| Method |
What Is It |
How It Works |
How To Use It |
Benefits |
Possible Negatives |
Abstinence
100% |
Not having intercourse |
If you don’t have sex, you don’t have to worry about pregnancy. |
You make a decision not to have sex.
You can postpone sex until a time when you are more ready to handle the possible consequences. |
Promotes communication between partners. |
You won’t be able to have sex, but you will be worry free when it comes to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). |
Oral
Contraceptives
(Birth Control Pills) - 99.5% |
A combination of synthetic female hormones (estrogen and progestin). |
Prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg, thins the uterine lining, and thickens cervical mucus. If there is no egg, there can be no pregnancy.
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There are 28 pills to a pack. The woman takes one pill a day at about the same time every day. A health care provider must write a prescription for the pill after doing an exam.
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Gives the woman control of when she will have a baby. Protects the woman from ovarian and uterine cancer. Relieves painful menstrual cramping and heavy bleeding. Economical.
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Nausea, slight weight gain, bloating, spotting, mood swings. Risky for some women, especially smokers. Will not prevent STIs. Increased risk of blood clots and higher blood pressure.
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Depo-Provera
99.7% |
An injection (shot) of synthetic female hormone. |
Depo-Provera prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg and also thins the uterine lining. |
Once every 84 days (3 months) a woman gets an injection. She will need 4 injections per year. A health care provider must write a prescription for the pill after doing an exam.
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You only have to remember every 3 months. Very private form of birth control. Mothers who are breast feeding can begin injections 6 weeks after giving birth. No increased risk to smokers.
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Unpredictable menstrual bleeding, but after 1 year, most women do not get a period. Fatigue, change in body hair, weight gain, depression and acne. Will not prevent STIs.
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Ortho Evra Patch
99.5% |
A patch (like a band aid) that releases hormones into the skin.Prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg, thins the uterine lining, and thickens cervical mucus. If there is no egg, there can be no pregnancy.
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A patch is worn for 1 week at a time for 3 weeks in a row. The fourth week is patch free.
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A health care provider must write a prescription for the patch after doing an exam.
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You don’t have to remember to take a pill every day. Gives the woman control of when she will have a baby. Protects the woman from ovarian and uterine cancer. Relieves painful menstrual cramping and heavy bleeding. Economical. |
Skin irritation from the patch. Nausea, slight weight gain, bloating, spotting, mood swings. Risky for some women, especially smokers. Will not prevent STIs. Increased risk of blood clots and higher blood pressure. |
Nuva Ring
99.5% |
A small ,flexible, plastic ring that you insert inside your vagina. Hormones from the ring are absorbed through the skin in your vagina. |
Prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg, thins the uterine lining, and thickens cervical mucus. If there is not egg, there can be no pregnancy. |
The ring is worn inside the vagina for 3 weeks (21 days). Then it is removed for 1 week. Then another ring is inserted. She will need 1 ring per month. |
You don’t have to remember to take a pill every day or to change a patch every week. Gives the woman control of when she will have a baby. Relieves some menstrual cramping and heavy bleeding. |
Vaginal discomfort or infection, heavier vaginal discharge, slight weight gain, nausea, irregular bleeding or spotting. Risky for some women, especially smokers. Will not prevent STI’s. Increased risk of blood clots and higher blood pressure. |
IUD (Intrauterine Device)
96-98% |
A plastic device inserted into the uterus. |
Usually prevents fertilization of the egg. Affects the way the sperm move through the uterus. Changes the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg can’t implant. |
Inserted into the uterus by a health care practitioner. Usually done during menses when the cervix is soft and the woman is unlikely to be pregnant. |
Long term pregnancy prevention for up to 4 years, depending on the type of IUD used. No daily routine. Nothing needs to be done at time of intercourse. |
Cramping and/or backache for several days after insertion. Heavier periods with more cramping. Spotting in between periods. More likely to develop pelvic infection, so it is essential to have only one sex partner. |
Male
Condom
95+% |
A sheath that covers the penis made of latex, animal membrane or plastic. |
At the time of ejaculation the semen is caught in the closed end of the condom so that it cannot spill into the vagina. |
Unrolled onto the erect penis. Allow room at the closed end for ejaculate. Water-based lubricant use helps prevent breakage. Soon after ejaculation remove the penis from the vagina while holding on to the base of the condom. 1 use per condom. |
Provides effective birth control; also protects against STIs. Condoms are the only birth control method that does both. Economical, easy to use. |
Must be put on before any contact between penis and vagina. Some people see it as an interruption to lovemaking; others incorporate it into lovemaking without any problem. Allergic reactions. |
Female
Condom
80% |
A thin sheath made of plastic with a round rubber ring for insertion into the vagina. |
The closed end fits inside the vagina and covers the cervix, the sheath covers the walls of the vagina and the opening is outside of the body. |
The condom is inserted into the vagina, and the penis stays inside the plastic sheath during intercourse. Be sure there is lubrication on the inside of the condom. When the male ejaculates the semen is caught inside the closed end. |
Provides birth control; also protects against STIs. Condoms are the only birth control method that does both. Cheap |
Must be inserted before any contact between penis and vagina . Takes some practice to use properly. Allergic reactions. |
Spermicides
80% alone
95% with
condom |
Foam, cream, jelly, film or suppositories made of a chemical that kills or immobilizes sperm. |
Kills or immobilizes sperm. Most contain non-oxynol-9, a chemical that kills or immobilizes sperm. |
Foam and jelly is inserted into the vagina with an applicator, film or suppositories using a finger. Usually used in conjunction with another method of birth control, like condoms or a diaphragm. Some need 10’ to dissolve before sex. |
Enhances effectiveness of other methods. Provides backup in case the other method fails. Can be used without the male partner's cooperation. |
Allergic reactions. Must be inserted prior to every episode of intercourse. May cause some watery discharge after intercourse. |
