• Combination birth control pills, which combine the hormones estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation.
• Progestin only birth control pills, also called the "mini-pill."
• Implants -- small rods implanted surgically beneath the skin, which release a continuous dose of progestin to prevent ovulation.
• Progestin injections, such as Depo-Provera, are given into the muscles of the upper arm or buttocks once every 3 months. This injection prevents ovulation.
• The skin patch (Ortho Evra) is placed on your shoulder, buttocks, or other convenient location. It continually releases progestin and estrogen. Like other hormone methods, a prescription is required.
• The vaginal ring (NuvaRing) is a flexible ring about 2 inches wide that is placed into the vagina. It releases the hormones progestin and estrogen.
• Emergency (or "morning after") contraception. See: Emergency contraception

IUD

• The IUD is a small plastic or copper device placed inside the woman's uterus by her health care provider. Some IUDs release small amounts of progestin. IUDs may be left in place for 5 - 10 years, depending on the device used.
• IUDs can be placed at almost any time.
• IUDs are safe and work well. Fewer than 1 out of 100 women per year will get pregnant using an IUD.
• Risks and complications include cramps, bleeding (sometimes severe), and perforation of the uterus.
• The progestin IUD often causes irregular spotting for the first several months. In about 50% of women, the periods may stop completely by the end of the first year. This effect goes away when the device is removed.

PERMANENT METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

These methods are best for men, women, and couples who believe they never wish to have children in the future. While viewed as a permanent method, these operations can sometimes be reversed if a man or woman later chooses to become pregnant.

See also:

• Tubal ligation
• Vasectomy

UNRELIABLE METHODS

• Coitus interruptus is the withdrawal of the penis from the vagina before ejaculation. Some semen frequently escapes before full withdrawal and before ejaculation, which is enough to cause a pregnancy.
• Douching shortly after sex is ineffective because sperm can make their way past the cervix within 90 seconds after ejaculation.
• Breastfeeding. Despite the myths, women who are breastfeeding can become pregnant.

CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:

• You would like further information about birth control options
• You want to start using a specific method of birth control that requires a prescription or needs to be inserted by a health care provider
• You have had unprotected intercourse or method failure (for example, a broken condom) within the past 72 hours, and you do not want to become pregnant

Images

The diaphragm

Intrauterine device

The male condom

Tubal ligation

Side sectional view of female reproductive system

Before and after vasectomy

Vaginal ring

Cervical cap

Hormone-based contraceptives

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Review Date: 03/30/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)