When discussing contraception in Spanish, it’s important to know the right terms, especially if you’re a healthcare professional or someone seeking information in a Spanish-speaking setting. In this post, we’ll cover the most common contraception methods, their Spanish names, and how to use them in a conversation.
1. The Pill – “La píldora” / “Las pastillas anticonceptivas”
The contraceptive pill is commonly referred to as:
✅ La píldora (The pill)
✅ Las pastillas anticonceptivas (Birth control pills)
🔹 Examples:
- ¿Estás tomando la píldora? (Are you taking the pill?)
- Las pastillas anticonceptivas deben tomarse todos los días a la misma hora. (Birth control pills should be taken every day at the same time.)
2. The Injection – “La inyección anticonceptiva”
This is an injectable form of birth control given every few months.
✅ La inyección anticonceptiva (The contraceptive injection)
🔹 Examples:
- ¿Cuándo te toca la próxima inyección anticonceptiva? (When is your next birth control shot due?)
- La inyección anticonceptiva se administra cada uno o tres meses, dependiendo del tipo. (The birth control shot is given every one to three months, depending on the type.)
3. The Implant – “El implante anticonceptivo”
A small rod placed under the skin that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy.
✅ El implante anticonceptivo (The contraceptive implant)
🔹 Examples:
- El implante anticonceptivo puede durar hasta cinco años. (The contraceptive implant can last up to five years.)
- Voy a preguntar al médico si el implante es una buena opción para mí. (I’m going to ask the doctor if the implant is a good option for me.)
4. The IUD – “El DIU (dispositivo intrauterino)”
The intrauterine device (IUD) is called:
✅ El DIU (The IUD)
✅ El dispositivo intrauterino (The intrauterine device)
🔹 Examples:
- El DIU puede ser hormonal o de cobre. (The IUD can be hormonal or copper-based.)
- Mi doctora me recomendó el dispositivo intrauterino porque no quiero usar hormonas. (My doctor recommended the IUD because I don’t want to use hormones.)
5. Condoms – “El condón” / “El preservativo”
Condoms are one of the most common barrier methods of contraception.
✅ El condón (Condom) – More commonly used in Latin America.
✅ El preservativo (Condom) – More commonly used in Spain.
🔹 Examples:
- Siempre es importante usar condón para prevenir enfermedades de transmisión sexual. (It’s always important to use a condom to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.)
- Los preservativos están disponibles en farmacias y supermercados. (Condoms are available at pharmacies and supermarkets.)
6. Vasectomy – “La vasectomía”
A surgical procedure for male sterilization.
✅ La vasectomía (Vasectomy)
🔹 Examples:
- La vasectomía es un método anticonceptivo permanente para los hombres. (Vasectomy is a permanent contraceptive method for men.)
- Mi esposo está considerando hacerse una vasectomía. (My husband is considering getting a vasectomy.)
Other Important Contraception Vocabulary
Here are a few additional terms related to birth control:
✅ Métodos anticonceptivos (Contraception methods)
✅ Planificación familiar (Family planning)
✅ Métodos hormonales (Hormonal methods)
✅ Métodos de barrera (Barrier methods)
✅ Efectividad (Effectiveness)
✅ Pastilla del día siguiente (Morning-after pill)
✅ Ligadura de trompas (Tubal ligation)
Understanding contraception vocabulary in Spanish is essential for clear communication in healthcare settings. Whether you’re talking about birth control pills (píldoras), injections (inyecciones), implants (implantes), IUDs (DIU), condoms (condones/preservativos), or permanent methods like vasectomy (vasectomía), knowing these terms will help you navigate conversations with confidence.
Let us know if you have any other contraception-related terms you’d like to learn!
