Abstinence
DESCRIPTION: No sex or intimate contact until you’re married or
mature enough to handle what happens with sexual intimacy.
“Outercourse” is a term used to describe intimate contact short of
intercourse
EFFECTIVENESS: 100% effective if no semen enters the vagina.
SIDE EFFECTS: You won’t have to worry about getting pregnant or
getting a sexually transmitted infection. And you won’t be loaded
down with a relationship that can get sticky and hard to handle.
WHERE TO GET IT: You’ve got it! “NO” is one of the first words you
ever learned.
Natural Family Planning
DESCRIPTION: Natural methods that require a lot of self-control from
both partners. The Billings Method: checking cervical mucus to
determine women’s fertile period based on changes in vaginal
discharge that occur just before she’s fertile.
EFFECTIVENESS: 85%-97%. Pretty risky. Rhythm or calendar method.
SIDE EFFECTS: No side effects but no protection against sexually
transmitted disease either. Natural Family Planning demands trust,
communication, and a supportive relationship.
WHERE TO GET IT: Clinics or medical professionals offer instruction in
the Billings Method.
Male Condom
DESCRIPTION: Thin latex or polyurethane disposable sheath (should be
lubricated with a strong spermicide) worn over the penis during sex.
EFFECTIVENESS: 86%-98% if used correctly every time. More effective
if used with film or foam.
SIDE EFFECTS: If either partner is allergic try another brand. A condom
should be used even if she is on the pill, has a IUD, a Norplant, uses
Depo Provera, is wearing a diaphragm, or if she has had a vasectomy to
protect against STIs.
WHERE TO GET IT: Condoms and pouches are available at family
planning and medical clinics, drug stores, in dispensers in men’s and
women’s bathrooms, by mail or on internet.
Female Condom
DESCRIPTION: Pre-lubricated pouch with open ring at one end, closed
ring at other. Closed ring anchored between cervix and vagina, open
ring just outside body.
EFFECTIVENESS: 79%-95% effective if used perfectly.
SIDE EFFECTS: No. If you are allergic, ask your health care provider for
suggestions.
WHERE TO GET IT: Condoms and pouches are available at
family planning and medical clinics, drug stores, in dispensers
in men’s and women’s bathrooms, by mail or on internet.
Spermicides (Films)
DESCRIPTION: 2”x2” folding film, a little thicker than plastic wrap,
containing a strong spermicide. When folded, the film is placed in the
vagina to form a barrier the keeps sperm from entering the uterus.
EFFECTIVENESS: 72%-94% effective if used perfectly. 99% effective
when using a condom
SIDE EFFECTS: Allergy possible. If you experience vaginal, penile, or
bladder irritation, use another form of birth control.
WHERE TO GET IT: Drug store, family planning or medical clinic. No
medical exam or prescription needed. Lots of contraceptives on drug
store shelves.
Spermicides (Foam/Suppositories)
DESCRIPTION: Sperm-killing foam OR suppository inserted into vagina
before having sex. Be sure the product you use contains a strong
spermicide to protect you from pregnancy and STIs.
EFFECTIVENESS: 71% effective if foam is used alone (Not good). 98%
effective if partner uses a condom too.
SIDE EFFECTS: Allergy possible. If you experience vaginal, penile, or
bladder irritation, use another form of birth control.
WHERE TO GET IT: Drug store, family planning or medical clinic. No
medical exam or prescription needed. Lots of contraceptives on drug
store shelves.
Diaphragm Cervical Cap
DESCRIPTION: The diaphragm and cervical cap are barrier birth control
devices tailored to fit over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering
the uterus. Caps come in different sizes and have different instructions
and can be left in place twice as long.
EFFECTIVENESS: Cervical Cap: 80%-90% effective before child birth,
60%-80% effective after. Diaphragm: 80%-94% if used perfectly. Weight
changes damages effectiveness. Get professional advice.
SIDE EFFECTS: None unless spermicide causes irritation. If it does,
change to another brand of spermicide. Using a diaphragm or cap
alone won’t protect you from getting AIDS or other STIs. Insist on
condom use
WHERE TO GET IT: Available from a health care professional or clinic.
Low cost fitting and instruction at family planning clinics.
The Pill
DESCRIPTION: The pill is made of synthetic hormones almost like those
produced by the ovaries. You need a prescription. Take the pill, as
prescribed, at the same time every day whether or not you have sex
because it’s the action of the pills that protects you from pregnancy.
EFFECTIVENESS: 95%-99% effective if used perfectly.
SIDE EFFECTS: Positive- Regular periods, less anemia, less cramping,
less benign breast disease. May protect against some forms of cancer.
Negative- (Normally disappear within 3 months) May include nausea,
spotting, missed periods, headaches, mood changes, dark skin areas.
Major but rare: blood clots, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease,
heart attacks, liver tumors.
WHERE TO GET IT: By prescription. Low cost or no cost at many family
planning clinics. Never borrow a pill from a friend.
IUD (Intrauterine Device)
DESCRIPTION: Small plastic or metal device inserted in uterus by a
medical professional. Nylon thread attached for easy checking.
EFFECTIVENESS: 97.4%-99% effective.
SIDE EFFECTS: Irregular menstrual bleeding at first, then little or no
menstruation, with longer periods, spotting between periods or
skipped periods. Possible changes in hair distribution, headaches, and
weight gain. Check with your health provider if you experience any
unusual symptoms. Major but rare: blood clots, depression. Some IUDs
may cause heavy menstrual flow; others, no flow. May cause cramps or
other irritation as body tries to reject IUD. Expect heavy menstrual
periods the first few months.
WHERE TO GET IT: Medical Professional or family planning clinic. Pricey
but protection lasts longer than some other methods. You will be asked
to sign a consent form and return for a follow up clinic visit.
Injectable (Depo Provera)
DESCRIPTION: Depo Provera is given as a shot that protects you from pregnancy. The
shots must be given at specific times by medical professionals. Injectables contain
chemical similar to hormone released from ovaries during menstrual cycle. They
work by preventing eggs from being released and fertilized.
EFFECTIVENESS: 99.7%
SIDE EFFECTS: Irregular menstrual bleeding at first, then little or no menstruation,
with longer periods, spotting between periods or skipped periods. Possible changes
in hair distribution, headaches, and weight gain. Check with your health provider if
you experience any unusual symptoms. Major but rare: blood clots, depression.
Some IUDs may cause heavy menstrual flow; others, no flow. May cause cramps or
other irritation as body tries to reject IUD. Expect heavy menstrual periods the first
few months.
WHERE TO GET IT: Medical Professional or family planning clinic. Pricey but
protection lasts longer than some other methods. You will be asked to sign a consent
form and return for a follow up clinic visit.
Skin Patch
DESCRIPTION: Contraceptives, adhesive skin patch, about 2¾ inch
square, applied once a week to one of four places. Contraceptive
material in patch enters blood stream to protect user against
pregnancy.
EFFECTIVENESS: If used correctly patch is as effective as the
contraceptive pill, 95%-99%.
SIDE EFFECTS: Positive- Regular periods, less anemia, less cramping,
less benign breast disease. May protect against some forms of cancer.
Negative- (Normally disappear within 3 months) May include nausea,
spotting, missed periods, headaches, mood changes, dark skin areas.
Major but rare: blood clots, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease,
heart attacks, liver tumors.
WHERE TO GET IT: By prescription. Low cost or no cost at many family
planning clinics. Never borrow a pill from a friend.
Nuva Ring
DESCRIPTION: The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring a woman inserts into her
vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It is left in place for three weeks and
taken out for the remaining week each month. The hormones that are released work
by keeping a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs.
EFFECTIVENESS: 99% effective if used correctly.
SIDE EFFECTS: Most women can use NuvaRing safely. But all medications have some
risks, so safety is a concern when choosing a birth control method. Serious side
effects of the ring, though rare, may be more likely if you have certain conditions.
Some of these conditions may even rule out using the ring. Talk with your health care
provider to find out if the ring is likely to be safe for you.
WHERE TO GET IT: First, you’ll need to get a prescription. Visit a planned parenthood
health center, a clinic, or a private health care provider for a prescription. Your health
care provider will discuss your medical history with you, check your blood pressure,
and give you any other medical exam that you may need.
Withdrawal (Pulling Out)
DESCRIPTION: A man who uses withdrawal will pull his penis out of the
vagina before ejaculation — the moment when semen spurts out of his
penis.
EFFECTIVENESS: VERY LOW!
SIDE EFFECTS: High risk of pregnancy, STIs and HIV/AIDS
WHERE TO GET IT: N/A