| Birth Control Pill |
Prescription drug containing female sex hormones; a woman takes one pill daily for 21 days; prevents ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and/or prevents the lining of the uterus from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant. |
95% |
• More regular periods, reduced cramping, and less severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as headache, fatigue, and irritability
• No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity
• Some protection against ovarian and endometrial cancer, noncancerous breast tumors, ovarian cysts |
• Not effective against transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Rare but dangerous complications, including blood clotting and hypertension, particularly in women over 35 years who smoke
• Must be taken daily |
| Cervical Cap |
Thimble-shaped latex cap inserted into a woman's vagina over cervix to prevent sperm from entering uterus; used with spermicide. |
80% in women who have not given birth; 60% in women who have given birth. |
• Reusable
• Can last for one to two years |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Needs to be fitted by a health-care professional
• Difficult to fit women with an unusual cervix size
• Difficult for some women to insert |
| Contraceptive Injection |
Hormonal injection given by a health-care professional in a woman's arm or buttock; prevents ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and/or prevents the lining of the uterus from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant. |
99% |
• No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity
• Effective for one to three months, depending on type used |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Requires regular visits to a health-care professional to administer the injection
• May cause irregular bleeding, weight gain, sore breasts, nausea, and acne |
| Contraceptive Patch |
Skin patch worn by a woman for 21 days on the buttocks, stomach, upper arm, or upper torso; releases low doses of female sex hormones; prevents ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and/or prevents the lining of the uterus from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant. |
95% to 99% |
• No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity
• Regular use may result in shorter, more regular menstrual periods, while also decreasing premenstrual cramping and menstrual-related iron deficiency and acne. |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Rare but dangerous complications, including blood clotting and hypertension, particularly in women over 35 years who smoke
• Some medications, including antibiotics and anti-seizure, tuberculosis, and migraine drugs, can interfere with effectiveness |
| Contraceptive Ring |
Flexible ring inserted in a woman's vagina for 21 days; releases low doses of female sex hormones; prevents ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg, and/or prevents the lining of the uterus from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant. |
95% to 99% |
• No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity
• Regular use may result in shorter, more regular menstrual periods, while also decreasing premenstrual cramping and menstrual-related iron deficiency and acne |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• May cause vaginal irritation and discharge
• May cause irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and mood change |
| Diaphragm |
Shallow rubber cup with flexible rim inserted into a woman's vagina over cervix to prevent sperm from entering uterus; used with spermicide. |
80% |
• Reusable
• Can last for one to two years |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Needs to be fitted by a health-care professional
• Must be inserted before each act of sexual intercourse |
| Emergency Contraception |
Methods used by a woman after unprotected intercourse to prevent fertilization of the egg or implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus. Two methods are available: emergency contraceptive pills or emergency insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD). |
• Emergency contraceptive pills: 79% to 85% if taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse
• IUD: 99% if inserted within 7 days of unprotected intercourse |
• Prevents pregnancy when primary birth control fails during sex (for instance, if condom breaks or diaphragm or cervical cap dislodges); one or more birth control pills are skipped; or a woman is forced to have unprotected vaginal intercourse against her will |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Needs to be prescribed by a health-care professional |
| Female Condom |
Polyurethane sac inserted into a woman's vagina over cervix to prevent sperm from entering uterus; may be used with a spermicide. |
79% |
• Reduces the risk of many STIs
• Available over-the-counter
• Inexpensive |
• Lessens sensation
• May break during intercourse |
| Fertility Awareness Methods |
Collection of techniques used by a woman, including checking body temperature or cervical mucus daily or recording menstrual cycles on a calendar, to determine the days when body is most fertile; abstinence or the use of a barrier method during this fertile period can prevent pregnancy. |
80% |
• No medical or hormonal side effects
• Inexpensive |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Requires commitment to consistently and accurately monitor fertility
• More than one fertility awareness method should be used to improve effectiveness |
| Hormonal Implant |
Six small capsules inserted by a health-care professional under the skin of a woman's upper arm; delivers small amounts of sex hormones to prevent ovaries from releasing egg. |
99.9% |
• Most effective form of birth control after continuous abstinence and sterilization surgery
• Protects against pregnancy for up to five years
• No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Possible scarring or, rarely, infection at insertion site
• May cause irregular bleeding, headache, nausea, depression |
| Intrauterine Device (IUD) |
Small device inserted by a health-care professional into a woman's uterus; prevents eggs from being fertilized and/or implanting in uterus. |
96% |
• Effective one to ten years, depending on type used
• No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• May cause spotting between periods, longer, heavier periods, and cramping
• Rare risk of uterine perforation or ectopic pregnancy |
| Male Condom |
Sheath of latex, polyurethane, or animal tissue placed on erect penis; may be used with a spermicide. |
86% |
• Reduces the risk of many STIs
• Available over-the-counter
• Inexpensive |
• Lessens sensation
• May break during intercourse |
| Spermicide |
Sperm-killing chemicals in the form of foams, creams, jellies, films, or suppositories that are inserted into a woman's vagina to block the cervix, preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg. |
74% |
• Available over the counter
• Can be used with other methods to improve effectiveness |
• Only partially effective against STI transmission
• Possible allergies or irritation |
| Tubal Sterilization |
Surgical procedure to permanently block a woman's fallopian tubes to prevent eggs from reaching sperm. |
99.9% |
• Permanently prevents pregnancy
• No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Reactions to surgery may include infection, bleeding, injury to intestine, reaction to anesthesia
• Increased chance of ectopic pregnancy
• Generally irreversible |
| Vasectomy |
Surgical procedure to permanently block a male's vas deferens (sperm duct) to prevent sperm from reaching eggs. |
99.9% |
• Permanently prevents pregnancy
• No action required prior to sexual intercourse, permits sexual spontaneity |
• Not effective against STI transmission
• Reactions to surgery may include infection, blood clot near testes, bruising, swelling, or tenderness of scrotum
• Generally irreversible |
Source: Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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