One advantages of hormonal contraception are that, when used properly i.e. taken on time and regularly, they are more effective than physical barrier contraceptives such as condoms or diaphragms. However they do not protect you against sexually transmitted infections during intercourse. Another advantage is that they are constantly 'switched on', this means that instead of a couple having to stop and think to use single-use contraception before intercourse, the contraceptive is constantly at work. A disadvantage to counter this would be that due to this constantly switched on nature, many women experience side effects of hormonal contraception such as headaches, acne or weight fluctuations.