Birth Control Pill (OCP)
Birth control pills are hormonal pills that need to be taken daily. You'll get them in a pack of 30, and you need to take 1 pill every day at the same time every day to ensure maximum efficiency.
There are two types of birth control pills:
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The birth control pill uses hormones to stop sperm from combining with the egg, preventing fertilization.
The hormones in the pill work to safely stop ovulation, which is when a new egg is released each menstrual cycle. No ovulation = no egg for sperm to fertilize, preventing pregnancy. The pill also thickens up mucus on the cervix. When cervical mucus is thicker, sperm can’t swim up to the egg, so there's double security! The pill can help with regulating your periods and controlling endometrial pain.
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Learn about the other surprising benefits of birth control pill.
Combined pill (most standard)
The combined pill uses both estrogen and
progestin
Progestin-only pill
The progestin-only pill only uses progestin. This option is sometimes used to lower risks of breast cancer.
91% effective
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
IUDs are tiny T-shaped devices that are inserted into your uterus in order to prevent pregnancy. It’s reversible, can last up to 3-12 years (depending on which type of IUD you get), and is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy.
There are two types of IUDs:
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The copper IUD prevents pregnancy by altering your cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg. It can also stop an already fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine lining, halting pregnancy.
The hormonal IUD works a little similarly to the pill work by working to stop ovulation. No ovulation = no egg for sperm to fertilize. Hormonal IUDs also thicken cervical mucus so sperm can’t swim up to the egg.
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Learn about the other surprising benefits of IUDs.
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Appointments for IUDs are rather quick and usually take less than an hour, with the insertion process itself only taking a few minutes. Because the IUD is folded and passed through your cervix, you might experience light bleeding and period-like pain after the procedure. Most of the time, rest and some painkillers are all it takes to alleviate any discomfort!
Copper IUD (Paraguard)
copper IUDs don't use hormones and are wrapped in a tiny coil of copper. These are very long lasting
Hormonal IUD
hormonal IUDs use the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. these tend to work anywhere from 3-7 years.
99% effective
Contraceptive Implant
The contraceptive implant, also known as Nexplanon, is a small, flexible plastic rod the side of a matchstick that is inserted under the skin of your upper arm by a physician. Once placed, the implant releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream, preventing pregnancy anywhere from 3-5 years!
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The implant is very popular amongst women who want a form of contraception that doesn't contain estrogen.
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The progestogen in the implant prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation. No ovulation = no egg for sperm to fertilize. It also thickens your cervical mucus so sperm can’t swim up to the egg and thins the lining of your uterus so a fertilized egg will have a hard time implanting.
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The implant may cause your periods to get longer, or may cause you to have light bleeding for a long period of time i.e. spotting. Usually, though, the implant will make your periods much lighter, or even cause them to stop for the duration that you're using the implant.
The procedure for receiving a contraceptive implant is very quick. A local anesthetic is applied to your inner upper arm to numb the area, then the implant will be injected under your skin. The total procedure only takes a few minutes and you won't even need stitches!
99% effective
External Condoms
Condoms are thin, elastic pouches made either from latex (rubber), plastic (polyurethane or polyisoprene), or lambskin that are worn on your penis during sex.
Condoms not only work to prevent pregnancy by preventing semen from coming into contact with the vagina, but are one of the few forms of birth control that protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)! However, lambskin condoms will not protect you against STDs, only latex and plastic condoms will.
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In order to prevent STDs to the fullest extent, use condoms every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Also, never use oil-based products like lotion, vaseline, or oil-based lubricants while using condoms, since the oil will break down the condom and make it ineffective! Opt for water-based lubricants, instead.
Also, latex or plastic condoms can be cut down the side, rolled out into a rectangle, and used to cover the vulva during oral sex to prevent STDs!
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Condoms can be purchased at most pharmacies, grocery stores, and gas stations!
85% effective
Internal Condoms
Internal condoms, sometimes called“female” condoms are thin, plastic pouches placed inside your vagina to prevent pregnancy or in the vagina/anus to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Internal condoms prevent sperm from coming in contact with the vagina.
Internal condoms are slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy than some other options, but in order to ensure maximum protection, make sure you're using internal condoms correctly.
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79% effective
Even if you do everything right, sometimes accidents can happen. If after use, any semen may have came into contact with your vulva/anus, you might want to consider emergency contraception or an STD test!
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Contraceptive Patch
The contraceptive patch is worn on certain parts of your body and releases the hormones estrogen and progestin through your skin to prevent pregnancy. The brand of contraceptive patch you will find in the US is called Xulane.
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The birth control patch is worn either on your abdomen, upper arm, back, or butt.
The contraceptive patch releases estrogen and progestin through your skin, stopping ovulation. No ovulation = no egg for sperm to fertilize. It also thickens your cervical mucus so sperm can’t swim up to the egg.
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The patch needs to be replaced weekly in order to be as effective as possible. Make sure you set reminders to refill your prescription and always change your patch on time! Each pack of contraceptive patches comes with 3 patches to last one month. One patch is used every week for 3 weeks, and the last week you will skip the patch and get your period . If you want to skip your period, you should start your next pack of patches on the fourth week instead of skipping.
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91% effective
Vaginal Ring
91% effective
Vaginal rings are small, soft, plastic rings that are placed inside your vagina to prevent pregnancy. They release the hormones estrogen and progestogen into the bloodstream.
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There are two forms of vaginal rings:
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Both forms of the vaginal ring release estrogen and progestogen, which are absorbed by the vaginal lining. These hormones stop pregnancy by preventing ovulation. No ovulation = no egg for sperm to fertilize. They also thicken cervical mucus so sperm can’t swim up to the egg.
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Taking care of your rings are very important. Keep your unused NuvaRings in a cool place and away from direct sunlight or high heat to avoid ruining the hormones inside. If you are using Annovera, make sure you wash it with mild, unscented soap and water before inserting. avoid oil-based lubricants and lotions.
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Annovera
Lasts for 1 year, or 13 menstrual cycles. Needs to be work for 21 days, then taken out for 7 days.
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Birth Control Injection
The birth control injection (Depo-Provera) works as simply as it sounds! Also known as the Depo-shot, the birth control injection is a shot containing the hormone progestin that you get once every 3 months to prevent pregnancy.
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The hormone progestin stops pregnancy by preventing ovulation. No ovulation = no egg for sperm to fertilize. They also thicken cervical mucus so sperm can’t swim up to the egg.
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In order to maximize efficiency, make sure you're taking your next dose of Depo-Provera every 12-13 weeks.
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Also, it can take up to one full year for your fertility to return to normal after stopping Depo-Provera. This isn't a problem for most users unless they plan on getting pregnant.
94% effective
Diaphragm
Diaphragms are shallow, flexible cups made of silicone that you insert inside your vagina before having sex vagina.
A diaphragm works by covering your cervix during sex so that sperm cannot combine with an egg. Usually, diaphragms are paired with spermicide in order to most effectively prevent pregnancy. In addition to using spermicide, make sure you are wearing your diaphragm properly! Make sure to leave your diaphragm in for at least 6 hours after sex.
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After getting a prescription, you can buy a diaphragm at any pharmacy or health center. You will need to visit a nurse or doctor in order to find the right fit of diaphragm for your body. During your fitting, your physician will will fit you for your diaphragm and show you how to properly insert and remove it.
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88% effective
Spermicide
Spermicide comes in the form of gel, cream, or foam and is a chemical that stops sperm from combining with egg.
Spermicide contains chemicals slow down sperm to the point where they can't enter the uterus, but, it's usually not very effective by itself. Usually, condoms or diaphragms are used in combination with spermicide for the highest chance at preventing pregnancy.
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Spermicide doesn't need a prescription, and can be bought at most pharmacies and supermarkets in the family planning aisle!
72% effective (when used alone)
Pulling Out
The withdrawal, or "pulling out," method is a way of preventing pregnancy by preventing semen from coming in contact with the vagina. Needless to say, there's a lot of room for accidents. Even if no semen enters the vagina, pre-ejaculate, which contains sperm, can still be left behind and lead to pregnancy. The pull-out method works best when used in combination with another form of birth control, like the pill or a condom.
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78% effective
Emergency Contraception (Plan B)
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Since it takes a few days to get pregnant after sexual intercourse, emergency contraception is effective at stopping pregnancy from happening even after sex.
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The most popular form of emergency contraception is the "morning-after" pill (levonorgestrel), which needs to be taken within three days of having unprotected sex. The sooner you take the pill, the more effective it will be at preventing pregnancy.
The morning-after pill has many names. The most recognizable is Plan B OneStep. Some other names for the pill are Take Action, My Way, Option 2, Preventeza, AfterPill, My Choice, Aftera, and EContrais. Note that the morning-after pill is not an abortion pill, it does not terminate pregnancy, instead it prevents it from ever happening.
Ievonorgestrel pills can be bought at most drugstores and supermarkets in the family planning aisle!
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Note: if you are above 155 lbs, Ievonorgestrel pills might not work