YOUR BIRTH CONTROL CHOICES
| Method | How well does it work? | How to Use | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Male Condom
|
85-98% |
Use a new condom every time you have sex Use a polyurethane condom if allergic to latex |
Easy to buy in pharmacies and other stores Can be put on as part of sex play Can help relieve early ejaculation Protects against HIV and many other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Can be used while breastfeeding |
Loss of feeling Can break or slip off Latex allergy |
Female Condom 
|
79-95% | Use a new condom every time you have sex |
Easy to buy in pharmacies and other stores Can be put in as part of sex play Good for people with latex allergy Protects against HIV and other STIs Can be used while breastfeeding |
May be noisy May be hard to insert May irritate vagina, penis May slip out of place during sex |
|
Spermicide (cream, gel, foam, inserts) 
|
71-85% | Insert more spermicide every time you have sex |
Easy to buy in pharmacies and other stores Can be put in as part of sex play Comes in many forms: cream, gel, foam and inserts Can be used while breastfeeding |
Using spermicide nonoxynol-9 may raise the risk of getting HIV May irritate vagina, penis Cream, gel, and foam can be messy |
Diaphragm 
|
84-94% |
Must be used every time you have sex A health care provider will fit you and show you how to use it |
Can last several years Costs very little to use May protect against some infections (NOT HIV) Can be used while breastfeeding |
Using spermicide nonoxynol-9 may raise the risk of getting HIV Should not be used during vaginal bleeding or infection Increased risk of bladder infection |
|
The Implant (Implanon™) 
|
> 99% (long term studies not available yet) |
A provider must place it under the skin of the upper arm Must be removed by a provider |
Long lasting (up to three years) Can be used while breastfeeding Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after it is removed |
May cause irregular bleeding (spotting, no periods or heavy periods) After 1 year, many women have no period at all Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
The Pill 
|
92-99% | Must take the pill daily |
Can make periods more regular and less painful Can improve acne Lowers risk of ovarian cancer Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills |
May cause nausea, weight gain, headaches - but these can be relieved by changing to a different brand May cause spotting the first 1-2 months Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
Progestin-Only Birth Control Pills 
|
95-99% | Must take the pill daily at the same time. |
Can be used while breastfeeding Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills |
May cause spotting Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
The Patch (Ortho Evra®) 
|
92-99% | Apply a new patch once a week for three weeks. No patch in week 4. |
Can make periods more regular and less painful Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use is stopped |
Can irritate skin underneath the patch May cause spotting the first 1-2 months Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
The Ring (Nuvaring®) 
|
92-99% |
Insert a small ring into the vagina Change ring each month |
Does not require a “fitting” by a health care provider Private Does not require spermicide Can make periods more regular and less painful Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the ring |
Can increase vaginal discharge May cause spotting the first 1-2 months of use Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
The Shot (Depo-Provera®) 
|
97-99% | Get shot every three months |
Each shot works for 12 weeks Private Helps prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus (womb) Can be used while breastfeeding Can't be seen |
May cause spotting, no period, weight gain, depression, hair changes, skin rash, change in sex drive May cause delay in getting pregnant after you stop the shots Side effects may last up to 6 months after you stop the shots Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
IUD Intrauterine Device (Paragard®, Mirena®) 
|
99% |
Must be placed in uterus by a health care provider Must be removed by a health care provider |
Nothing to put in place before sex ParaGard may be left in place for up to 10 years, and Mirena for 5 years IUDs with hormones (Mirena) may help period cramps and bleeding Can be used while breastfeeding Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when IUD is removed Can't be seen |
ParaGard may cause more cramps and heavy periods Mirena may cause lighter periods or no period at all IUDs can cause spotting between periods Rarely, uterus is injured during placement Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
|
Emergency Contraception (Plan B®) 
|
89% | Take 2 pills together as soon as you can after unprotected sex |
Can lower the risk of pregnancy if taken within 5 days of unprotected sex Can be used while breastfeeding |
Can cause nausea The next period sometimes comes a few days early or a few days late May cause spotting Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |