Different methods of birth control fall under two categories:
1. Hormonal- which is when an egg is prevented from leaving the ovaries.
2. Barrier- which is when the sperm is prevented from passing through the woman's cervix and into the uterus and Fallopian tubes.
Each type of Birth Control Method is listed below:
(color coded showing which is a Hormonal vs. Barrier method)
Abstinence- Not having vaginal intercourse. It is 100% effective in preventing STDs and pregnancy.
Birth Control Implant- Implant inserted into the skin of the upper arm. The implant releases the hormone progestin and protects against pregnancy for up to 3 years. Less than 1% of women will get pregnant when the implant is used correctly.
Birth Control Patch- A small patch that sticks to your skin to prevent pregnancy, placed once a week for three weeks and then one week with no patch every month. It releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. Less than 1% of women will get pregnant while using the patch. 9% of women get pregnant if the patch is not always used correctly because the hormone level will not remain the same.
Birth Control Pills- A pill taken everyday at the same time for three weeks and one week off every month. It releases the hormones estrogen and/or progestin. Less than 1% of women will get pregnant while on the pill, and about 9% of women will get pregnant if the pill is not taken correctly.
Birth Control Shot- An injection of the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. Each shot protects the woman for 3 months, and less than 1% of women will get pregnant while having the shot correctly. If not taken correctly, about 6% of women get pregnant.
Birth Control Sponge- A plastic foam that contains spermicide inserted deep into the vagina before intercourse; the sponge also has a loop for removal after intercourse. If a woman who has never been pregnant always uses the sponge, she has a 9% chance of becoming pregnant. If a woman who has not been pregnant does not always use the sponge, the risk of pregnancy is increased to 12%.
Birth Control Vaginal Ring- A flexible ring inserted into the vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. The ring slowly releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. It is left in for three weeks and taken out the last week of every month. Less than 1% of women will become pregnant if they always use the ring correctly, and about 9% of women will become pregnant if the ring is not always used correctly.
Cervical Cap- Silicone cap inserted over the cervix. For women who have never given birth vaginally, 14% will become pregnant. For women who have given birth vaginally, 29% will become pregnant.
Condoms- Worn on the penis during intercourse. They are made out of latex or plastic and protect against pregnancy as well as STDs. 2% of women become pregnant if their partner always uses a condom, and 18% of women will become pregnant if the woman's partner does not always use a condom.
Diaphragm- A cup with a flexible rim made out of silicone placed over the cervix. 6% of women will become pregnant if the diaphragm is always used correctly, and 12% of women will become pregnant if the diaphragm is not always used correctly.
Female Condoms- A pouch used during intercourse to protect against pregnancy as well as STDs. It has flexible rims and is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse. 5% of women will become pregnant if the female condom is always used, and 21% of women will become pregnant if the female condom is not always used correctly.
Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)- A pill that is taken up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse. The pill is 85% effective if taken within the first 120 hours after unprotected intercourse.
1. Hormonal- which is when an egg is prevented from leaving the ovaries.
2. Barrier- which is when the sperm is prevented from passing through the woman's cervix and into the uterus and Fallopian tubes.
Each type of Birth Control Method is listed below:
(color coded showing which is a Hormonal vs. Barrier method)
Abstinence- Not having vaginal intercourse. It is 100% effective in preventing STDs and pregnancy.
Birth Control Implant- Implant inserted into the skin of the upper arm. The implant releases the hormone progestin and protects against pregnancy for up to 3 years. Less than 1% of women will get pregnant when the implant is used correctly.
Birth Control Patch- A small patch that sticks to your skin to prevent pregnancy, placed once a week for three weeks and then one week with no patch every month. It releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. Less than 1% of women will get pregnant while using the patch. 9% of women get pregnant if the patch is not always used correctly because the hormone level will not remain the same.
Birth Control Pills- A pill taken everyday at the same time for three weeks and one week off every month. It releases the hormones estrogen and/or progestin. Less than 1% of women will get pregnant while on the pill, and about 9% of women will get pregnant if the pill is not taken correctly.
Birth Control Shot- An injection of the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. Each shot protects the woman for 3 months, and less than 1% of women will get pregnant while having the shot correctly. If not taken correctly, about 6% of women get pregnant.
Birth Control Sponge- A plastic foam that contains spermicide inserted deep into the vagina before intercourse; the sponge also has a loop for removal after intercourse. If a woman who has never been pregnant always uses the sponge, she has a 9% chance of becoming pregnant. If a woman who has not been pregnant does not always use the sponge, the risk of pregnancy is increased to 12%.
Birth Control Vaginal Ring- A flexible ring inserted into the vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. The ring slowly releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. It is left in for three weeks and taken out the last week of every month. Less than 1% of women will become pregnant if they always use the ring correctly, and about 9% of women will become pregnant if the ring is not always used correctly.
Cervical Cap- Silicone cap inserted over the cervix. For women who have never given birth vaginally, 14% will become pregnant. For women who have given birth vaginally, 29% will become pregnant.
Condoms- Worn on the penis during intercourse. They are made out of latex or plastic and protect against pregnancy as well as STDs. 2% of women become pregnant if their partner always uses a condom, and 18% of women will become pregnant if the woman's partner does not always use a condom.
Diaphragm- A cup with a flexible rim made out of silicone placed over the cervix. 6% of women will become pregnant if the diaphragm is always used correctly, and 12% of women will become pregnant if the diaphragm is not always used correctly.
Female Condoms- A pouch used during intercourse to protect against pregnancy as well as STDs. It has flexible rims and is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse. 5% of women will become pregnant if the female condom is always used, and 21% of women will become pregnant if the female condom is not always used correctly.
Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)- A pill that is taken up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse. The pill is 85% effective if taken within the first 120 hours after unprotected intercourse.
For further information on Birth Control Methods and finding the right one for you, click here
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