types of contraception (birth control)</b></caption> <tbody><tr><td> <strong>Oral pills for women</strong></td><td>Commonly known as ‘the pill’ and taken daily. Does not prevent STIs.</td></tr><tr><td> <strong>Injection for women</strong></td><td>Given every eight weeks or every 12 weeks (depending on type) by a health care professional. Does not prevent STIs.</td></tr><tr><td> <strong>Intra uterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) – also know as ‘the loop’ for women</strong></td><td>A small device that is put into a women's uterus (womb) by a trained health worker. An IUD can prevent pregnancy for at least TEN years. Does not prevent STIs. </td></tr><tr><td> <strong>Hormone implant for women​</strong></td><td>​This is inserted into the arm and can prevent pregnancy for up to three years. Does not prevent STIs. </td></tr><tr><td> <strong>Sterilisation for men and women​</strong></td><td>This surgical procedure – known as a vasectomy (for men) or hysterectomy (for women) – is a permanent contraceptive method. Does not prevent STIs.​</td></tr></tbody></table></div>​​​​ <p> <i>Sources: <a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health" target="_blank">Western Cape Government Department of Health<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>, <a href="https://www.who.int/" target="_blank">World Health Organization (WHO)<i class="icon link-external"></i></a></i></p><p>Find a <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">clinic or healthcare facility </a>near you that offers family planning services.</p>GP0|#b4f26ed5-5ce9-459e-af8b-b31f2aa1cfde;L0|#0b4f26ed5-5ce9-459e-af8b-b31f2aa1cfde|Contraception and family planning;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#8c1a435d-1a59-4906-9aa9-46d5f5bb3d48;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#054616d9-591b-4d8d-882b-cdbb31150d5d;L0|#0054616d9-591b-4d8d-882b-cdbb31150d5d|Contraception and family planning;GPP|#f15ff79b-8e99-4fb7-a759-dfcb94d874e2;GPP|#063a6668-d6cb-4c45-adaf-f559697b85fdUnderstand how you can safely prevent, plan and prepare for pregnancies.0

 

 

 

 

You have disabled JavaScript on your browser.
Please enable it in order to use City online applications.