What is birth control?

Birth control can refer to different methods to help you:

• Practice safe sex
• Prevent pregnancy (if you are having vaginal intercourse with an opposite-sex partner)
• Help regulate your periods. Some forms can help you control how often you have your period or may help reduce cramps

Some birth There are many different types of birth control methods with pros and cons to each. It is important to think about what is important for you and your body when considering what method is right for you. If you try one and don’t like it, you can always talk to a doctor or nurse to find another one that works better for you. Many people try different types before they find the right one!

If you are interested in learning more about birth control options, you can take the following quiz to see which options may be best for you:

What’s important to you?

•  Birth control implant, IUD, the shot, the ring, the patch, the pill, outercourse and abstinence
•  The implant, IUD
•  condoms, abstinence and outercourse
•  the implant, IUD, the shot, the ring, the patch, the pill
•  the implant, IUD, the shot, the ring, the patch, the pill
•  the implant, IUD, the shot, condoms, withdrawal (pull out), outercourse and abstinence

Birth control implant (Nexplanon) is a tiny rod that is placed under the skin in your upper arm. It releases hormones into your body that can help prevent you from getting pregnant. A nurse or doctor can insert it into your arm and it will work for up to 5 years. When it is placed, you will feel a pinch when you get numbing medication and then you shouldn’t feel any pain. You may have some pain and swelling for a week after getting the implant. It is one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy (99% effective). If you get the Nexplanon during the first 5 days of your period, you’re protected from pregnancy right away. If not, you should use another method during the first week after getting it placed. The most common side effect is spotting in your underwear, especially in the first 6-12 months. People usually have lighter periods afterwards. 

• Pros:
  • 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Easy to use, you get it and forget it
  • Private and convenient
  • Works for up to 5 years
  • Usually makes periods lighter
• Cons:
  • Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases
  • You have to seek care from a doctor or nurse to have it placed or removed in clinic

IUD (Intrauterine Device) is a tiny piece of plastic shaped like a T that goes into your uterus. It is one of the best ways to prevent pregnancy (99% effective). There are different types of IUDs, one that has hormones and the other that does not. Depending on the type, IUDs can work for between 5-12 years. IUDs change the way that sperm move, so they are less likely to get to an egg to cause pregnancy. The copper IUD (Paraguard) can also be used as emergency contraception if you get it placed within 5 days of having unprotected sex. An IUD is placed at a doctor’s office through your vagina. The process lasts about 10 minutes and can cause some cramping or bleeding. Once you get an IUD placed in your uterus, the IUD strings will come out of your uterus into the top of your vagina. You shouldn’t notice it or feel it inside of you. There is a small chance that your IUD can come out of place, this is most common in the first 3 months. If your IUD comes out, you should use another method of birth control and see your doctor or nurse.

• Pros:
  • 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Easy to use, you get it and forget it
  • Private and convenient
  • Works for 5-12 years
  • Hormonal IUDs tend to make periods lighter
  • Copper IUDs do not contain hormones
• Cons:
  • Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases
  • You have to seek care from a doctor or nurse to have it placed or removed in clinic
  • IUD insertion can hurt, but the pain will go away
  • IUDs can fall out of place
  • Non-hormonal IUDs can make periods heavier

Birth control shot (depo shot) is an injection of hormones in your upper arm that you get every 3 months. It is safe and effective (94%) at preventing pregnancy, but less effective than an IUD or the implant. If you are late getting your shot (more than 15 weeks between shots), you will need another method to prevent pregnancy within the first 7 days after getting your shot. Some common side effects of the shot are bleeding more days than usual, spotting between periods, or no periods at all. Some people also have weight gain and headaches with the shot. 

• Pros:
  • 96% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Easy to use, you get it and forget it
  • Private and convenient
  • Can protect you from cancer of the uterus
  • The shot is temporary so you can get pregnant after you stop using it
• Cons:
  • Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases
  • Some medications like certain antibiotics or anti-seizure medications can make the shot work less well
  • You have to seek care from a doctor or nurse to get the shot in clinic
  • You have to go back for your shot every 12-13 weeks which can be hard to remember (Tip, use your smartphone to set a reminder)

Birth control vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring that you wear inside of your vagina and it prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones. There are two brands of rings that each have their own schedule for when you must change it out (usually between 3-4 weeks). You do not need to get the ring placed by a doctor or a nurse, you can place it yourself. Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water and then squeeze the sides of the ring with your fingers to push it gently into your vagina. You should not be able to feel it when you’re walking around. When it is time to change, you can hook your fingers through the ring to gently pull it out. You do not need to take your ring out during sex, but you can if you would like, just make sure to put it back right away afterwards. The ring is less effective than other forms of birth control (like the IUD or the implant) and takes more work and coordination. Using it correctly decreases your chances of getting pregnant. People don’t have many side effects from the ring, but some people complain of headaches, nausea, and sore breasts which usually get better over time. The ring can also help improve painful, heavy, or irregular periods. The rings will not cause you to gain or lose weight.

• Pros:
  • 93% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Private and convenient
  • Can help make your periods lighter, less painful, and more regular
• Cons:
  • Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases
  • You have to remember to take exchange it on the correct schedule in order to prevent pregnancy, making it harder to use than the IUD or the implant
  • You need a prescription from a doctor or a nurse in order to get it
  • Some people may feel uncomfortable touching their own bodies or placing something into their vagina

Birth control patch is a small piece of plastic that looks like a Band-Aid. It can be placed on certain parts of your body where it will release hormones through your skin to help prevent pregnancy. It is very effective (91%) and is a good option if you have trouble remembering to take a pill everyday and do not want something inside of your body. The patch is very simple to use, you just have to remember the schedule for putting your patch on and taking it off. You have to change your patch weekly. You can wear it on your butt, stomach, upper outer arm, or upper back. Some common side effects are bleeding between periods, breast tenderness, and nausea which tend to go away after a month or two.

• Pros:
  • 91% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Private and convenient
  • Easy to use! Like sticking on a Band Aid
  • Good if you do not want to have to take a pill everyday and do not want something inside of your body
  • Can help make your periods lighter, less painful, and more regular
• Cons:
  • Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases
  • You may have skin irritation where your patch is
  • You have to remember to change it weekly
  • Less effective than the IUD or implant

Birth control pill (“the pill”) comes in a pack and is a medicine you need to take every day. It is safe and easy to use, but forgetting pills, losing your pack, or not refilling your medication on time are the main ways people get pregnant on the pill. Many people use reminders on their cell phones or they keep their pills next to something they use every day (like a toothbrush) to help them remember to take their pills. The pill is less effective than many other types of birth control mostly because they are so easy to forget. Some people complain of headaches, sore breasts, or nausea on the pill, but this usually improves in a month or two. Your periods can also go away or get lighter while you’re on the pill. Pill packs come with two different types of pills, active ones (with hormones) and non-active ones. You take the active pills for three weeks and then the non-actives ones for one week of each month. People usually get their period when they take the non-active pills. If you want to skip your period you can simply skip the non-active pills and go straight to your next pill pack. This is very safe. If you miss a pill, try to take it as soon as you remember. If you miss more than one pill, you should use a backup method of birth control (like a condom) for the next 7 days while resuming your pills.

• Pros:
  • 91% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • Good if you do not want something inside of your body
  • Can help make your periods lighter, less painful, and more regular
• Cons:
  • Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases
  • Lots of effort! You have to remember to take it every day!
  • Less effective than the IUD or implant
  • You have to get a prescription from a doctor or a nurse to get it

Condoms are one of the most popular forms of birth control because they protect against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy and you don’t need a doctor or nurse to get one. They are easy to get and use! There are two types of condoms, one to cover a penis and another that goes into the vagina. Both types help prevent sperm (cum) from getting to an egg to cause pregnancy. Condoms are much less effective than other forms of birth control. To use them correctly, you should use a condom every single time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex (whether having sex with an opposite sex or same sex partner). You should wear the condom the whole time from start to finish. Many people use condoms + another form of birth control (IUD, the pill, patch, implant) to protect against pregnancy AND sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms last a long time, but it is always a good idea to check the expiration date before you use one. 

• Pros:
  • 79% effective at preventing pregnancy, much less effective than many other methods!
  • You don’t need a doctor or nurse to get them
  • Condoms are the ONLY birth control that protects against sexually transmitted diseases
  • Can be combined with any of the other birth control methods
• Cons:
  • Lots of effort! You have to remember to use it every time! It can get in the way if you have to take a break to put on a condom in the moment.
  • Less effective than other types of birth control
  • Must be used correctly every time

Withdrawal (pull out) is a method of birth control to prevent semen (cum) from getting into the vagina. It is exactly what it sounds like where a penis is pulled out of a vagina before ejaculation (cumming). It is really difficult to do well because you have to pull out before any semen comes out, every single time you have vaginal sex. It also does not protect against STDs. It is not a great method to prevent pregnancy.

• Pros:
  • No side effects, no hormones and no devices.
  • Easy and does not cost anything or require a doctor/nurse
• Cons:
  • Does NOT protect against STDs!!
  • 78% effective at preventing pregnancy (when done right), much less effective than many other methods!
  • Hard to do well
  • Has to happen every single time you have vaginal sex to prevent pregnancy

Outercourse and abstinence: Abstinence is usually where you don’t have sex. Outercourse is all other sexual activities besides vaginal sex (like kissing, massage, humping with clothes on, anal sex, oral sex). These terms sometimes mean different things to different people. To some people, abstinence means only not having vaginal sex, while to other people, it could mean not have any kind of sex with another person (vaginal, oral, or anal). You can decide what abstinence means to you. Outercourse and abstinence are the two most effective methods of preventing pregnancy. Outercourse can still spread STDs if there is skin to skin genital contact or sexual fluids get into your genitals or mouth. It is a good idea to use condoms during outercourse to reduce the risk of transmitted STDs.

• Pros:
  • 100% effective at preventing pregnancy!  
  • Usually protects against STDs (especially when wearing a condom)
  • You don’t need a doctor or nurse
  • No side effects, no hormones and no devices.
  • Easy and does not cost anything or require a doctor/nurse

Notes:

Planned Parenthood birth control quiz: https://tools.plannedparenthood.org/bc/birth_control_quiz

Sources:

Birth control video and script from youth  

Contraception | Reproductive Health | CDC. Published August 13, 2020. Accessed July 20, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm

Birth Control Methods & Options | Types of Birth Control. Accessed July 20, 2021. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control

Birth Control Method Explorer (2021). Bedsider. Accessed July 20, 2021. https://www.bedsider.org/methods