Birth control is how you prevent pregnancy and there are lots of birth control options. Our doctors can help you decide which method works best for you – its birth control you control.

Lifestyle Options

• Not Having Sex
  • 100% effective
• Withdraw (Pull-Out) Method
  • Up to 78% effective
  • Use every time
• Natural Family Planning
  • 76-97% effective
  • Use daily

Over-the-Counter Options

• Condom – fits over erect penis and catches sperm when the man “comes”
  • 82-98% effective
  • Use every time
• Female Condom – a soft, plastic pouch put inside the vagina catches the sperm
  • Up to 79% effective
  • Use every time
• Birth Control Sponge – the sponge blocks sperm from the uterus
  • Up to 76% effective
  • Use every time
• Spermicide – a chemical put in the vagina right before sex to stop sperm from entering the uterus
  • Up to 71% effective
  • Use every time

Prescription Options

• Pill – birth control pills have hormones that prevent ovulation and makes cervical mucus thicker
  • 91-99% effective
  • Take daily
• Ring (NuvaRing^®) – the birth control ring has hormones that prevent ovulation and makes cervical mucus thicker
  • 91-99% effective
  • Replace monthly
• Cervical Cap (FemCap^®) – the cervical cap stops sperm from entering the uterus
  • Up to 71% effective
  • Use every time
• Diaphragm – small rubber cup fits inside vagina, over cervix (opening to the womb)
  • 88-94% effective
  • Use every time
• Patch – the birth control patch has hormones that prevent ovulation and makes cervical mucus thicker
  • 91-99% effective
  • Replace weekly

Long-Acting, Reversible Contraception

• Shot (Depo-Provera^®) – the shot has artificial hormones, which prevents ovulation and makes cervical mucus thicker
  • 94-99% effective
  • Get every 3 months
• Intrauterine Device, also know as IUD (Mirena^®, ParaGard^®, Skyla^®, etc.) – a small piece of flexible plastic, shaped like a T, that is inserted in the uterus. IUDs don’t allow sperm to get to an egg.
  • More than 99% effective
  • Lasts 3-10 years
• Implant (Nexplanon^®) – a tiny thin rod placed under the skin of your upper arm that releases the hormone progestin, which prevents ovulation and makes cervical mucus thicker
  • More than 99% effective
  • Lasts 3 years

Sterilization

• Tubal Ligation – a surgical procedure for women that cuts or blocks the fallopian tubes
  • More than 99% effective
  • Permanent
• Vasectomy – an in-office procedure for men that cuts and seals the tubes that carry sperm into the semen
  • More than 99% effective
  • Permanent

Your doctor is available to discuss these options with you. If you do not have a primary care provider, view clinics to find a clinic near you, or visit our Women’s Clinic.

*Effectiveness rates from Contraceptive Technology, Twentieth Revised Edition, 2011.