Birth Control

BIRTH CONTROL

	HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES
	NON-HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES
	TALKING WITH YOUR PARTNER
	EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

Hormonal contraceptives work by preventing release of an egg from your ovaries into the uterus, and may also make the uterus an "unfriendly" environment for sperm. While most women know about the birth control pill, there are other hormonal birth control methods that are now available.

HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES	HOW EFFECTIVE IS THIS METHOD?	HOW MANY OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?	HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO USE IT?	ARE THERE INTERRUPTIONS WITH THIS METHOD?	HOW QUICKLY CAN I GET PREGNANT IF I STOP USING IT?	DO I NEED TO SEE MY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL TO START?	DO I NEED A PRESCRIPTION?	DOES THIS PROTECT AGAINST HIV & STD'S
The Patch	99% effective	There is only 1 contraceptive patch	The patch is applied once a week for 3 weeks. During week 4 no patch is used	There are no interruptions with this method	Once stopped, it may take a few cycles before you can become pregnant	You need to learn how to apply the patch correctly	Yes	No
Oral Contraceptive (The Pill)	99% effective	There are a variety of pills available in different doses	You should take your pill every day, at approximately the same time each day	There are no interruptions with this method	Once stopped, it may take a few cycles before you can become pregnant	You may need instructions on the correct way to take your pill	Yes	No
Contraceptive Injections	99% effective	There are 2 options currently available: a monthly injection and injection that is given every 3 months	You receive an injection either monthly or every 3 months	There are no interruptions with this method	Ovulation may be delayed up to a year	A health care professional administers the injection	Yes	No
Progestin-Releasing Intrauterine Device (IUD)	99% effective	There is 1 hormone-releasing IUD currently available	The suggested length of use is 5 years or less	There are no interruptions with this method	Once removed, fertility can return within a year	Your health care professional inserts and removes the IUD	Yes	No
Vaginal Ring	99% effective	There is only 1 vaginal ring	Each month, the vaginal ring is inserted into the vagina and left in place for 3 weeks. During week 4, you do not wear the ring	There are no interruptions with this method	Once stopped, it may take a few cycles before you can become pregnant	You need to learn how to insert and remove the ring	Yes	No

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Non-hormonal contraceptives prevent pregnancy by providing a barrier against sperm, or by interfering with sperm movement, or by creating an "unfriendly" environment for sperm. These methods do not use hormones, so they do not interfere with your natural reproductive cycle.

NON-HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES	HOW EFFECTIVE IS THIS METHOD?	HOW MANY OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?	HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO USE IT?	ARE THERE INTERRUPTIONS WITH THIS METHOD?	HOW QUICKLY CAN I GET PREGNANT IF I STOP USING IT?	DO I NEED TO SEE MY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL TO START?	DO I NEED A PRESCRIPTION?	DOES THIS PROTECT AGAINST HIV &
Male Condom	97% effective	There are a variety of styles, sizes, colors, materials, and textures	A new one must be used every time you have sex	Must be applied while the penis is erect. May cause a slight interruption before sex	Without this device there is no protection against pregnancy	Tell your health care professional that you plan to use condoms	No	Yes
Female Condom	95% effective	There is 1 female condom currently available	A new one must be used every time you have sex	A female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex	Without this device there is no protection against pregnancy	Tell your health care professional that you plan to use a female condom	No	Unless the female condom slips out of place or is torn, it should provide protection against STD exposure
Intrauterine Device	99% effective	There is 1 copper-T IUD currently available	Once inserted in the uterus, it can be left in place for up to 10 years	There are no interruptions with this method	Once removed, fertility can return within about 1 month	Your health care professional inserts and removes the IUD	Yes	No
Spermicides	94% effective -- use with a vaginal barrier increases effectiveness	There are a variety of spermicides available in foams, jellies, creams, and vaginal suppositories	Must be used every time you have sex	Must be inserted no more than 1 hour before sex	Without this device there is no protection against pregnancy	Tell you health care professional. You may be advised to use an additional contraceptive method	No	No
Diaphragm	94% effective	There are a variety of sizes available	Must be used every time you have sex (and fresh spermicide must be applied each time	The diaphragm can be inserted up to 6 to 8 hours before sex	Without this device, there is no protection against pregnancy	You need to be fitted and must learn how to use the diaphragm	Yes	Diaphragms do not protect against HIV(AIDS). There is a mild reduction in the risk of some STDs
Cervical Cap	84% effective in women who have had a child (91% in those who have not	There are a variety of sizes available	Must be used every time you have sex (and spermicides must be applied when inserted	The cervical cap provides continuous protection for up to 48 hours	Without this device, there is no protection against pregnancy	You need to be fitted and must learn how to use the cervical cap	Yes	No
Surgical Sterilization	Greater than 99% effective	For women, there is a tubal ligation (having your tubes "tied"); for men there is a vasectomy	These procedures are permanent and irreversible	There are no interruptions with this method	You will no longer be able to get pregnant	These surgical procedures are performed by a health care professional	Physician recommended	No

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