Veselina Tomova

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How pregnancy is prevented
Many options:

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Inserted under the skin of the upper arm
Tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick
Releases progestin which stops ovulation
Thickens the cervical mucus
Can be easily removed
Can get pregnant quickly after removal
Side effects: spotting; longer, heavier periods
Does not prevent STDs
Requires doctor or nurse

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Small piece of flexible plastic
Shaped like a “T”
Easily removed
Can get pregnant quickly after removal
Requires doctor or nurse
Does not prevent STDs
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Hormonal IUD
3-6 years
Sops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
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Copper IUD
12 years
No hormones
Prevent sperm entry to uterus
Prevent implantation

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Injection of progestin
Stops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
Have to get it on time to be effective
Wears off after 2 weeks if stopped
10+ months before you can get pregnant
Requires doctor or nurse
Does not prevent STDs

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Inserted inside the vagina
Releases progestin and estrogen
Stops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
Replacement rings stored at room temperature
Can be used to have or not to have a period
Prescription required
Does not prevent STDs

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Adhesive patch stuck on skin
Worn on belly, upper arm, butt, or back
Releases progestin and estrogen
Stops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
Can have or not have period
Can get pregnant quickly after removal
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Designed to stay on while
Swimming, sweating, bathing, sauna etc.
Prescription required
Does not prevent STDs

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Pills taken daily
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Release progestin + estrogen
Combination pills
28 days or 21 days
Stops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
Have to be consistent
Effective quickly
Can get pregnant quickly after stopped
Prescription required
Does not prevent STDs

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Covers the penis
Thin and stretchy
Latex, plastic, lambskin
Collects sperm
Over-the-counter
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Protects from STDs
No contact with bodily fluids
Oral, vaginal, anal

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Inserted in the vagina
Soft plastic pouch
Comes lubricated
Inserted like a tampon
Can be inserted before sex
Quickly becoming more available
Over-the-counter
Protects from STDs

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Shallow, bendable cup
Soft silicone
Inserted in the vagina
Covers the cervix
Works best with spermicide
Insert as you would a tampon
Reusable
Prescription required
Does not prevent STDs

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Small, round
Soft, squishy plastic sponge with a fabric loop
Inserted in vagina like a tampon
Covers cervix
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Already contains spermicide
Wet it with water to activate it
Not reusable
Leave 6 hours after sex (no more than 30 hours)
Cannot be used during your period
Over-the-counter
Does not prevent STDs

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Soft silicone
Sailor’s hat
Smaller than diaphragm
Can be left up to 2 days (48 hours)
Works best with spermicide
Reusable
Prescription required
Does not prevent STDs

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Chemical put inside the vagina
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Stops sperm from swimming to the eggs
Doesn’t actually kill sperm
Can be used with other methods
Creams, gels, foams, suppositories, etc.
Apply shortly before sex
Do not apply excessively
Won’t damage condoms
Over-the-counter
Does not prevent STDs

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Temperature method:
Take temperature in the morning every day before getting out of bed
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Calendar method:
Charting your menstrual cycle
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Cervical mucus method:
Checking your cervical mucus
(vaginal discharge) every day
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Dedication required
No sex on certain days
Very informed about menstrual cycle
Does not prevent STDs
Symptothermal Method

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A. k. a. “the pull out method” and
“coitus interruptus”
Ejaculation outside the vagina and vulva
Works best with another birth control method
Has to be done consistently
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Requires dedication, skill, experience, and self-control
Man has to know when he’ll ejaculate
Does not prevent STDs

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Breastfeeding as birth control
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Works only if done a certain way
Every 4 hours during the day
Every 6 hours during the night
Feed only breast milk
Don’t use a breast pump
Stops ovulation + period
Works up to 6 months after birth
Takes dedication
Does not prevent STDs

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Outercourse
Other sexual activities besides vaginal sex
Oral, anal, intercrural, grinding, kissing, masturbating
Does not prevent STDs
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Abstinence
No sexual activity
Subjective
Protects from STDs
Dedication + willpower

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A. k. a. sterilization, female sterilization, and “getting your tubes tied”
Surgical procedure
Blocks/closes the fallopian tubes
Still get period
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Permanent
Reversal is difficult & expensive
IVF may be effective
Does not prevent STDs

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Essure
Done through the vagina and cervix
No incisions
Tiny coils inserted in the tubes; tissue grows around them after about 3 months
Safer, shorter, and only local anesthesia
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Laparoscopy
Most common
Local & general anesthesia
Small incision on belly (small scarring)
A laparoscope finds fallopian tubes and closes them

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A. k. a. male sterilization
Surgical procedure
Vas deferens in the scrotum are cut or blocked
Still ejaculate, but there will be no sperm in semen
No sperm after 3 months
Does not prevent STDs

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Incision method
Small cuts on the scrotum
Part removed
Blocked with clips
Closed with electrical current
(cauterized)
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No-scalpel method
Lower risk of infection
Less time to heal
Small hole
Tie off, cauterize, or block

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After unprotected sex or if you messed up other BC method
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Stops ovulation
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Copper IUD
5 days (120 hours)
Most effective (99%)
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Morning-after pill
Ulipristal acetate
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Prescription (5 days)
Levonorgestrel
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Over-the-counter (3 days)
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Should not be used regularly
Not as effective as other methods
Causes bleeding between periods, nausea, etc.