Two new contraceptives work better and have fewer side-effects, says the Family Planning Association.
One is an improved IUD (intra-uterine device), the other a morning-after pill.
Dr Christine Roke, of the association, said the IUD was better because it released hormones for five years after it had beenfitted.
The IUD was being hailed because of its benefits to women who bled heavily during their periods.
"It is fairly unusual. A few years ago there was one which released hormones for a year but this is a very much updated version.
"It releases the progesterone hormone, and that's a hormone we've been using for years and we're not worried about its safety in any way."
The IUD prevented thickening of the uterus and stopped the sperm from meeting the egg.
"So what you get is excellent contraception, very much less than 1 per cent failure rate," said Dr Roke. "You get very much reduced bleeding and this is the big advantage.
"It can be used not only as a contraceptive but as a treatment for people who do have problems with heavy periods.
"The hormone works locally on the lining, so the lining doesn't thicken as it usually does, so you've got virtually nothing to come away."
Another benefit was that, because an IUD worked locally, the hormone was not absorbed as much into the rest of the body.
Women who suffered side-effects from the contraceptive pill were less likely to suffer them from the IUD.
While leaving an IUD in for five years seemed a long time, studies had shown this one to be safe - but women should have their IUDs checked once a year, said Dr Roke.
The morning-after pill used the same hormone, progesterone, but had no oestrogen, which the present pill used.
"It is more effective. It has a failure rate of 1 per cent compared with the 3 per cent of the one we usually use.
The new pill had fewer side-effects, said Dr Roke. "You get less nausea and vomiting because it's usually the oestrogen which causes that."
