Birth Control Options

About this topic

Birth control is also known as contraception. It is a way for men and women to avoid pregnancy. There are many kinds of birth control. It is important to learn about them to decide the best one for you to use. ‚

General

Talk to your partner and your doctor. Together, you can choose the best kind of birth control for you. It is important to think about: ‚

Your health
Protection from sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs)
How often you have sex
If you have more than one sex partner
Your wish to have children in the future

There is only one way to fully avoid pregnancy. That is by not having sex. This is called abstinence. It also protects you from STDs. ‚
What Is The Best Birth Control Method for Me? ‚
Barrier methods: Use a block or barrier to keep the sperm from reaching the egg. Condoms give you the most protection of getting STDs from your partner. Spermicides do not protect you from STDs. ‚

Male condom ¢ ˆ ’ A thin film cover placed over the penis during sex. It is used only once.
Female condom ¢ ˆ ’ A lubricated thin pouch that is placed into the vagina during sex. It may be only used once.
Diaphragm with spermicide ¢ ˆ ’ A dome-shaped flexible disc and rim. It covers the cervix so the sperm cannot reach the egg. It is used with a spermicide.
Sponge with spermicide ¢ ˆ ’ A disc-shaped device with spermicide that covers your cervix. It is put into your vagina before sex.
Cervical cap with spermicide ¢ ˆ ’ A soft latex or silicon cup with a round rim that fits over your cervix.
Spermicide ¢ ˆ ’ A foam, cream, jelly, film, or tablet that kills the sperm when used.

Hormonal methods: These drugs give you hormones that keep the ovary from releasing eggs to be fertilized. This method does not protect you from STDs. ‚

Oral contraceptive pill ¢ ˆ ’ A pill that you take each day that gives you hormones. It stops you from releasing an egg each month and thickens the cervical mucus that keeps the sperm from reaching the egg.
Patch ¢ ˆ ’ The skin patch contains hormones. It is worn on your lower belly, buttocks, or upper body.
Vaginal ring ¢ ˆ ’ A flexible ring that contains and gives you the hormones. It is put into the vagina once a month.
Shot or Injection ¢ ˆ ’ A shot that gives you hormones to stop your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. It also thickens the cervical mucus that keeps the sperm from reaching the egg. It is given every 3 months.

Emergency contraceptive: This may be used if you did not use birth control before sex or if your normal birth control failed. It should not be used as a regular form of birth control. This method does not protect you from STDs. ‚

Morning after pill ¢ ˆ ’ One or two pills with hormones. This works the same with other birth control pills. You can use it after you have sex without a condom or without the use of any birth control. It is also used if your birth control did not work or you are forced to have sex.

Implanted devices: These are put into the body to stop eggs from being fertilized. They can be kept in place for a few years. This method does not protect you from STDs. ‚

Intrauterine device (IUD) ¢ ˆ ’ A T-shaped, flexible device that contains hormones. It is put into your uterus (womb) by the doctor.
Implantable rod ¢ ˆ ’ A matchstick-sized rod put in under the skin of your upper arm that gives a hormone.

Permanent methods: Surgery for people who do not want children in the future. Women will not be able to get pregnant. Men will not be able to get a woman pregnant. ‚

Sterilization surgery:
- Women ¢ ˆ ’ The fallopian tubes are closed off so the sperm cannot reach the egg. This is a tubal ligation.
- Men ¢ ˆ ’ The tube that carries the sperm is blocked. The fluid that comes out does not have sperm in it. This is a vasectomy.
Sterilization implant for women ¢ ˆ ’ A small flexible metal device is put in the fallopian tube. A scar forms around it. This blocks the sperm from reaching the egg.

What will the results be?

Pregnancy and STDs may be avoided. The option you choose will only work if you use it the right way and use it each time you have sex. ‚

Where can I learn more?

Association of Reproductive Health Professionals ‚
http://www.arhp.org/methodmatch/ ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/sex-birth-control/birth-control/birth-control-options.html ‚
FDA Office of Womens Health ‚
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/WomensHealthTopics/ucm117971.htm ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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