Changing the lining of your uterus so an egg can’t implant
How do I choose a type of birth control?
It’s a personal decision, but your healthcare provider can help you. Think about these factors:
- Ease of use
- Effectiveness at preventing pregnancy (with correct use)
- Protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Side effects or risks
- Plans for children
- How often you have sex
- Your age and overall health
- Privacy (if you want to keep it a secret)
- Other benefits, like lighter periods or less cramping
What are the main types of birth control?
The main birth control methods are:
- Barrier methods: These stop sperm from reaching an egg. You use them each time you have sex. Some also help protect against STIs.
- Hormonal medication and devices: These use hormones to prevent ovulation or make it hard for sperm to reach an egg.
- Intrauterine and implantable devices: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants are long-acting birth control methods. They work for years without daily effort. They’re reversible.
- Sterilization: These methods involve surgery to prevent pregnancy. There are male and female sterilization methods. These are not meant to be reversible.
- Fertility awareness: Fertility awareness is a natural way to prevent pregnancy. It’s also called natural family planning.
- Withdrawal: This is sometimes called pulling out. It’s when a penis “pulls out” of a vagina before ejaculation.
- Emergency contraception: This is usually called the morning-after pill. You may use this type if your typical birth control method fails.
- Abstinence: This is not having sex at all to prevent pregnancy.
Talk to your partner and/or healthcare provider before you choose a method. Birth control is only effective if you use it the right way. No method is perfect. In most cases, you can change which type you use if you don’t like it.
Barrier methods
Barrier methods are better for protecting against STIs. But they’re usually easier to misuse. Examples of barrier methods are:
- Condoms: A condom is a latex sleeve you roll over an erect penis. It blocks sperm from entering the vagina. Condoms can break, rip and slip off. They’re about 85% effective when used correctly.
- Spermicide: This is a gel, cream or foam you put inside your vagina at least 15 to 30 minutes before sex. It contains chemicals that stop sperm from moving. People usually use it to make a barrier method more effective.
- Vaginal diaphragm: This is a small, flexible cup that you insert into your vagina before sex and remove afterward. You need a provider to fit it. It’s about 87% effective, and up to 94% effective when used with spermicide.
- Cervical cap: This is a thimble-shaped cup that fits over your cervix. A provider must fit you for one. It’s about 78% effective. But it can be 85% effective if you use it with spermicide.
- Internal condom: This type works like a regular external condom but goes inside the vagina. It’s about 80% effective.
- Sponge: A sponge is a small, donut-shaped device that contains spermicide. It’s between 76% and 91% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Hormonal medications and devices
These birth control methods use hormones to prevent pregnancy. They’re between 91% and 99% effective. Examples are:
- Birth control pills: Pills use hormones to prevent pregnancy. Most contain estrogen and progestin. Some only contain progestin (the minipill).
- Birth control shot: This is an injectable form of birth control. It’s a shot of progestin that you get every three months.
- Vaginal ring: This is a small, flexible ring that you insert into your vagina. It releases hormones to stop ovulation. You keep it in place for three weeks and remove it for one week.
- Birth control patch: This is a type of birth control that sticks to your skin. You wear it for three weeks and remove it for one week.
Intrauterine and implantable devices
These forms of birth control are typically most effective. This is mainly because they don’t require you to remember to use them. They’re considered long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Examples are:
- Birth control implant: This is a small, flexible rod that your provider places under the skin of your arm. It works for about three years.
- IUDs: An IUD is a small, flexible, T-shaped device that your provider puts in your uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUDs: copper and progestin. They last between three and 12 years depending on the type.