Birth Control 101
Read our breakdown on ways to keep babies at bay.
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No Babies Allowed - Been using the same birth control method for years and wondering if there are better options? Don't worry, we have you covered with this breakdown on ways to keep babies at bay. And you can use the tools at Bedsider.org to compare them all. Note that with the exception of the condom, none of these birth control methods will protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STI). So if you’re not having sex in a 100 percent monogamous relationship with someone who has tested negative for everything under the sun, use condoms, too. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Dann Tardif/LWA/Corbis)
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Condom - Condoms are one of the most popular birth control methods out there. They are typically inexpensive and require little planning, and as the ultimate barrier method, they also protect you from STI better than anything short of abstinence. There are female and male versions, made of everything from latex to lambskin. Effectiveness: 98% when used perfectly (Photo: Mac99/Getty Images)
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The Pill - There are many different types of this oral contraceptive, but they all pretty much work the same way: Through various combinations of hormones, they prevent your body from releasing an egg each month. No egg means no fertilization. They can also thicken your cervical mucus, which acts as a second front to lock out his swimmers. It is most effective when taken at the same time every day, so if you have trouble with consistency, this might not be the right method for you. Effectiveness: 99%+ when used perfectly (Photo by: BSIP/UIG via Getty Images)
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The Shot - The Depo-Provera progestin shot prevents you from ovulating for three months at a time, so there will be no egg to fertilize when you do the do. It’s good for those who can never remember to take the Pill, but the trade off is that you have to visit your doctor for a shot four times a year. It can also cause irregular periods, and it’s common to gain five pounds the first year on the shot. Effectiveness: 99%+ when used perfectly (Photo: art-4-art/GettyImages)
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The Ring - Sold under the name NuvaRing, you insert this flexible circle once a month (and take it out for your period). It works by releasing hormones that thicken your mucus and keep your eggs in your ovaries for the month. It uses a lower dose of hormones that other hormonal methods, but requires the equivalent of master tampon-inserting skills, so be prepared. It can also cause some breakthrough bleeding between cycles and breast tenderness, but those symptoms usually go away after the first three months and give way to shorter, lighter periods. Effectiveness: 99%+ when used perfectly (Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
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The Patch - Slap on the Ortho-Evra patch and you won’t ovulate for the week. On the downside, depending on where you put it, it broadcasts that you’re on birth control — especially since the color isn’t exactly brown-skin friendly. And if you weigh 198 pounds or more, it will not be as effective for you. Effectiveness: 99%+ when used perfectly (Photo: Getty Images)
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Implant - Your doctor inserts this tiny matchstick-sized rod — sold as Implanon and Nexplanon — under the skin of your upper arm to prevent pregnancy for three years. It prevents ovulation, and the most common side effect is irregular bleeding, which could mean anything from spotting to skipped periods to heavy periods. That said, they typically clear up after the first six to 12 months of use, and most women eventually experience lighter periods. Effectiveness: 99%+ when used perfectly (Photo: Corbis)
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IUD - The T-shaped Intrauterine Device is inserted into your uterus by a doctor; it is typically recommended for women who have already birthed children. Once it’s in there, it prevents sperm from reaching your eggs by jacking up how they move around. Mirena is made of plastic, and it secretes progestin to keep swimmers out; it can stay inserted for up to five years and often gifts you with lighter periods. The hormone-free Paragard uses copper to do the same job, and can be left inside for up to 12 years. The brand new Skyla is smaller than the other two — which makes it a good fit for women who have not had kids — and works the same way Mirena does. It works for up to three years. IUDs are good for long-term contraception, and can be removed by your doctor at any time. Your fertility starts right up where it left off when an IUD is taken out. Your only job is to check for the st...
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Diaphragm - This tiny dome-shaped cup is made of latex or silicone, and you squirt spermicide into it, then insert it into your vagina. It works by covering your cervix to physically block semen. One of the best things about it is that you can insert it well ahead of when you expect to have sex, so you don’t have to stop to put it in. And it’s non-hormonal if you’re not into those. You have to visit the doctor to be fit for the correct size, then pick it up at a pharmacy. You must leave it in for six hours after sex, but you can leave it in for up to 24 hours before it needs to come out, which means you can go as many times as you like. It’s not an option if you’re allergic to spermicide, and some women experience frequent UTIs when they use it. Effectiveness: 94% when used perfectly (Photo: Visuals Unlimited/Corbis)
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FemCap - The cervical cap, called the FemCap, is just like the diaphragm, but it is always made of silicone and can be left in for up to 48 hours. It also requires spermicide to be effective. It is less effective if you have given birth vaginally. Effectiveness: 92% when used perfectly (Photo: Peter Andrews/Corbis)