Birth Control Quick Facts

Thinking of starting a birth control method? Ask yourself these questions:

  • How often do I engage in sexual activity with a partner?
  • How many partners do I have or plan to have?
  • Does the method protect me from sexually transmitted infections, including HIV?
  • How responsible am I with interrupting my sexual activity in order to use a form of birth control?
  • How comfortable am I touching my own body in order to properly use insertable methods like the diaphragm, female condom, etc.?
  • Can I communicate openly with my partner to select a method that works for us both?

Facts to Remember:

  • A woman can get pregnant while menstruating or anytime during the month.
  • Pre-ejaculatory fluid, a lubricant found on the tip of the man's penis during an erection, contains sperm which can cause pregnancy during sexual activity.
  • A woman can get pregnant the very first time she has vaginal intercourse, and in any sexual position.
  • Even the most responsible person who uses birth control consistently and correctly must understand that there is always the risk of pregnancy.

Methods of Birth Control:
Listed below are some of the most popular and common methods of birth control available.
We hope this information can help you decide which method is best for you.
For more information about all forms of FDA approved birth control,
contact Planned Parenthood at 800-230-PLAN or write to ppscny@ppfa.org.

Abstinence | Condoms | Depo Provera (The Shot) | Diaphragm, Cap or Shield | IUD | NuvaRing
The Patch (Ortho Evra) | The Pill | Spermicide

Abstinence

How it works: Choosing not to have any sex play with a partner.

Effectiveness: 100% (if used correctly)

Advantages:

  1. Prevents sexually transmitted diseases.
  2. No medical or hormonal side effects.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. May not be a realistic choice for many people.

Condoms (male and female)

How it works: Condoms collect semen and prevent sperm from entering the vagina. The male condom is rolled onto the erect penis. The female condom fits into the back wall of the vagina and covers the inside vaginal walls and outer vulva area. Condoms may be used with spermicides to increase effectiveness.  

Effectiveness: Male condom 85 - 98%, Female condom 79 - 95%

Advantages:

  1. Easy to obtain.
  2. Allows men to share responsibility.
  3. Latex and polyurethane condoms can help prevent STDs.
  4. Can be combined with other methods to increase effectiveness.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. Cannot be used with oil-based lubricants.
  2. Some people are allergic to latex or spermicides.
  3. Male condoms may break or fall off if not used correctly.

Depo Provera

How it works: Your clinician will give you a shot of hormone progestin into the body every 12 weeks.  It will prevent ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.

Effectiveness: 99 - 99.7%

Advantages:

  1. Prevents pregnancy for 12 weeks.
  2. No additional action needed each day or with each act of intercourse.
  3. Contains no estrogen - can be used while breast feeding.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. Irregular bleeding patterns.
  2. Must receive injection every 12 weeks.
  3. Ask clinician about risk of bone thinning.

Diaphragm, Cap or Shield

How it works: Your clinician will prescribe a shallow latex cup (diaphragm), a silicone cup (FemCap) or a silicone cup with an air valve (shield). These are filled with spermicide and placed inside the vagina and around the cervix to forms a barrier between the egg and sperm.

Effectiveness: Diaphragm: 84 - 94%; Cap: 71 - 86%, Shield: 85%

Advantages:

  1. No major health concerns.
  2. Contains no estrogen - can be used while breastfeeding.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. Can be messy and difficult for some women to use. May cause some discomfort.
  2. Some women may be allergic to latex, silicone or spermicide.
  3. Should not be used during vaginal bleeding or infection.
  4. Diaphragm has increased risk of bladder infection.
  5. Diaphragm can only be left in place for up to 24 hours. Cap and shield can only be left in place for up to 48 hours.

IUD (Intrauterine Device)

How it works: A trained clinician inserts a small device made of plastic that may contain copper or hormones into the uterus.  IUD's may prevent fertilization or implantation of the egg, by affecting the lining of the uterus, or simply as a foreign object in the uterus.

Effectiveness: 99.2 - 99.2% (varies with type of IUD)

Advantages:

  1. Can be left in place for many years.
  2. No additional action is needed each day or with each act of intercourse.
  3. Contains no estrogen - can be used while breastfeeding.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. Risk of cramping, bleeding between periods, or heavier periods.
  2. Not recommended for women with multiple partners and/or who have not had children.

NuvaRing

How it works: A soft, transparent vaginal ring made of acetate which releases hormones. A new NuvaRing is placed in the vagina each month. It is left in place for three weeks. It inhibits ovulation and is highly effective at preventing pregnancy.

Effectiveness: 99.7%

Advantages:

  1. Nothing to do right before sex to prevent pregnancy.
  2. Protects against pregnancy for one month.
  3. Does not require fitting by a clinician.
  4. Able to become pregnancy quickly when use is stopped.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. Vaginal discomfort.
  2. Increased vaginal discharge.
  3. Rare but serious health risks including blood clots, heart attack and stroke, especially for women over 35 who smoke.

The Patch (Ortho Evra)

How it works: A fresh patch is applied to the skin once a week for three weeks. The hormones in the patch work by preventing a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulating).

Effectiveness: 95 - 99%

Advantages:

  1. Protects against pregnancy for one month.
  2. No pill to take daily.
  3. Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use is stopped.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. Skin reaction at site of application.
  2. May not be as effective for women who weigh more than 198 pounds.
  3. Rare but serious health risks including blood clots, heart attack and stroke, especially for women over 35 who smoke.

The Pill

How it works: A reversible prescription method consisting of a monthly series of pills, which are taken at the same time each day. The pills contain hormones that control the menstrual cycle and prevent ovulation (release of the egg).

Effectiveness: 92 - 99.7% (varies with type of pill)

Advantages:

  1. Regulates periods with less menstrual flow, less cramping.
  2. Some believe it provides protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. Must be taken daily.
  2. Rare but serious health risks including blood clots, heart attack and stroke, especially for women over 35 who smoke.

Spermicide

How it works: Chemical barrier methods of birth control including foams, creams, jellies, vaginal film and suppository capsules.

Effectiveness: 71 - 82%

Advantages:

  1. Obtainable over-the-counter. No hormonal effects.
  2. Increased effectiveness against pregnancy when used with a condom.

Disadvantages / Side Effects:

  1. Only effective one hour or less.
  2. Must use additional spermicide for each act of intercourse.
  3. May irritate tissue and increase risk of STD's.

Call the Planned Parenthood nearest you
for more information or an appointment

  • BINGHAMTON
 117 Hawley Street (607) 723-8306
  • LISLE
 Johnson Hill Road (607) 723-8306
  • NORWICH
 Eaton Center, #208 (607) 334-6378
  • ONEONTA
 37 Dietz Street (607) 432-2250
  • SIDNEY
 37 Pleasant Street (607) 563-4363
  • WALTON
 130 North Street (607) 865-6579

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