Preconception Contraception

As soon as you decide to try for a baby you should stop taking your usual contraception. Be aware that different types of contraception may affect your fertility levels for a certain period just after you stop taking them. Your body may need a while to regain a natural cycle after being on certain types of contraception for any prolonged period of time, for example, the contraceptive injection which can still interrupt your regular cycle months after you've stopped taking it.

This period of time may be different from person to person but is nothing to worry about. If you have any questions about your own cycle and plans to conceive, do consult your doctor.

Contraception in Spain

Various methods of contraception are just as readily available in Spain as they can be in the UK, if not more so. For example, you can purchase the contraceptive pill over the counter without a prescription in Spain. If you go in to a pharmacy with the packet of your current pill, the pharmacist can often supply you with the same one or most similar.

If you have your own health insurance you will also find that your gynacologist will be able to supply you with a prescription for your preferred choice of contraceptive pill.

Other contraceptive methods in Spain include the male condom - readily available as it would be in the UK, the mini pill as well as the pill, caps and diaphragms, the contraceptive injection and the coil.

Emergency Contraception, or the "morning after" pill as it is known in the UK, is known as an "anticonceptivo de urgencia/emergencia" in Spain or also as the "píldora del día después", i.e. the morning after pill and has been available in pharmacies without prescription since 2001.