Contraception
Effective
Methods of
Birth Control
Abstinence
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Means choosing NOT to have sex
It is the ONLY method that is 100% effective
It is your right to be in control of your body and
say NO
What are some reasons for
choosing abstinence?
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Male Condom
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A latex sheath that is rolled
over an erect penis
Acts to prevent direct genital
contact and the exchange of
genital fluids
Should be used in
combination with a spermicide
(97-98% effective). Alone (85%
with perfect use)
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Male Condom (cont’d)
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Advantages
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They are your BEST
protection against STI’s
Easily accessible and
inexpensive
Do not need prescription
No hormonal changes
May help to avoid
premature ejaculation
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Disadvantages
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Reduced sensitivity
Must be stored & handled
properly (expiry date)
Can slip off or break
Latex allergies
Should be used with a
spermicide for better
protection
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Female Condom
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A disposable polyurethane
pouch, shaped like a round,
upside-down baggie
Placed in the vagina before sex
(a new condom should be used
for each act of intercourse)
Prevents direct genital contact &
exchange of body fluids
79-95% effective
Never use with a male condom
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Female Condom
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Advantages
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It's the only contraceptive
controlled by girls that protects
against pregnancy and STI’s
Can be inserted up to 8 hours
before sex
Can be used for anal sex
Do not need prescription
No hormonal changes
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Female Condom (cont’d)
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Disadvantages
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Some girls may have trouble inserting it correctly
May make a ‘rustling’ sound during sex (add lubricant
on inside)
More expensive than male condoms ($3 each)
Need to plan ahead
Hangs outside the vagina (unappealing)
May slip out or break
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Spermicide
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Contain ingredients that disable
sperm
Available in various forms:
sponges, creams, jellies,
tablets, foams, film and
suppositories
Very effective when used with a
barrier method (condom)
82% effective when used alone
(perfect use)
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Spermicide (cont’d)
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Advantages
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Easily accessible
In-expensive
Does not contain
hormones
Do not need a prescription
Can be used by women
who smoke or are
breastfeeding
May provide some
lubrication
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Disadvantages
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No STI protection
Needs to be used in
combination with another
form of birth control
Can be messy
Need to plan ahead
Possible irritation/allergy
May have to interrupt sex
to apply
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Emergency Contraception
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Emergency methods of birth
control used when sex was
unplanned or forced, or the
birth control method failed
(condom broke, missed pills)
Reduces possibility of conception
Can be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) after
unprotected sex
75-98% effective (the earlier, the better)
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Birth Control Pills
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“The Pill” is the most popular method of birth control
Pills contain estrogen & progestin
Taken daily to prevent unwanted pregnancy
Come in 21 or 28 day packs
Progestin-only pills also available
99.7% effective (perfect use)
Work by:
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Suppressing ovulation (no egg released)
Thinning the lining of the uterus (egg cannot implant)
Thickening cervical mucous (difficult for sperm to penetrate)
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Birth Control Pills (cont’d)
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Advantages
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Very effective
Regulates menstrual cycle
Reduces menstrual flow
Reduces cramping
Reduces acne & hirsutism
Decreases risk of ovarian &
endometrial cancer
Reduces risk of PID
Completely reversible
No interruption of sex
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Disadvantages
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No protection against STIs
Possible side effects (nausea,
bloating, breast tenderness,
headaches, break-through
bleeding)
Need a prescription
Must remember to take pills
around the same time every day
Increases risk of blood clots
Cannot use if over age 35 and a
smoker
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Transdermal Patch - EVRA
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A hormonal birth control patch
that is worn on the skin (99.7%
effective)
The patch continuously delivers
estrogen & progestin through the
skin
Works the same way as the birth
control pill
Apply one patch/week for 3
weeks, then no patch on 4th week
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Where to Wear the Patch
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Transdermal Patch (cont’d)
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Advantages
 Disadvantages
– Effective & reversible
– No STI protection
– Once a week
– Less effective if over 198 lbs (90 kg)
– Regular, lighter periods
– Possible side effects (breast
tenderness, BTB, headaches,
– Less PMS and cramping
nausea)
– Reduced risk of cancers
– Risk of blood clots
– Less ovarian cysts and
– Possible skin irritation
benign breast conditions
– Need a prescription
– Patch may fall off (less than 2%)
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Vaginal Ring - NuvaRing
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A flexible ring that is
inserted into the vagina and stays there for 3
weeks
The ring releases estrogen & progestin that are
absorbed through the vagina into the bloodstream
Works in the same manner as birth control pill
99.7% effective (perfect use)
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Vaginal Ring (cont’d)
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Advantages
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Effective and reversible
Once a month
Makes periods more
regular, lighter
Does not interfere with
sex
Similar benefits as the
birth control pill (acne,
cancer, cysts, etc.)
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Disadvantages
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No STI protection
Possible side effects from
hormones (spotting,
nausea, headache, etc.)
Need a prescription
Ring may fall out
(uncommon)
May cause vaginal
discomfort or irritation
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Depo Provera
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A hormonal method of birth control that
contains progestin only (no estrogen)
Given by injection every 3 months
(12-13 weeks)
99.7% effective (perfect use)
Works by:
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Suppressing ovulation (no egg released)
Thinning the lining of the uterus (egg cannot implant)
Thickening cervical mucous (difficult for sperm to penetrate)
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Depo Provera (cont’d)
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Advantages
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Only 4 times a year
May stop having periods
Can be used by people
with estrogen sensitivity
Can be used while
breastfeeding
Reduces risk of
endometrial cancer
Improves symptoms of
endometriosis
Effective & reversible
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Disadvantages
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Causes decrease in bone
density
No STI protection
Delayed return of fertility
Need a prescription
Need to see doctor/nurse
for injections
Possible side effects
(irregular bleeding, weight
gain, headaches, mood
changes)
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Female Sterilization
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“Getting your tubes tied”
A surgical procedure to
permanently block the
fallopian tubes
Prevents sperm and egg
from meeting
99.5% effective
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Male Sterilization
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Also called “vasectomy”
A surgical procedure to
permanently block the vas
deferens
Stops sperm from being
released into the man’s
ejaculate, so the egg
cannot be fertilized
99.9% effective
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Myths & Realities
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A girl can’t get pregnant if she doesn’t orgasm.
A guy can’t get a girl pregnant if he doesn’t orgasm.
The birth control pill is effective as soon as you start
taking it.
Withdrawal is an effective method of birth control if the
male has good self-control.
Sperm that has been deposited in the vagina 2 days
before ovulation are incapable of fertilizing the egg.
Douching after intercourse will help to prevent
pregnancy.
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault
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The most common date-rape drug is
not rohypnol – it is…..
Drug facilitated sexual assault may
happen a lot more often than we
think
Most sexual assaults are committed
by a person the victim knows or
trusts
Most victims are women between the
ages of 16-24
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault
What can you do to
protect yourself?
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Safety Tips
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Watch for signs that your drink has been spiked
(tastes or looks weird, feeling giddy, drowsy,
light-headed or way “too drunk”)
Limit how much alcohol you drink
Avoid punch bowls
Watch your drink
Be wary of opened drinks offered to you
Use a buddy system
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
Final Remarks
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BE PREPARED! Protecting yourself against STI’s and
pregnancy is a shared responsibility
Know your partner’s sexual history
Alcohol & drugs can impair your decisions
If you think you might have sex, make sure you have
condoms… and know how to use them correctly!
Irresponsible choices you make now can affect your
health, and the health of your partner, for a long time
Not protecting yourself is a HUGE RISK
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit