Condom 

What is it?
*Fits over erect penis and catches sperm when the man "comes".
*Also known as rubbers.

Chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*If you are very careful each time----97%
*If you are not very careful each time-----86%
*If used with suppositories----more than 99%

Health Concerns:
None

Strong Points:
*Can buy in a drug store/ not expensive
*Easy to use, easy to carry.
*Used only when needed
*Latex condoms help protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted disease

Weak Points:
*Must be put on immediatly before sexual intercourse.
*Some men say it reduces sexual feeling
*Condoms with spermicide may irritate vagina or penis
*Some people are allergic to latex

Depo Provera Return to Top of Page

What is it?
*Artificial hormones injected by a clinician
*Stops ovaries from releasing an egg every month
*Thickens the mucus in the cervix (opening to the womb),  so it is hard for sperm to enter        womb

My chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*More than 99%

Health Concerns:
*Few serious problems for most women.
*Should not be used by women with liver disease, heart disease, breast cancer or blood clots

Strong Points:
*Doesnít interfere with sex.
*Last for 3 months.
*Often decreases bleeding and cramping associated with periods.
*Safe to use while breast feeding.
*Less chance of ovarian or endometrial cancer

Weak Points:
*Must have injection by health care provider
*May cause heavy periods, irregular periods, light periods, or eventually no period at all.
*May not be able to get pregnant for several months after the shots are discontinued.
*May have weight changes, moodiness, headaches, or dizziness.
*No protection against HIV and other STD.

Diaphragm Return to Top of Page

What is it?
*Small rubber cup fits inside vagina, over the cervix (opening to the womb).
*Used with contraceptive cream or jelly that kills sperm.
*Must be fitted by clinician.

My chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*If you are very careful each time------94%
*If you are not very careful each time-----80%

Health Concerns:
*Few health problems
*More bladder infections for some women.
*Very small chance of toxic shock syndrome.

Strong Points:
*Can be put in 2 hours before sex.
*Used only when needed.
*May help protect against some STD (not HIV).

Weak Points:
*Some women say it's hard to put in and take out.
*Can be messy.
*Cream jelly may irritate vagina or penis.
*Must be left in place 6-8 hours after sex.
*No protection against HIV.

Foam, Suppositories & Film  Return to Top of Page

What is it?
*Made of chemicals that kill sperm.
*Put into vagina before sex.

My chance of NOT getting pregnant:
*If you are very careful each time------94%
*If you are not very careful------74%
*If used with condomsómore than 99%

Health Concerns:
None

Strong Points:
*Can buy in drugstores
*Easy to use, easy to carry.
*Used only when needed.
*May help protect against some STD (not HIV)

Weak Points:
*Must be put in shortly before sex.
*Can be messy
*May irritate vagina or penis
*No protection against HIV

IUD  Return to Top of Page

What is it?
*Small device put inside the womb by a clinician
*Prevents sperm from fertilizing egg.

My chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*More than 99%
*Health Concerns
*Increased chance of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Strong Points:
*Always in place
*Doesnít interfere with sex

Weak Points:
*May have more bleeding and cramping during period or spotting between periods.
*If a woman gets pregnant, IUD must be taken out.
*Shouldnt be used by women with multiple partners.
*No protection against HIV and other STD.

Natural Family Planning  Return to Top of Page

What is it?
*Woman learns to recognize fertile days of menstrual cycle.
*Can use barrier method during her fertile time (Fertility Awareness Method)
*No intercourse during her fertile time (Natural Family Planning)

My chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*If you are very careful each time--- 91%-99%
*If not very careful each time -----75%

Health Concerns
None

Strong Points:
*If used without birth control, is approved by all religious groups.
*Very low cost.
*Can improve a couple's communication and cooperation.
*Helpful when ready to become pregnant.

Weak Points:
*Must chart temperature and vaginal mucus every day.
*If periods aren't regular, may not be as effective.
*Woman must have participation of her partner.
*Special classes are needed to learn.
*No protection against HIV and other STD.

Norplant Return to Top of Page

What is it?
*Tiny capsules of artificial hormones put under the skin of arm by a clinician.
*Capsules slowly release hormones into the bloodstream.
*Stops ovaries from releasing an egg each month.
*Thickens mucus in cervix (opening to womb), so it's hard for sperm to enter womb.

My chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*More than 99%

Health Concerns:
*Few serious problems for most women
*Should not be used by women with liver disease, heart disease, breast cancer or 
  blood clots.

Strong Points:
*Can stay in for 5 years.
*Can be removed anytime, then woman can become pregnant right away.
*Always in place.
*Doesnít interfere with sex.
*Less chance of ovarian or endometrial cancer.

Weak Points:
*For first few months, may have spotting between periods, light periods, longer periods, 
  or no period at all.
*Beginning costs are high ($400-$650)
*Minor surgery is required to insert or remove capsules.
*No protection against HIV and other STD.

Pill  Return to Top of Page

What is it?
*Pills made from artificial hormones.
*Stops ovaries from releasing an egg each month.
*Must be prescribed by a clinician.

My chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*If you are very careful each time---more than 99%
*If you are not careful each time ---95%

Health Concerns:
*Few serious problems for young women.
*Very small chance of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.
*May cause high blood pressure.

Strong Points:
*Simple and easy to use
*Doesnít interfere with sex
*Less bleeding and cramping during period.
*Less chance of PID.
*Less chance of ovarian or endometrial cancer.

Weak Points:
*May have weight changes, moodiness, spotting between periods.
*Must remember to take every day.
*May not be a good method for women over 35 who smoke.
*No protection against HIV and other STD.

Sterilization  Return to Top of Page

What is it?
*Permanent operation that makes a person unable to have a baby.
*Both men and women can be sterilized.

My chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*99.9%

Health concerns:
*Safer for men than women.
*Small chance of infection or bleeding after surgery.
*Tubular pregnancy could occur if operation doesn't work.

Strong Points:
*No other method will ever be needed.
*No physical effect on sexual desire or ability.

Weak Points:
*Permanent. Cannot change your mind later.
*No protection against HIV and other STD.

Abstinence  Return to Top of Page
What is it?
*Choosing not to half intercourse.

My chances of NOT getting pregnant:
*100%

Health concerns:
None

Strong Points:
*Don't have to worry about pregnancy or STD's
*Parents will approve

Weak Points:
*May be difficult to hold to your wishes.
*Significant other may not understand.

For More on Abstinence Click Here

Emergency Contraception Return to Top of Page

After sex, you still have 3 days (72 hours) to prevent pregnancy. 
Emergency birth control in the form of birth control pills is an option if your birth control method was damaged, wasn't used or wasn't used correctly.

A health care provider must prescribe the correct dose of pills and tell you how to use them.

You may want to ask for a supply of pills to have in case an emergency happens.  With prior counseling and written instructions you can use the pills without delay if you need to.