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#1 Pill

Often referred to as simply the Pill, this hormonal birth control method is a pill taken once a day. Some birth control pills contain two hormones estrogen and progestin. These are called combination pills. Some are progestin-only pills. Most women on the pill take combination pills. Effectiveness Perfect Use: 99.7% Typical Use: 92% How It Works The Pill works by releasing synthetic hormones similar to estrogen and progesterone. The Pill stops ovulation so no eggs are released. It also thickens cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. Where To Get It The Pill requires a prescription and a visit to a health care provider. Advantages Very effective. No interruption of sexual experience. Estrogen-progestin pills can reduce: PMS, PMDD, acne, migraine headaches, and risk of (ovarian, endometrial, and colon) cancer. Disadvantages No protection from STIs Requires remembering to take the pill every day (at the same time of the day for Progestin-Only pills). Estrogen-Progestin pills can increase risk of blood clot, cervical cancer, and migraine headaches. Estrogen-Progestin pills possible side effects include: nausea, fluid retention, irregular bleeding, and decreased sexual interest. Progestin-Only pills can cause breakthrough bleeding and may worsen acne.

#2 Patch (Ortho Evra)!

Often referred to simply as the Patch, this thin, beige, smooth patch looks like an over-sized Band-Aid and is worn on a girls or womans buttocks, lower back, abdomen or upper arm. Effectiveness Perfect use: 99.7% Typical use: 92% How It Works The Patch releases synthetic hormones through the skin to prevent ovulation so no eggs are released. It also thickens cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. After the girl or woman places the Patch on her skin, and it remains in place for one week. She replaces it once a week for three weeks in a row. On the fourth week, she removes the patch so that withdrawal bleeding similar to a period can take place. The next week, she applies a new patch and the cycle repeats. Where To Get It The Patch requires a prescription and a visit to a health care provider. Advantages Does not require taking a daily pill. No interruption of sexual experience. Consistent low-dose release of hormone. Disadvantages No protection from STIs. Higher incidence of blood clots than with pill or ring. Slightly higher breakthrough bleeding than with the pill. Skin irritation.

#3 Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)!

This small, soft, clear, flexible ring is inserted into the vagina once a month for three weeks with one week being ring-free when withdrawal bleeding similar to a period takes place. Effectiveness Perfect use: 99.7% Typical use: 92% How It Works NuvaRing releases synthetic hormones similar to estrogen and progesterone. These hormones stop ovulation so no eggs are released. They also thicken cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. Where To Get It The Vaginal Ring requires a prescription and a visit to a health care provider. Advantages Does not require taking a daily pill. No interruption of sexual experience. Consistent low-dose release of hormone. Disadvantages No protection from STIs. Increased vaginal discharge. Expulsion of ring. Not effective for women over 198 pounds. It may be difficult to insert at first.

#4 Injection (Depo-Provera and Lunelle)!

Depo-Provera is a shot that injects hormones into the body to prevent pregnancy for three months. Effectiveness Perfect Use: 99.7% Typical Use: 99.3% How It Works The Depo-Provera shot injects high levels of progestin, a synthetic hormone similar to progesterone, into the body. This stops the ovaries from releasing eggs, thickens the cervical mucus and changes the lining of the uterus. Depo-Provera users get an injection (shot) once every three months in their upper arm or upper buttocks/lower back. Where To Get It The Vaginal Ring requires a prescription and a visit to a health care provider. Advantages It is effective after 24 hours and requires no daily attention. No interruption of sexual experience. No estrogen-related side effects. (Depo-Provera only) Disadvantages No protection from STIs. Breakthrough bleeding. (Depo-Provera only) Possible side effects include: weight gain, headaches, and mood change. Clinic visit and injection required every three months (Depo-Provera) or every month (Lunelle).

#5 Implant (Implanon)!

This flexible rod is inserted into the body through a small incision in the upper arm. The rod is must be inserted by a healthcare provider and is about 1.5 inches long. Effectiveness Perfect use: 99.95% Typical use: 99.9% How It Works Like several other methods of birth control, such as the birth control injection, the birth control implant releases a hormone progestin. This hormone stops ovulation so no eggs are released. It also thickens cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. Where To Get It The Implant has to be inserted by a health care professional and requires an incision in the arm. Advantages Requires no attention for up to three years. No interruption of sexual experience. No estrogen-related side effects. No increased cardiovascular risks. Disadvantages No protection from STIs. Possible side effects include: amenorrhea, irregular bleeding, spotting, and headaches.

#6 IUD (Mirena and ParaGard)!

The letters IUD stand for "intrauterine device." IUDs are small, "T-shaped" devices made of flexible plastic. A health care provider inserts an IUD into a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUD available copper (ParaGard) and hormonal (Mirena). Effectiveness Perfect use: 99.5% Typical use: 99.2% How It Works Both the copper and hormonal IUDs work mainly by affecting the way sperm move so they can't join with an egg. If sperm cannot join with an egg, pregnancy cannot happen.Also, hormonal IUDs may prevent the egg from leaving the ovary. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no egg to join with sperm. Progestin also prevents pregnancy by thickening a woman's cervical mucus. The mucus blocks sperm and keeps it from joining with an egg. Where To Get It The IUD must be inserted by a health care provider. Advantages Requires no attention for up to five years (Mirena) or twelve years (ParaGard). No interruption of sexual experience. Disadvantages No protection from STIs. May be expelled. Increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease for women with multiple partners. Rare incidence of perforating the uterine wall. Cramps. Increased menstrual flow. (ParaGard only)

#7 Sterilization (Vasectomy and Tubal Ligation)!

Sterilization is a form of birth control that is meant to be permanent. Female: During a sterilization procedure, a health care provider closes or blocks a woman's fallopian tubes. Closing the tubes can be done in several ways. One way is by tying and cutting the tubes this is called tubal ligation. The fallopian tubes also can be sealed using an instrument with an electrical current. They also can be closed with clips, clamps, or rings. Sometimes, a small piece of the tube is removed. Sometimes, tiny inserts are put in the tubes. Tissue grows around them and blocks the tubes. The brand name for this type of sterilization is Essure. Male: During vasectomy, a health care provider closes or blocks the tubes that carry sperm. When the tubes are closed, sperm cannot leave a man's body. Effectiveness Perfect use: 99.5% Typical use: 99.3% How It Works Female: Eggs are made in a woman's ovaries. One egg is released each month. It passes through one of the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. Sterilization blocks each tube. Pregnancy cannot happen if sperm cannot reach the egg. Male: Sperm are made in the testicles. They pass through two tubes called the vasa deferentia to other glands and mix with seminal fluids to form semen. Vasectomy blocks each vas deferens and keeps sperm out of the seminal fluid. The sperm are absorbed by the body instead of being ejaculated. Without sperm, ejaculate cannot cause pregnancy. Where To Get It Sterilization must be performed by a health care provider. Advantages Highly effective and permanent No interruption of sexual experience. Disadvantages No protection from STIs. Not easy to reverse for fertility. Discomfort after procedure.

#8 Male Condoms !

Condoms are worn on the penis during intercourse. They are made of thin latex or plastic that has been molded into the shape of a penis. Sometimes they are called rubbers, safes, or jimmies. These latex or polyurethane sheaths cover the penis and prevent bodily fluids from transferring from one person to another. Condoms are effective in preventing pregnancy and the transmission of STDs. Effectiveness Perfect use: 98% Typical use: 82.6% How It Works The condom fits right over an erect penis and should be put on before engaging in any type of sexual intercourse. This creates a barrier so no bodily fluids are exchanged between partners. This means sperm cant enter a vagina to cause a pregnancy. It also means partners are less likely to be at risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Where To Get It Condoms can be found at family planning clinics, drugstores, supermarkets, online, and even some convenience stores. Advantages Some protection from STIs. Available without a prescription. Allows men to be more involved in contraception. Can help relieve premature ejaculation. No hormone-related side effects. Can be used with all other birth control methods except the female condom to provide very effective pregnancy prevention and to reduce risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Disadvantages Requires stopping to put on condom which can interrupt sexual experience. Can reduce sensation. Up to 6 out of 100 people have latex allergies. If you are allergic to latex, you can use condoms made of plastic instead. Some men are self-conscious about using condoms or feel pressured to ejaculate.

#9 Female Condoms !

The female condomalso known as an internal or receptive condomis a polyurethane or nitrile sheath with flexible rings at the ends that help the condom stay in place. Just before vaginal intercourse, it is inserted deep into the vagina. The ring at the closed end holds the pouch in the vagina. The ring at the open end stays outside the vaginal opening during intercourse. Effectiveness Perfect use: 95% Typical use: 73% How It Works The female condom is inserted into the vagina and held in by a ring that covers the cervix. On the other end is another ring that stays outside of the vagina, partly covering the labia. Like the male condom, this creates a barrier that prevents the exchange of bodily fluids that could cause STDs or pregnancy. Where To Get It Female condoms can be found at family planning clinics, drugstores, online, and in some supermarkets. Advantages Some protection from STIs. Available without a prescription. No hormone-related side effects. Can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex. Disadvantages It can be difficult to insert. Can reduce sensation. Up to 6 out of 100 people have latex allergies. If you are allergic to latex, you can use condoms made of plastic instead.

#10 Diaphragm with Spermicide !

The diaphragm is a thin rubber or silicone dome with a springy, flexible rim that is held in place by the muscles in the vagina. It must be used with spermicides and should be inserted before engaging in any sexual behaviors. After intercourse, the diaphragm must be left in place for at least six hours to be effective. Effectiveness Perfect use: 94% Typical use: 84% How It Works The diaphragm works as a barrier that covers the cervixthe lower part of the uterus and keeps sperm from entering the uterus. Where To Get It Women have to visit a clinic or see a health care provider to be fitted for a diaphragm. Advantages Some protection from bacterial STIs. Can be inserted before sexual experience. No hormone-related side effects. Decreased incidence of cervical cancer. Disadvantages Limited protection from STIs. Diaphragms must be washed and stored in a dry container. Increased urinary tract infections. Requires practice to use correctly. Can cause vaginal or cervical irritation.

#11 Standard Days Method!

Standard days method is the most effective form of fertility awarenessbased contraceptive methods. Fertility awareness-based methods (FAMs) are ways to track ovulation the release of an egg in order to prevent pregnancy. Some people call FAMs "natural family planning." Effectiveness Perfect use: 95% Typical use: 88% How It Works The standard days method works by keeping sperm out of the vagina in the days near ovulation, when a woman is most fertile most likely to become pregnant. To prevent pregnancy, women can abstain from vaginal intercourse on their fertile days or use other contraceptive methods during that time. Knowing when your fertile days will happen can help you avoid a pregnancy. It can also help you plan one. The key is to figure out when you will ovulate. This will let you figure out the other fertile days that come before and after you ovulate. Then you can track your fertility pattern the days of the month when you are fertile and the days of the month when you are not. You must do this carefully. Women don't all have the same fertility pattern. And some women have different patterns from one month to the next. Where To Get It N/A Advantages Doesnt cost any money. Acceptable to Catholic Church. No medical or hormone-related side effects. Disadvantages No protection from STIs. Requires periods of abstinence/outercourse only during unsafe times. Requires careful observation and tracking.

#12 Withdrawal!

The withdrawal method. Pulling out. Call it what you like, its all about getting the penis out of the vagina and away from the vulva before ejaculation. It is a better form of birth control than none at all, but it is not very reliable. Effectiveness Perfect use: 96% Typical use: 73% How It Works This method works by removing the penis from the vagina before the male ejaculates so that sperm cannot enter the females body. Where To Get It N/A Advantages Doesnt cost any money. It is always available when needed. No medical or hormone-related side effects. Disadvantages No protection from STIs. Many younger men may not be able to totally control their ejaculation and so run the risk of ejaculating too early or too close to the vulva.

#13 Outercourse !

Non-coital forms of sexual intimacy are called outercourse. Outercourse means different things to different people. For some people, outercourse is any sex play that does not include vaginal intercourse. For others, it is sex play with no penetration at all oral, anal, or vaginal. Effectiveness Perfect use: 100% Typical use: 100% How It Works Outercourse prevents pregnancy by keeping sperm out of the vagina. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no sperm present. Where To Get It N/A Advantages When used every time, absolutely zero chance of pregnancy. Doesnt cost any money. No medical or hormone-related side effects. Disadvantages There is still a risk of STIs, especially if it involves oral or anal sex. Temptation to participate in penile-vaginal intercourse may be difficult to resist. Frustration may occur.

Sources Cited!

Crooks, R., & Baur, K. (2014). Our sexuality. (12 ed., pp. 284-287). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. What are the different kinds of birth control? how do they work and how effective are they?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sexetc.org/infocenter/post/what-are-the-different-kinds-of-birth-control-how-dothey-work-and-how-effective-are-they/ Birth control. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ health-topics/birth-control-4211.htm