Contraception

Contraception is used to prevent unintended pregnancy (also called unplanned pregnancy).

There are many forms of contraception, but no method is ever 100% effective. Not all contraceptive methods work the same way and most have benefits and some downsides. It may take some time to find the right type of contraception that best suits you. Talking to your partner(s) or a health professional may help you decide what method you prefer.

Check out the many different options available.

It is important to practice safe sex even if you are using contraception. This means having sex only when there is consent and using contraception with condoms. Using a condom with another type of contraception is the best way to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

The Emergency Contraceptive Pill

The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is taken after unprotected sex to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
Some examples of when a person may choose to use the

ECP can prevent up to about 85% of unplanned pregnancies.

ECP include:
• You have sex without using contraception
• The condom breaks
• You forget to take the contraceptive pill
• You are a victim of sexual assault

There are two types of ECP:
• One type is effective for us to four days after unprotected sex
• The other type is effective for up to 5 days after unprotected sex

The sooner a person takes ECP the more effective it will be.

Both types of ECP can be bought at a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. They are also available from Family Planning NSW clinics.

Condom

The external (male) condom is a thin latex rubber or polyisoprene (non-latex) covering which is rolled onto an erect (hard) penis before sex.

How does it work?

Worn on the penis during sex, the external (male) condom provides a barrier which collects semen (fluid that contains sperm) and stops the transfer of fluids to a partner. Condoms can also be used on sex toys if they are being shared between people. If sharing a sex toy, put a new condom on it before another person uses it. This will reduce the risk of sexually transmissible infection (STI) transmission.

How well does it work?

Condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used perfectly, but in real life they can be less effective (82%) because condoms can break and are not always used correctly.

Condoms are the best protection against STIs but are less effective at preventing pregnancy than some other types of contraception. Using a condom with another type of contraception is the best way to prevent both unintended pregnancy and STIs.

Condoms work best when used for every act of sex as long as you:
• use a new one every time
• take care to put it on and take it off correctly

Condom facts

• Condoms are the only form of contraception which also reduce the risk of STIs
• They can be used at the same time as another effective type of contraception such as the implant or the Pill
• Never use two condoms at once! Whether two external (male) condoms at once or an external (male) condom with an internal (female) condom, using them together can cause the condoms to break or tear
• Use a new condom each time you have sex
• Only use water-based lube with condoms. Oil-based lube can cause latex condoms to break

If you would like to learn more about condoms, including the internal condom:

LGBTIQA+ proud supporter

The Freedom Condom project proudly welcomes and supports LGBTIQ diversity and inclusion. Family Planning NSW is a member of the Welcome Here Project.

Sorry, there is no collect point in your area.

You can still order free condoms online by

The correct answer is:

No, never use an expired condom

An expired condom is less effective as it may break

The correct answer is:

Both A & B are correct

A doctor or nurse may ask you questions about your sexual history and test for STI’s through a urine, swab or blood test. 

The correct answer is:

All the above

STIs can be passed from one person to another during sexual activities that involve direct skin-to-skin contact and/or the exchange of bodily fluids.

The correct answer is:

Using a condom during vaginal, anal or oral sex, and when sharing sex toys

Condoms are the best way of preventing most STIs. Each condom can only be used once, and a person should use a new condom when changing between vaginal, anal and oral sex.

The correct answer is:

They get an STI test at Family Planning NSW, sexual health clinic or GP

The only way of finding out if you have an STI is by having a sexual health check-up. A sexual health check-up may include: 

• a doctor or nurse asking you about your sexual history 
• a urine test, swab test or blood test

• talking about other things such as healthy relationships, contraception and preventing STIs

The correct answer is:

Any of the above

A sexual health check is a check-up by a doctor or nurse for sexual health problems like sexually transmissible infections (STIs). A sexual health check-up may include:

• a doctor or nurse asking you about your sexual history
• a urine test, swab test or blood test

• talking about other things such as healthy relationships, contraception and preventing STIs

The correct answer is:

Water-based lubricant

Water-based lubricant help stop the condom from breaking

The correct answer is:

No, the condom is more likely to split

Never use two condoms at the same time. Using two condoms at one time can make the condoms break.

The correct answer is:

False

Buy the Emergency Contraceptive Pill without a prescription at your local pharmacy.

The correct answer is:

Throw it away and start again with a new condom

Worn on the penis during vaginal, anal or oral sex, the condom provides a barrier which catches semen and stops the transfer of bodily fluids between partners.

Don’t get caught!
Quick hide out made easy

The correct answer is:

All the above

Consent is when one person agrees or gives permission to another person to do something. It means agreeing to an action based on what you know of the situation and what that action involves, its possible consequences and having the option of saying no.

Hi there

The Freedom Condom project provides free condoms and relevant and accurate information about sexual health. The information provided will be about consent, condom use, contraception and sexual health checks. These topics can be uncomfortable for some people.

The Freedom Condom project is not intended to provide medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, see your doctor or call Family Planning NSW Talkline on 1300 658 886 or email talkline@fpnsw.org.au

The correct answer is:

True for all ages

In NSW, the age of consent is 16 for all people. There are times when a person cannot legally give their consent no matter what age they are. This is when they are:
  • drunk
  • taking drugs
  • asleep or unconscious
  • unsure or unaware of what they are consenting to
  • threatened, pressured or scared

The correct answer is:

Condoms

Condoms are the only form of contraception that also protect against STIs.

The correct answer is:

Up to 5 days

Although the ECP can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex, the earlier an ECP is taken after unprotected vaginal sex the better it works.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

Up to 5 days

Although the ECP can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex, the earlier an ECP is taken after unprotected vaginal sex the better it works.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

Any of the above

A sexual health check is a check-up by a doctor or nurse for sexual health problems like sexually transmissible infections (STIs). A sexual health check-up may include:

• a doctor or nurse asking you about your sexual history
• a urine test, swab test or blood test

• talking about other things such as healthy relationships, contraception and preventing STIs

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

False

Buy the Emergency Contraceptive Pill without a prescription at your local pharmacy.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

Condoms

Condoms are the only form of contraception that also protect against STIs.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

All the above

STIs can be passed from one person to another during sexual activities that involve direct skin-to-skin contact and/or the exchange of bodily fluids.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

Both A & B are correct

A doctor or nurse may ask you questions about your sexual history and test for STI’s through a urine, swab or blood test. 

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

Using a condom during vaginal, anal or oral sex, and when sharing sex toys

Condoms are the best way of preventing most STIs. Each condom can only be used once, and a person should use a new condom when changing between vaginal, anal and oral sex.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

They get an STI test at Family Planning NSW, sexual health clinic or GP

The only way of finding out if you have an STI is by having a sexual health check-up. A sexual health check-up may include: 

• a doctor or nurse asking you about your sexual history 
• a urine test, swab test or blood test

• talking about other things such as healthy relationships, contraception and preventing STIs

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

Water-based lubricant

Water-based lubricant help stop the condom from breaking

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

No, never use an expired condom

An expired condom is less effective as it may break

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

No, the condom is more likely to split

Never use two condoms at the same time. Using two condoms at one time can make the condoms break.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

Throw it away and start again with a new condom

Worn on the penis during vaginal, anal or oral sex, the condom provides a barrier which catches semen and stops the transfer of bodily fluids between partners.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

True for all ages

In NSW, the age of consent is 16 for all people. There are times when a person cannot legally give their consent no matter what age they are. This is when they are:
  • drunk
  • taking drugs
  • asleep or unconscious
  • unsure or unaware of what they are consenting to
  • threatened, pressured or scared

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

16

In NSW, the age of consent is 16 for all people.

WELL DONE!

The correct answer is:

All the above

Consent is when one person agrees or gives permission to another person to do something. It means agreeing to an action based on what you know of the situation and what that action involves, its possible consequences and having the option of saying no.

The correct answer is:

16

In NSW, the age of consent is 16 for all people.