Birth Control Types in South Africa - Everything You Need to Know

Are you thinking of exploring your options regarding birth control? How do you make such an important decision? Contraception is a deeply personal decision that shapes lives. Understanding the different birth control types is essential to making well-informed decisions about family planning, reproductive health, and overall well-being.

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So, join us to learn more about birth control types available in South Africa to empower you to make informed choices about your reproductive health and family planning. 

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What did Doctor Chido Siame have to say?

We met with Kena Health's clinical care lead, Doctor Chido Siame, to answer popular questions about birth control. 

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So, who is Doctor Chido Siame? Dr. Chido ensures high-quality care delivery and professional development for telemedicine practitioners at Kena Health.

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Chido Musamirapamwe Siame is a dedicated medical professional, who improves healthcare access for underserved populations. 

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She combines clinical expertise and a commitment to public well-being, which her background in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pretoria and ongoing Public Health studies at the University of the Western Cape serve her well.

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With diverse career-spanning roles like Doctor Clinician, OVCY Clinical Technical Advisor at FHI 360, and Hospital Team Lead at Broadreach Healthcare, Dr. Chido excels in clinical care, technical guidance, and program management. Her accomplishments include international conference presentations and contributions to innovative protocols. 

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Read on for her interesting facts about birth control in South Africa.

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What types of birth control can I get in South Africa?

There is a wide range of contraceptives available in South Africa to suit the needs of many different lifestyles. 

• Barrier contraception: condoms
• Short-acting contraception: oral (”the pill” and the “mini-pill”), the patch, the vaginal ring.
• Medium-acting contraception: the injection.
• Long-acting reversible contraception: intrauterine devices, e.g. Mirena and Copper-T, the implant.
• Permanent/irreversible: bilateral tubal ligation (tying tubes), vasectomy.”

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How do I choose the best birth control method for myself?

You need to consider:

• Your fertility intentions, i.e. how soon do you want to have children?
• Your lifestyle, e.g. do you have a constant schedule that allows you to take a pill every day at the same time? Will you remember to take that pill?”
• Any conditions that you might have that require you not to use certain hormones or methods, e.g. obesity, smoking, personal history of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs), family history of breast cancer

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Please remember that it is always best to do this with a trained healthcare professional.

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What is the most common contraceptive pill in South Africa?

The combined oral contraceptive pill. This contains both oestrogen and progesterone. Triphasil is commonly used in the public sector, and Yaz or Yazmin is used in the private sector.

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How to get birth control pills in South Africa?

Birth control pills are available at many healthcare centres. 

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In the private sector, you can get them from any GP doctor. For example, with Kena Health, you could renew your prescription quickly and conveniently from the comfort of your phone.  Pay only R120 for a prescription renewal with Kena Health’s Express services. Going to a doctor's consultation can cost R500 or more.“In the public sector, you can access them at your local clinic. However, stock availability may differ between clinics, and you may have to wait in long queues to find out what birth control pills are available.

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How much does birth control cost in South Africa?

It depends on the method. Some birth control pills, e.g. Triphasil, start from R110 for a packet that will last 1 month.

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When should I take my birth control pill?

You should take your birth control pill every day at the same time each day.

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Which contraceptives are free in South Africa?

Contraceptives are available for free in the public sector. One can access oral contraception, the injection and the implant at a local clinic.

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What is the best way to get a contraceptive in South Africa?

There are many places to access contraceptives. In the private sector, you can go to a GP or access contraception through telemedicine platforms. In the public sector, you can access contraceptives at your local clinic.  On Kena Health, you can get counselling and advice on the best birth control method; you can use our standard consultation services for only R 235 per consultation, less than a fraction of the cost of a GP or gynaecologist. You can do this from the comfort of your phone, and prescriptions or referrals are sent directly to your phone and can be redeemed at pharmacies nationwide.

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What is the most popular contraceptive in South Africa?

The oral contraceptive/ the pill and the injection are very popular.

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What is an IUD?

“IUD” stands for “intra-uterine device”, which is a type of birth control device that is inserted into a woman’s uterus.

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Thank you, Doctor Chido!

Learning more about birth control in South Africa with our friendly and experienced resident expert, Doctor Chido, was fascinating. 

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We hope this information and available choices regarding birth control helped you on your way to making the best decisions for your reproductive health with the help of a qualified healthcare worker of your choice. Remember that your choice of birth control is yours alone and should always be respected and supported. 

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Try the Kena Health app

Download the Kena Health app to talk to a qualified nurse or doctor regarding your birth control needs today. Why choose the Kena Health app? The Kena Health app is easy to use and affordable to access private healthcare in South Africa without the inconvenience of waiting in a doctor's waiting room.