The main categories are: long-acting reversible methods such as the implant, hormonal coil (IUS), and copper coil (IUD), which are among the most effective because they do not depend on daily use; short-acting hormonal methods like the combined or progestogen-only pill, patch, ring, and injection; barrier methods such as external and internal condoms, which also reduce sexually transmitted infections; permanent methods (female and male sterilisation); and fertility-awareness methods that track your cycle.
No single method is best for everyone. The right choice depends on your health history, whether you smoke, your age, how reliably you can use a method, whether you want children in future, and your preferences around bleeding patterns and side effects.
Only condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections, so they are often used alongside another method. Talk to a doctor, nurse, or family-planning clinic to match a method to your needs and to review any conditions, such as migraine with aura or high blood pressure, that affect which options are safe.