Pros

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reproductive he a l t h access project

your birth control choices IUD

Implant

Shot

Ring

Patch

Pill

Intrauterine Device: Copper (ParaGard™) Progestin (Mirena™) (Skyla™)

Nexplanon™

Depo-Provera™

Nuvaring™

Ortho Evra™

Medium Efficacy: 92-99% How to Use:

High Efficacy: 97-99% High Efficacy: >99%

How to Use:

Medium Efficacy: 92-99%

High Efficacy: 99%

How to Use:

Get shot every 3 months

How to Use:

How to Use:

A health care provider

A health care provider places the IUD in the uterus

places the implant under the skin of the upper arm

Pros:

Insert a small ring into the vagina

Must be removed by a health care provider

Must be removed by a health care provider

Pros:

Pros:

No pill to take daily

ParaGard can prevent pregnancy for 12 years. Mirena can prevent pregnancy for 7 years. Skyla can prevent pregnancy for 3 years.

Can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years

No pill to take daily Progestin IUDs may improve period cramps and bleeding

No pill to take daily Can be used while breastfeeding

Can be used while breastfeeding

Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after the implant is removed

Ability to become pregnant

Cons:

returns quickly when IUD is removed

May cause spotting

Cons: Copper IUD may cause more cramps and heavy periods Progestin IUDs may cause lighter periods, spotting, or no period at all IUDs can cause spotting between periods Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

May cause mood changes, weight gain, headache, acne, and/or skin changes in the upper arm After 1 year, some women have no period at all Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Each shot works for 12 weeks Private

Change ring each month

Take the pill daily Medium Efficacy: 92-99% How to Use: Apply a new patch once a week for three weeks

Does not require a “fitting” by a health care provider

Pros:

Lowers risk of ovarian cancer

Can be used while breastfeeding

Private

more regular and less painful

Does not require spermicide

No pill to take daily

Cons:

Cons:

Can make periods more regular and less painful

Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping patch

Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the ring

May cause nausea, weight gain, headaches, change in sex drive – but these can be relieved by changing to a new brand

Cons:

May cause spotting the first 1-2 months

Cons:

May cause spotting the first 1-2 months

Helps prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus (womb)

May cause spotting, no period, weight gain, depression, hair or skin changes, change in sex drive May cause delay in getting pregnant after you stop the shots Side effects may last up to 6 months after you stop the shots Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

No pill to take daily

Can increase vaginal discharge May cause spotting the first 1-2 months of use Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Diaphragm Female Condom

Can make periods

Can irritate skin under the patch

Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Spermicide cream, gel, sponge, foam, inserts, film

Emergency Contraception Plan B™, Next Choice™, Ella™ and others

How to Use: Take pill(s) as soon as you can after unprotected sex. Low Efficacy: 71-85%

Works best the sooner you take it after unprotected sex. You can take EC up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Low Efficacy: 85-98%

Use the diaphragm each time you have sex

Low Efficacy: 79-95%

How to Use:

How to Use:

Must be used with spermicide

How to Use:

Use a new condom each time you have sex

A health care provider will fit you and show you how to use it

Use a new condom each time you have sex

Insert more spermicide each time you have sex

Use a polyurethane condom if allergic to latex

Pros:

Use extra lubrication as needed

Pros:

Can last several years

Pros:

Can buy at many stores

Costs very little to use

Can buy at many stores

Pros:

Can put on as part of sex play/foreplay

Can be used while breastfeeding

Can put in as part of sex play/foreplay

Cons:

Good for people with latex allergy

Can help prevent early ejaculation

Using spermicide

Cons:

Protects against HIV and many other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Often cause spotting, which may last for many months

Can be used while breastfeeding

Should not be used with vaginal bleeding or infection

May cause depression, hair or skin changes, change in sex drive

Cons:

Raises risk of bladder Infection

Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Efficacy: 58-94%

Take the pill at the same time each day

Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills

Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills

Male Condom

How to Use:

Can be used while breastfeeding

Can improve PMS symptoms Can improve acne

Low Efficacy: 84-94%

How to Use:

Can make periods more regular and less painful

No patch in week 4

Pros:

Progestin-Only Pills

Medium Efficacy: 92-99%

Pros:

Can decrease sensation Can cause loss of erection Can break or slip off

nonoxynol-9 may raise the risk of getting HIV

Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

The Reproductive Health Access Project

Protects against HIV and other STIs Can be used while breastfeeding Cons: May be noisy May be hard to insert May slip out of place during sex

Pros: Can buy at many stores Can be put in as part of sex play/foreplay Comes in many forms: cream, gel, sponge, foam, inserts, film Can be used while breastfeeding

If pack contains 2 pills, take both together Pros: Can be used while breastfeeding Available at pharmacies, health centers or health care providers: Call ahead to see if they have it. Women 17 years or older can get EC without a prescription Cons:

Cons: May irritate vagina, penis Cream, gel, and foam can be messy Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Most spermicides contain a chemical (nonoxynol-9) that can raise the risk of getting HIV if you use it often

May cause stomach upset or nausea The next period may come early or late. May cause spotting Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Girls under age 17 need a prescription. May cost a lot

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