Contraceptives
Oral Contraceptives:
This is a series of pills that a woman takes once each day for a month. At the end of the month, a new package of pills is started. The pills have hormones (estrogen and progestin) that are similar to those a woman makes to control her menstrual cycle. They work by keeping the ovaries from releasing eggs, and they change the lining of the uterus and the mucus of the cervix.
Depo-Provera:
Depo is a method of birth control given in the form of a shot. The shot is effective for up to 12 weeks. It contains only the progestin hormone and not any estrogen (so there are no side effects from that hormone). It works by keeping the ovaries from releasing eggs, changing the lining of the uterus and the mucus of the cervix.
Contraceptive Patch:
A method of birth control that is a small, thin, smooth patch containing estrogen and progestin that is put on a woman's skin. A woman can choose where she wears the patch: the buttocks, the shoulder, and the front or back of the upper arm, but it should never be placed on the breasts. It releases hormones every day so the woman's ovaries don't produce eggs, and it changes the lining of the uterus and the mucus of the cervix. The patch is worn for a week and replaced every week for three weeks. No patch is worn the fourth week, but it is still effective. Women can swim, bathe, shower and wear it in warm humid weather.
Contraceptive Ring:
This method of birth control is in the form of a soft ring that fits inside the vagina. It releases low-dose hormones (estrogen and progestin) everyday so the woman's ovaries don't produce eggs, and it changes the lining of the uterus and the mucus of the cervix. It stays in the vagina for three weeks and provides protection for one month; the exact position in the vagina is not important.
Intrauterine Device (IUD):
An IUD is a small device made of plastic. One device contains copper and the other contains progestin. This device is placed into the uterus by a trained clinician. The progestin device can stay in the uterus for 5-7 years; copper IUDs may be left in place 10-12 years. IUDs prevent a woman's egg from being fertilized by the man's sperm, and change the lining of her uterus and the mucus of the cervix.
Implanon:
Implanon is a small, thin, progestin only contraceptive rod that is placed under the top layer of skin in a woman’s inner, upper arm. This contraceptive method must be inserted and removed by a trained healthcare provider and is effective for three years.
Diaphragm/Cervical Cap:
A soft rubber barrier in a woman's vagina or placed on the cervix, used with a contraceptive cream or jelly. The diaphragm or cervical cap is put into a woman's vagina before intercourse. It covers the entrance to her uterus, and the cream or jelly kills or stops the man's sperm from getting into the uterus. The diaphragm can be put in the vagina 6 hours ahead of intercourse, and left in or 24 hours. The cervical cap can be left in her vagina for up to 48 hours.
Male Condom:
It is a sheath that a man wears over his penis during intercourse. The condom catches the semen (and sperm) that comes out of a man's penis before, during and after he ejaculates. This keeps his sperm from getting into the woman's vagina, and traveling into the uterus. Latex condoms can also help protect against some infections, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Female Condom:
It is a loose-fitting sheath that fits inside the woman's vagina. It catches the semen (and sperm) that comes out of a man's penis when he ejaculates. It covers the cervix, the opening to the uterus, so sperm can't get through. It can also protect against some infections including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Fertility Awareness:
A method of family planning to help determine the “fertile window” or when in a woman’s monthly cycle, she is likely to get pregnant if she has intercourse. This involves a woman tracking her monthly cycles to understand when she is most likely to release an egg. Couples must avoid intercourse or use a barrier method during these possible fertile times to avoid a possible pregnancy.
Sterilization:
This is a surgical procedure and is intended to be a permanent method of birth control. There is no guarantee that it can be reversed.
Tubal Ligation:
This surgical procedure blocks the fallopian tubes of a woman and prevents the meeting of the egg and sperm.
Vasectomy:
This surgical procedure cuts and blocks the tubes that carry sperm from inside a man's body through the penis and out. It does not affect sexual function or ejaculation, but no sperm are present in the man’s semen. It is not effective immediately, so another method of contraception must be used until a semen analysis confirms the absence of sperm.
