A way to prevent conception or fertilization of an egg and sperm which leads to a pregnancy

The pill is an oral (taken by mouth) type of birth control. It must be taken daily and is about 99% effective.

It makes periods less painful and shorter. It takes about a week to a month to become effective.

Pregnancy is prevented by fooling your body into thinking you are pregnant. As a result, the ovaries do not release eggs.

Disadvantages of the pill: - increases risk of blood clots, heart

attack and strokes especially in smokers.

- Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting and weight gain.

Prices per month will vary. Health department may give out for free

or what you can afford. Does NOT protect against stds or aids

A dome shaped latex cup which must be smeared with a spermicide. It is flexible and covers the cervix to block sperm ( a barrier method of birth control). Not used much in today’s society.

80% effective. It must be covered with a spermicide and put in place up to 6 hours before having sex. Must be left in place 6 hours after.

A diaphragm must be fitted by a gynecologist. It is good for about 1 year and then has to be replaced.

This is one of the few choices for women who cannot take hormones such as progestin and/or estrogen.

Woman must be comfortable inserting the diaphragm.

This is an injection of progestin which keeps the egg from being released.

It is 99.7% effective. If you get the shot within 5 days of

the onset of your menstrual cycle, it will become effective immediately.

Many women stop having periods after 3 or 4 injections.

It may protect against endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer and PID (pelvic inflammatory disease).

You must go to your doctor every 3 months for the shot.

It may cause weight gain, irregular periods and depression. There is no protection against stds or aids.

This was very popular in Europe. 6 tiny rods are inserted under the skin

of your upper arm. They prevent ovulation by releasing a

steady stream of the hormone progestin.

This is considered 99% effective. Protection is good for 5 years. Starts working within a few days of

insertion.

Periods may be irregular while on Norplant.

Headaches may be a side effect. Cost is about $600 . Rods may be removed if the woman

is trying to get pregnant.

A t-shaped plastic tube about 1 and ½ inches long. It is covered by copper wire or the hormone progesterone.

Your gynecologist inserts it through the vagina, cervix and into the uterus.

Copper IUDs can last for 8 years. Ones which contain progesterone need

to be replaced yearly

The IUD is controversial because it allows fertilization to occur. But is prevents the zygote from attaching itself to the uterine wall.

These devices were taken off the market in the 1960s since they were causing perforation of the uterus and bleeding. Women were still getting pregnant with the device in place. It is back on the market again. Cost was about $400

This is a combination hormonal birth control device. It is a plastic ring placed in the vagina near the cervix.

It releases hormones for a period of 3 weeks. After 3 weeks it is removed for one week and then a new one inserted.

The nuva ring should be put in the same day and time each month. Use back up birth control for a period of 7 days.

Nuva ring is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

In smokers, blood clots, heart attacks and strokes are possible especially for women over 35.

Most common side effects include vaginal infections, nausea, weight gain and headaches.

Nuva ring prevents pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary.

It also thickens cervical mucus so the sperm cannot swim through it.

Finally it changes the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted.

The patch is a transdermal (through the skin) method of birth control. The patch is applied once a week for 3 weeks. Then for one week the woman uses nothing.

The patch must be applied during the first 24 hours of starting a period to be immediately effective.

If not, back up birth control must be used for a week.

The patch is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. It prevents the release of an egg, thickens cervical mucus and thickens the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation.

Side effects are similar to the nuva ring especially with smoking and woman over 35.

Implanon is a flexible tube about the size of a matchstick.

It contains etonogesterol and releases a slow dose of this for a period of 3 years.

It is put in the arm under the skin. This form of birth control works just the

the nuva ring and patch. It prevents the release of an egg, thickens cervical mucus and thickens the lining of the uterus.

Side effects are similar to the other forms of birth control with smoking being a high risk factor especially for women over 35.

Side effects may vary and are similar to the other types of birth control already mentioned.

A sheath made out of latex, lambskin or polyurethane that covers the penis and collects semen.

Condoms are about 86% effective. Condoms may protect against most stds and if using ones coated with nonoxyenol 9, may protect against the aids virus.

Condoms can break if not put on or removed properly.

A new condom must be used each time a couple is having sex.

Must be put on before any body fluids touch.

Condoms made of sheepskin lining are somewhat porous and can let a virus through.

Latex breaks down if covered by Vaseline (a petroleum product).

Heat will also break down latex. Most condoms will have a use by

date on them.