Journal #34 Birth
Control
List all the methods of birth control
you can think of
Birth Control 101
9 methods of Birth Control
Pros & Cons
Effectiveness-How well they work!
#1 Abstinence
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Not having sexual intercourse
Pros:
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No major health concerns
No exam needed
Always available
Protects against STIs/HIV
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Cons: May be Unrealistic
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Effectiveness: 100%
#2 Male Condom
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Covers penis and stops sperm
Some have spermicide
Easy to buy at the stores
Used only once
Pros:
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Cons:
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No major health concerns
No exam needed
Protect against STIs / HIV
Allergic reactions can happen
Can break if not used properly
Can interrupt sex
Effectiveness: 88% - 98%
#3 Female Condom
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Lines the vagina to stop sperm
Extends outside the vagina
Used only once
Some have spermicide
Easy to buy at the stores
Pros:
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Cons:
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No major health concerns
No exam needed
Most women insert it up to 8
hours before use
Can protect against STIs/HIV
Can be pushed into vagina
Penis can slip to the side of
Can be hard to insert
Can cause minor discomfort
Can break if not used properly
Effectiveness: 79% - 95 %
#4 Hormonal Method (5 Types)
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Hormones stop ovulation
Changes cervical mucus to stop sperm
Prescription needed
5 Methods available
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The PILL is taken at same time each day
The STICK is inserted under skin for 3
yrs
The RING is inserted in vagina for 3 wks
The SHOT is every 12 weeks by a Dr.
The PATCH is put on skin every wk for 3
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All are 97% - 99.9% effective if used
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wks
correctly .
Important: Women decide which one would
work best for them and their lifestyle
Hormonal Method
 Pros:
Easy to use.
 Doesn't interrupt sex.
 May decrease cramps
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 Cons:
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Possible nausea, bloated
feel, light or no periods,
spotting, weight gain or
loss, tender breasts, mood
changes, headaches
For some women, risk of
blood clots, heart attack
and stroke
NO protection against
STIs/HIV
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#5 Emergency Contraceptive
Pills
EC can work within 5 days of sex, but
is
more effective taken sooner
EC is available from Planned
Parenthood, health centers, & at
pharmacy
Stops ovulation, changes lining of uterus
stopping implantation
Does not cause abortion
1 dose of pill
You may want EC if:
 The condom broke
 You had unprotected sex
 BC pills forgotten 2 days in a row
 You were forced into sex
Cons: Half feel nauseous, 1/3 vomit.
 Breast tenderness, irregular bleeding,
fluid retention, & headaches
 Using often causes irregular periods
No protection against STIs/HIV
Effectiveness: 75% - 89%
#6 Barriers & Spermicides
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Cover the cervix
Use with spermicide (kills sperm)
Insert at, & leave in for, the right time
Pros: The Sponge & Spermicide are easy to
buy at the store, No major health issues,
 Others by prescription, but reusable
 Less side effects than hormones
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Cons: Can be messy,
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Allergies to some of spermicide,
May increase risk of UTI,
Some find it hard to put in or take out,
May be pushed out of place
No protection against STIs/HIV
Effectiveness: 71% - 94%
#7 IUD (Intrauterine Device)
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The ParaGard has copper, prevents
sperm's swimming
The hormone in Mirena thickens
cervical mucus, which stops sperm
Prevents fertilization
If fertilization occurs it can stop
implantation
Clinician must insert it
Pros: Doesn't interrupt sex
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Mirena lasts 5-7 yrs, Paragard lasts
10-12 yrs, Hassle-free
Cons: May increase risk of Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease,
 which can cause infertility
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Some women bleed or cramp more
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May slip out of place
Problems can result if user
becomes pregnant
No protection against STIs/HIV
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Effectiveness: 97% - 99%
#8 Natural Family Planning or
Fertility Awareness Method
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Women learn to predict
ovulation by:
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Pros: No major health issues
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Useful in planning pregnancy
Cons: Must check mucus &
temperature every day
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taking temp daily
checking cervical mucus
and recording periods
No protection for STIs/HIV
Effectiveness: 80% - 98%
#9 Vasectomy &
Tubal Sterilization
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Vasectomy makes a man
permanently sterile
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A small section of the "vas
deferens" is removed
Sperm can’t mix in semen
Tubal sterilization permanent
for women
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Fallopian tubes are closed off
by tying and cutting
 Eggs can’t get out
Pros: Permanent
Cons: Permanent,
 No protection against
STIs/HIV,
 Complications can occur with
surgery
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Effectiveness: over 99%
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