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Making the right choice for you
Making the right choice for you
There are a lot of things to think about when choosing a birth control method. These include:
How safe it is
How well it works
Whether it helps protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
How easy it is to find
How convenient it is to use
Here are some of the most common types of contraception. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, talk to your provider. Or ask the pharmacist at your local pharmacy.
Hormonal contraception contains estrogen and progestin or just progestin. These are hormones that keep a man’s sperm from joining with a woman’s egg by:
Preventing the egg from being released from the ovaries
Making the mucus of the cervix thicker, which helps block sperm
This makes it almost impossible for a woman to get pregnant.
Hormonal contraception works well to prevent pregnancy. But, it won’t keep you from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Hormonal contraception includes:
Oral contraception (the pill)
There are two kinds of pills:
“Combination pills” have both estrogen and progestin. These are the most common type of birth control pill.
“Mini-pills” only have progestin.
Your provider may not want you to take a pill with estrogen if you are older than 35 and smoke. Or if you have had blood clots or breast cancer. When you’re on the pill, it’s important to take it at the same time every day. If taken the right way, the pill is about 93% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Transdermal (TD) patch
The patch contains progestin and estrogen. You can wear it in a few different places - your lower abdomen, buttocks or upper body. It shouldn’t be worn on your breasts. You’ll want to put on a new patch every week for three weeks. Don’t wear a patch during the fourth week. That’s when you’ll have your period. The patch is about 93% effective at preventing pregnancy, when used correctly.
Vaginal ring
The ring contains progestin and estrogen. You wear the ring inside your vagina for three weeks. During the fourth week, you remove the ring while you have your period. Then put in a new ring. The ring is about 93% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Nexplanon® (etonogestrel) implant
Nexplanon is a small implant that your provider places in your upper arm. It contains progestin, and can last for up to three years. This makes it a good choice for those who don’t want to take a pill every day. Nexplanon is about 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Depo-Provera® (IM medroxyprogesterone) injection
Depo-Provera is an injection you get once every three months. It contains progestin, and is a good choice for those who don’t want to take a pill every day. Depo-Provera is about 96% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
An IUD is shaped like a T. Your provider places it inside your uterus. There are two kinds of IUDs:
The LNG (levonorgestrel intrauterine system) IUD contains progestin. The LNG IUD stays in your uterus for 3 to 6 years. It’s about 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.
The copper T IUD prevents pregnancy by releasing copper into your uterus. This prevents sperm from fertilizing eggs. The copper IUD can last up to 12 years. It’s about 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Barrier contraceptives physically block sperm from entering the uterus. They can also help keep you from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Diaphragm or cervical cap
The diaphragm and cervical cap have slightly different shapes. But both cover the cervix to block sperm. You insert a diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicide, which kills sperm, before sex. Your provider can help make sure you have a good fit, since both the diaphragm and the cervical cap come in different sizes. The diaphragm is about 83% effective at preventing pregnancy. The cervical cap is about 71% effective.
Condom
A man wears a condom during sex to keep sperm from getting into a woman’s body. You can only use a condom once. They are usually made from latex or similar materials. Use condoms with a water-based lubricant. Oil-based lubricants like lotion and baby oil cause condoms to tear or break. Condoms are about 87% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Female condom
Insert a female condom up to eight hours before intercourse. The female condom is about 80% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Spermicides
Spermicides work by killing sperm. They can come in different forms: foam, gel, cream, film, suppository or tablet. Place spermicide in the vagina an hour or less before intercourse. Leave it there six to eight hours afterwards. You can use it with condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps. Spermicides are about 80% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Phexxi(R) vaginal gel
Vaginal gel isn’t a spermicide, but you use it in a similar way. Put the gel in your vagina before sex. It prevents pregnancy by lowering the pH in your vagina when sperm is there. You can use Phexxi with condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps. Phexxi is about 86% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Emergency contraception is not a regular method of birth control. It’s a safe, effective way to keep from getting pregnant after having unprotected sex. It can also be used if your birth control method failed – for example, if a condom broke. Or if you forgot to take your birth control pills.
There are two kinds of emergency contraception. You need to use both within five days of unprotected sex.
- Your provider can insert a copper T IUD. This is the most effective type of emergency contraception.
- You can take an emergency contraceptive pill (sometimes called “the morning-after pill”). There are two types of morning-after pills. Talk to your provider about which one is the best choice for you.