Method

How it works

Advantages

Disadvantages

Couple chose not to get involved in sexual intercourse or intimate contact. 

100% effective.

+ No medical or hormonal side effects
+ Protects from STDs
+ Free
+ Always works

Couple gambles on pregnancy occurring.

15% effective

+ No medical or hormonal side effects
+ Free and convenient

-No protection from STDs
-High pregnancy rates

Penis is removed from vagina before ejaculation occurs to prevent sperm from meeting egg.

76% effective

+ Can be used when no other method is available
+ No medical or hormonal side effects
+ Free

- Drop of semen or pre-ejaculation could produce a pregnancy.
- Requires self control and trust
- Not recommended for teens
- No protection from STDs

Couple tracks menstrual cycle, temperature, and/or cervical mucous to avoid sex near ovulation.
84% effective

+ No medical or hormonal side effects
+ Free

-No protection from STDs
-Requires consistent discipline

Thin sheath mode of latex, plastic or animal tissue cover penis before intercourse.

79-86% effective, if used correctly and consistently

+ Easily Available
+ Provides some protection against some STDs

- High failure rate due to leaking, breaking or falling off.
- Does not protect against herpes,
HPV or STDs passed through skin to skin contact.
- Sometimes used with spermicide, which lubricates
and immobilized sperm but increases chance of sperm
or virus penetrating condom. 

A thin, loose-fitting, flexible plastic tube is worn inside the vagina.  A soft ring at the closed end of the tube covers the cervix during intercourse, holds it inside the vagina, and partly covers the lip area. 
Provides a partial barrier between partners to prevent sharing bodily fluids like semen, blood or saliva.

Effectiveness unknown

+ Provides some protection against some STDs
+ No hormonal side effects
+ Available without a prescription

- Can break or leak
- Noticeable during sex
- Can be difficult to insert or use
- Does not contain spermicide
- Penis can dislodge the female condom
- Penis could be placed between wall of vagina and other wall of female condom

Soft rubber barrier intended to fit securely over the cervix.  Used with spermicide.  Block the entrance to the uterus preventing sperm from reaching an egg.
82% effective

+ Provides some protection against some STDs
+ Can be put in hours prior to sex

- Limited protection from STDs
- Increased risk of bladder infection
- Must be fitted by physician
- May become dislodged during sex

Device placed in uterus.  May change lining of uterus to prevent sperm from reaching egg, prevent ovulation if hormones are added to the IUD, or to prevent fertilized egg from implanting in uterus. 

90-99% effective

- No protection from STDs
- May cause infection or increase the risk of PID
- Cramping or dizziness during or soon after insertion
- Changes in periods, possible spotting
- Perforation of uterus
- Sometimes acts as an aborifacient

Oral Contraceptive or “The Pill”

Small pill taken at the same time every day.  Artificial hormones tell a woman’s body that it is pregnant month after month.  Its purpose is to inhibit ovulation.  May also cause mucous in cervix to change to inhibit sperm transport and change lining of uterus or inhibit implantation of fetus.

95% effective when taken daily

+ Regulates Periods.
+ Less Menstrual Cramps.
+ Protects from ovarian and endometrial cancers.

-No protection for STDs
-Weakens immune systems, causing susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections
-Sometimes produces symptoms of pregnancy: nausea, vomiting, spotting, breast tenderness, or weight gain.  
-Risk of breast cancer
-Costly; most insurance companies do not cover cost
-Loses effectiveness when missed or taken off schedule.

Long Term Injection (Depo-Provera)

Hormone injected into arm or buttocks every 12 weeks.  Prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs and causes changes in the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation.

99% effective

+ Protects against pregnancy for 12 weeks.
+ Some women stop periods altogether.

- Does not protect from STDs
- Excessive bleeding or irregular periods
- Possible etopic pregnancy.
- Possible hair loss, weight gain, mood swings, headaches
- Temporary to permanent Sterility
- Increased risk of breast cancer
-Risk or stroke or blood clot
-Decreases calcium in bones

Monthly Injection

Progestin component prevents the ovary from releasing an egg.

99% effective

-Does not protect from STDs
-Women who have a history of breast or uterine cancer, blood clots, heart disease, liver dysfunction, diabetes, or migraine headaches may not be good candidates
-Weight gain, nausea, breast tenderness, fluid retention, mood changes, irritability, or depression may occur.
-Need to have health exam prior to injection being given
-Must have subsequent injections every 28 days, for effectiveness ceases after 33 days from injection.

“The Morning After Pill”

Higher doses of birth control pills.  Must be used up to 72 hours after sex.  Can delay or prevent ovulation, can prevent conception by thickening cervical mucus, and can interfere with implantation of a fertilized egg.

Effectiveness unknown

+ May help to relieve the fear of getting pregnant. 

- Most effective when taken within 24 hours and decrease somewhat during each 24 hour period.
- If fertilization has already occurred, and if the pill acts to “irritate the lining of the uterus” to end the pregnancy this would be considered an abortifacient.
- Side effects: nausea, vomiting (if pill is committed up, it is no longer effective), headaches, breast tenderness, abdominal pain.