Contraception

Welcome to this Core Knowledge course on Contraception.

When you have completed this course, you will be able to:

• recite the ethical and legal issues relating to contraception and induced abortion
• take a history and counsel about contraceptive techniques, sterilisation and unplanned pregnancy
• understand the role of postpartum contraception in reducing short inter-pregnancy intervals and be able to counsel women about suitable methods
• explain the management of emergency contraception and termination of pregnancy
• assess and manage a woman with contraceptive problems
• complement the development of clinical skills relating to the insertion of intrauterine contraceptive devices, fitting of cervical caps and diaphragms, as well as first trimester termination of pregnancy.

Dr Michelle Cooper MBChB PhD MRCOG MFSRH DipGUM (2018,2019,2022)

Dr Cooper is a Consultant in Gynaecology & Sexual Health and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer based at Chalmers Centre in Edinburgh. During her clinical training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology she completed a PhD in postpartum contraception and in 2022, was awarded an NRS Career Research Fellowship in 2022 to continue her post-doctoral research in this field. She is a member of the MFSRH OSCE examination committee and has contributed to several educational resources for the FSRH, RCOG and NHS Scotland. She is current member of the Scottish RCOG and FSRH Scotland committees, and chairs the Scottish Postpartum Contraception Network.

This course is intended to help clinicians gain core knowledge for O&G training and the MRCOG examinations. It can also be used by O&G consultants to refresh their knowledge of the area or for teaching.

The content of this course relates to the following Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) and key skills:

CiP 1: Clinical skills and patient care
Relevant to all key skills

CiP 11: Non-emergency gynaecology and early pregnancy
Manages sexual wellbeing

CiP 12: Non-emergency obstetrics
Manages a postnatal consultation

Further details about each CiP can be found within the O&G Core Curriculum 2024 Definitive Document, available here .

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Long-acting Reversible Contraception CG30. 2015 (updated 2019). London: NICE; 2015.

Cooper M, Cameron S. Postpartum contraception. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2018;20:159–166.

Vanhegan G. Contraception in the under‐16s: issues of confidentiality and choice of methods. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:22–26.

Carey MS, Allen RH. Non‐contraceptive uses and benefits of combined oral contraception. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2012;14:223–28.

Bhathena RK, Guillebaud J. Postcoital contraception. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2011;13: 29–34.

Bakour SH, Hatti A, Whalen S. Contraceptive methods and issues around the menopause: an evidence update. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2017;19:289– 97.