Birth Control Methods

Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood

Information comes from Contraceptive Technology, 18th revised edition, 2004Cost estimates are based on out of pocket pay- no insurance coverage.

Abstinence• How to Get it: Choose not to have intercourse.• % Effective: 100 if used every time• How it Works: No sex means sperm cannot reach

the egg.• Advantages: STI protection. No side effects.

Avoid emotional risks of sexual activity. Can be used any time.

• Disadvantages: Can be difficult to practice. Requires a strong commitment and self control. May be more difficult within a romantic

relationship.• Cost: Free.

Withdrawal• How to Get it: Choose to practice it.• % Effective: Depends on man’s ability to withdraw

prior to ejaculation. Typical: 73• How it Works: Male removes penis (“pulls out”) from

the vagina before ejaculation. Prevents contact between the sperm and egg.

• Advantages: Better than using no method at all. • Disadvantages: No STI protection. Pre-ejaculate fluid

may contain sperm. Male may not be able to “pull out” in time. Sperm that get on the outside of the vagina can still get in to fertilize an egg.

• Cost: Free.

Fertility Awareness Method

• How to Get it: Choose to practice it.• % Effective: Varies widely depending on which

method(s) are used- 40-98%. • How it Works: Predict ovulation by charting

menstrual cycle, taking body temperature, checking cervical

mucous or a combination. Abstain or use a reliable form of birth control 7

days before and 3 days after ovulation.• Advantages: No side effects. Appropriate for

couples who cannot or do not want to use other contraceptive methods.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. Takes time and effort. Less effective for women with irregular cycles. Other factors may effect temperature & mucous changes. May be difficult to abstain during fertile days.

• Cost: Cost of materials.

This chart allows women to track multiple factors that indicate fertility including waking body temperature, cervical mucous, and menstrual symptoms.

Chart is From “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” by Toni Weschler, MPH

Birth Control Pills• How to Get it: Requires a prescription.• % Effective: Typical: 92 Perfect: 99.7• How it Works: Hormones in the pills, estrogen and

progestin (combined) or progestin-only, stop the ovaries from releasing eggs.

• Advantages: Shorter, more regular periods. Less cramping. Some pills reduce acne. Decreased risk for ovarian and uterine cancer.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. Must be taken at about the same time every day. Side effects may

include nausea, headaches, spotting between periods, breast tenderness, weight gain or loss. Increased risk of heart attack or stroke especially for

smokers.• Cost: Approximately $30 a month

• How to Get it: Requires a prescription. • % Effective: Typical: 92 Perfect: 99.7 • How it Works: Hormones similar to those in the pill

are release from the patch and absorbed through the skin. The hormones prevent ovulation.

• Advantages: Do not have to remember a pill everyday yet receive similar advantages as the pill.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. May experience side effects similar to those of the pill. May cause skin irritation where the patch is worn. Not effective for women weighing more than 200 lbs.

• Cost: About $40.00 a month.

Ortho Evra Patch

NuvaRing

• How to Get it: Requires a prescription. • % Effective: Typical: 92 Perfect: 99.7 • How it Works: Hormones similar to those in the pill are

released from the ring and absorbed through the vaginal wall. The hormones prevent ovulation.

• Advantages: Do not have to remember a pill everyday yet receive similar advantages to the pill. Lowest hormonal dosage.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. May experience side effects similar to those of the pill.

• Cost: Approximately $40 a month.

Depo Provera• How to Get it: Must visit a doctor or clinic.

• % Effective: Typical: 97 Perfect: 99.7

• How it Works: 3 month progestin-only injection prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucous (harder for sperm to get into uterus).

• Advantages: Highly effective. Lasts 12 weeks. Many females stop having periods.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. Tends to cause more side effects than other hormonal methods. May take 9-10 months or longer from last injection to become pregnant.

• Cost: Approximately $90.00 per injection.

Emergency Contraceptive Pills(Morning After Pill)

• How to Get it: Through medical providers or select pharmacies- no prescription needed. Hotline- 1-888-NOT-2-LATE.

• % Effective: If used within 3 days, reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75%

• How it Works: The hormones in ECPs are similar to those in birth control pills. They prevent ovulation, fertilization and implantation.

• Advantages: Can be taken after unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. Certain forms may cause severe nausea/vomiting. Does not work if already pregnant. For emergencies only- not intended as a regular

method of birth control.

• Cost: $30-55

Latex Condoms• How to Get it: Can buy in grocery/drug stores. Free

at Planned Parenthood and Department of Health.

• % Effective: Typical use: 85 Perfect use: 98

• How it Works: Prevents sperm from getting inside vagina (physical barrier).

• Advantages: STI protection, no hormonal side effects, very inexpensive and accessible. Allows male to take responsibility for birth control.

• Disadvantages: Must be used correctly every time. Some have allergies to latex.

• Cost: Less than $1 each.

Non-Latex Condoms• How to Get it: Can buy in grocery/drug stores. • % Effective: Animal Membrane: Some protection

against pregnancy. No protection against STIs.

Polyurethane: Believed to have similar protection against pregnancy

and STIs as latex condoms.• How it Works: Prevents sperm from getting inside vagina

(physical barrier).• Advantages: Alternative for those with latex allergies. No

hormonal side effects. Allows male to take responsibility for birth control.

• Disadvantages: Must be used correctly every time. More expensive than latex condoms.

• Cost: $1-$2.50 each.

Female Condom• How to Get it: Can buy in grocery/drug stores. • % Effective: Typical: 79 Perfect: 95• How it Works: Prevents sperm from getting inside

the uterus by lining the inside of the vagina (physical barrier).

• Advantages: Provides some STI protection. No hormonal side effects.

• Disadvantages: Must be used correctly every time. Has a tendency to slip out of place.

• Cost: approximately $2.50 each.

Spermicides• How to Get it: Can buy in grocery/drug stores. Free at

some clinics. • % Effective: Typical use: 71 Perfect use: 82• How it Works: Creates a chemical barrier. Kills sperm.• Advantages: Easy to use. Can act as lubrication.

Many different forms to choose from.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. Must be inserted before intercourse. May

need to be reapplied. Can be messy. Some people are allergic.

• Cost: $12.00 (multiple applications)

Diaphragm • How to Get it: Must be fitted by a doctor. • % Effective: Typical: 84 Perfect: 94• How it Works: Blocks sperm from getting through

cervix. Spermicide kills sperm.• Advantages: No hormonal side effects. • Disadvantages: No STI protection. Must be inserted

before intercourse. Must be left in 6 hours after intercourse. May be difficult for some to use (must be comfortable inserting and removing it.).

• Cost:Up to $150.00 including visit and spermicide.

Tubal Ligation• How to Get it: Surgery in a hospital or clinic.• % Effective: 99.5• How it Works: Fallopian tubes are cut and closed so

eggs cannot reach the uterus and sperm cannot reach eggs.

• Advantages: Permanent. Most insurance will cover surgery.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. Permanent- very difficult and expensive to reverse, not always successful. Possibility of infection. Some discomfort.

• Cost: $2,500

Vasectomy• How to Get it: Surgery in a clinic.• % Effective: 99.85• How it Works: Vas Deferens are cut and closed , so

sperm is no longer part of the ejaculate.

• Advantages: Permanent. Most insurance will cover surgery.

• Disadvantages: No STI protection. Permanent- very difficult and expensive to reverse, not always successful. Possibility of

infection. Some discomfort.

• Cost: $755.00

Intra Uterine Device (IUD)

• How to Get it: Must be inserted in a clinic.• % Effective: Typical: 99.2 Perfect: 99.4• How it Works: Chemical or hormone makes uterus

inhospitable to sperm and egg. Prevents implantation.

• Advantages: Long-term- 5 years for Mirena, 12 years for Paragard. Easily

reversible.

• Disadvantages: Increased risk for STIs for those with multiple partners. Can cause increased cramping, longer/heavier periods. Bleeding between periods. Possibility for IUD to move out of place or puncture the wall of the uterus (rare).

• Cost: Insertion: $600.00 removal: $70.00 ($4.20/mo.- 12 years, $10/mo.- 5 years)