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Long-acting contraceptive choices
Description
Typical failure rates
Advantages
Disadvantages
Approximate initial costs*
Intrauterine
Small plastic and copper
First year: 0.1 – 1%
Can stay in for ten years
1% chance of pelvic infection near time
To be advised
Device
device put into the uterus Long-term: Around
Women over 40 years can
of insertion
Stops sperm reaching the
10 to 30 per 1000
retain any copper IUD until
3 to 5% expelled by the uterus
egg, may also stop a
users at four years
menopause
Periods may be heavier/more painful –
fertilised egg implanting
No delay in return to
can be managed with anti-inflammatory
in the uterus
fertility if removed
medication (NSAIDs)
Periods become lighter,
Light irregular bleeding or spotting
About $350 - $400 per
5yrs plus insertion fee
Mirena IUS
Small plastic device that
First year: 0.20%
releases a small amount
Long-term: Less than shorter, and less painful
common 1st 6 months
Progestogen into the
10 out of 1000
One in five women have no
1% notice minor hormonal side effects
uterus
women over five
periods
1% chance of pelvic infection near time
years
Reduces need for
of insertion
investigation and surgical
3 to 5% expelled by the uterus
management of heavy
bleeding
Also shown to improve pain
associated with
endometriosis
Jaydess IUS
Similar to the Mirena IUS
Only licensed for contraception, not for
$275 per three years plus
Long-term: Less than Smaller so may give less
period control
insertion cost
a lower dose of
10 out of 1000
pain on insertion, but this
Although risk of pregnancy is low,
Progestogen
women over three
has not been formally
around half of pregnancies occurring
years
compared to other devices
with Jaydess are likely to be ectopic
but smaller and releases
First-year: 0.41%
Lasts for three years
Similar side effects to IUS, but less
likely for periods to stop
HealthInfo reference: Long-acting contraceptive choices

Issued: 27 June 2017

Page 1 of 3
Long-acting contraceptive choices
www.healthinfo.co.nz
Implants
Description
Typical failure rates
Advantages
Disadvantages
Approximate initial costs*
Small, flexible rod(s) that
First year: 0.10%
Lasts three to five years
Bleeding pattern will change with one in Jadelle fully subsidised
are put under the skin
Long-term: Around
depending on the device
five having no bleeding, one in five
plus insertion fee, lasts
and release small
10 out of 1000
used
having bleeding that causes distress
five years - two rods
amounts of Progestogen
women over three
No delay in return to
Small percentage notice minor
Implanon approx $300 -
Thickens cervical mucus
years (Jadelle), less
fertility
hormonal side effects
$400 plus insertion fee &
and/or stops ovaries
than one out of 1000
Requires small procedure to place and
lasts three years - one rod
releasing an egg
women over three
remove the implant
years (Implanon)
Depo Provera
Note:
An injection of
First year: 0.30%
Lasts for 12 weeks
Unwanted effects can include weight
Depo free plus Medical
progestogen that lasts 12 Long-term: Less than Chance of little or no
weeks
four out of 1000
bleeding increases with
gain and acne
centre visit every 12 weeks
Stops the ovaries
women over two
length of time used
to 12 months of use
releasing an egg
years
With continued use, around Can't be removed, must wait for it to
75% have no bleeding
Intermediate
Irregular bleeding may occur in first six
wear off if side effects occur
acting –
Can be delay in return to fertility of up
minimal user
to one year after stopping
failure rate
Small reversible reduction in bone
density may occur during use
Vasectomy
The tubes that carry
First year: 0.15%
Permanent
Cannot rely on vasectomy as
(male
sperm from the testicles
Long-term: One out
Short operation done under contraception for about two months
sterilisation)
to the penis are cut
of 2000 procedures
local anaesthetic
Not easily reversible
May be bruising or swelling for a short
time - avoid strenuous exercise for one
week
HealthInfo reference: Long-acting contraceptive choices

Issued: 27 June 2017

Page 2 of 3
$300 - $400
Long-acting contraceptive choices
www.healthinfo.co.nz
Description
Typical failure rates
Advantages
Disadvantages
Approximate initial costs*
Tubal
The fallopian tubes are
First year: 0.50%
Permanent
Requires a general anaesthetic
Free in public health
sterilisation
cut or blocked, which
Long term: 18 out of
All operations carry some risk but the
system if you meet
(female
stops the egg getting to
1000 procedures
risk of serious complications is low
specific criteria, otherwise
sterilisation)
the uterus
within 10 years of the
Need to use or continue alternative
expensive – several
Requires a general
procedure
contraception for one month
anaesthetic
If hormonal contraception is stopped
Usually an operation
periods may become heavier/more
through two small cuts in
painful
your abdomen
Reversal is difficult
(Laparoscopy)
Discomfort for a few days and may
need to take things easy for about one
week
*Please note that in some situations there are alternative ways of funding these methods. Your general practitioner will be aware of these.
Updated June 2017.
Long-actin g contrac ept ive c hoic es
HealthInfo reference: Long-acting contraceptive choices

Issued: 27 June 2017

Page 3 of 3
thousand dollars