Birth Control Options
| Sexual Health Home | GLBT Health |
Myths/Realities | Reproductive Health |
STI's & Immunizations |
| Emergency Contraceptives |
Birth Control Options |
Pregnancy Options |
Safer Sex Zone |
Hendrix Home |
| Primary Birth Control Hormonal | How to Use | Effectiveness (perfect use) | Perscription Needed | Protects Against STDs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
21 day and 28 day oral contraceptive (the Pill) |
Take 1 pill every day as directed. A period occures every 28 days. | Approximately 99% effective | Yes | No |
 |
Extended cycle oral contraceptive (The extended cycle Pill) | Take 1 pill every day for 3 months as directed. A period occures just 4 times a year | Approximately 99% effective | Yes | No |
 |
Contraceptive Patch | Apply to skin and change weekly | Approximately 99% effective | Yes | No |
 |
Vaginal Ring (hormonal) | Insert monthly and leave in place for 21 days | More than 98% effective | Yes | No |
 |
Injection | Get injections every 3 months | More than 99% effective | Injections given in healthcare professional's office or clinic | No |
 |
IUD (hormonal) | Inserted in the uterus and can remain for up to 5 years. | More than 99% effective | IUD inserted in healthcare professional's office or clinic | No |
 |
Implanon | Inserted under skin of upper arm by health care professional. | More than 99% effective | Inserted under skin of upper arm by health care professional. | No |
| Primary Birth Control Nonhormonal |
How to Use | Effectiveness (Perfect Use) |
Prescription Needed |
Protects Against STDs | |
 |
Male Condom | Partner must wear every time during sex. | Up to 97% effective | No | Yes, most condoms |
 |
Female Condom | Insert every time before sex. | 95% effective | No | Some |
 |
Diaphram | Insert every time before sex. | Up to 94% effective when used with spermicide | Yes | Some, when used with spermicide |
 |
Spermicide | Apply ever time before sex. | 94% effective | No | Some |
 |
Today's Sponge | Insert before sex. Lasts a maximum of 30 hours. | 89-91% effective | No | No |
 |
IUD (copper) | Inserted in the uterus and can remain for up to 10 years. | 98.5% effective | IUD inserted in healthcare professional's office or clinic | No |
 |
Withdrawal | Male removes penis before ejaculating into the vagina. | estimated at about 20% - uncertain | No | No |
 |
Sterilization (male or female) | No action required after surgery. | 99.5% effective (female) 99.9% effective(male) |
No. Performed Surgically | No |
 |
Abstinance | Abstaining from intercourse | 100% effective - when used correctly | No | Yes |
 |
Natural Family Planning | ||||
| Emergency Contraception -- if your primary method of birth control fails | |||||
 |
Emergency contraceptive pill | Take 1st pill within 72 hours after unprotected sex or contraception failure. Take 2nd Pill 12 hours after the 1st dose | 89% effective | Yes* | No |
