Method
|
How
well
does it
work? |
Advantages
|
How to Use
|
Possible
Problems |
Male
Condom |
85-98%
|
• Easy to buy in drugstores, markets
• Can be put on as part of sex play
• Can help relieve early ejaculation
• Protects against HIV and many other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Can be used while breastfeeding |
• Use a new condom each time you have sex
• Use a polyurethane condom if allergic to latex |
• Latex allergy
• Loss of feeling
• Can break or slip off
|
Female
Condom
|
79-95% |
• Easy to buy in drugstores, markets
• Can be put in as part of sex play
• Good for people with latex allergy
• Protects against HIV and other STIs
• Can be used while breastfeeding |
• Use a new condom each time you have sex |
• May be noisy
• May be hard to insert
• May irritate vagina, penis
• May slip out of place during sex |
Spermicide
gel, sponge,
foam, inserts
|
71-85% |
• Easy to buy in drugstores, markets
• Can be put in as part of sex play
• Comes in many forms: cream, gel, foam and inserts
• Can be used while breastfeeding |
• Insert more spermicide each time you have sex |
• Using spermicide nonoxynol-9 may raise the risk of getting HIV
• May irritate vagina, penis
• Cream, gel, and foam can be messy |
Diaphragm
|
84-94%
|
• Can last several years
• Costs very little to use
• May protect against some infections (NOT HIV)
• Can be used while breastfeeding |
• Must be used each time you have sex
• Must be used with spermicide
• A health care provider will fit you and show you how to use it |
• Using spermicide nonoxynol-9 may raise the risk of getting HIV
• Should not be used with vaginal bleeding or infection
• Raises risk of bladder infection |
The Implant
Implanon™
|
> 99% |
• Long lasting (up to 3 years)
• No medicine to take daily
• Can be used while breastfeeding
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after it is removed |
• A provider places it under the skin of the upper arm
•
Must be removed by a provider |
• May cause irregular bleeding (spotting, no periods or heavy periods)
•
After 1 year, many women have no period at all
• Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
The Pill
|
92-99% |
• Can make periods more regular and less painful
• Can improve PMS symptoms
• Can improve acne
• Lowers risk of ovarian cancer
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills |
• Must take the pill daily |
• May cause nausea, weight gain, headaches, change in sex drive – but these can be relieved by changing to a new brand
•
May cause spotting the first 1-2 months
• Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
Progestin-
Only Pills
|
92-99% |
• Can be used while breastfeeding
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills |
• Must take the pill at the same time each day |
• Often cause spotting, which may last for many months
• May cause depression, hair or skin changes, change in sex drive
• Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
The Patch
Ortho Evra™
|
92-99% |
• Can make periods more regular and less painful
• No pill to take daily
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the patch |
• Apply a new patch once a week for three weeks. No patch in week 4 |
• Can irritate skin underneath the patch
•
May cause spotting the first 1-2 months of use
• Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
The Ring
Nuvaring™
|
92-99% |
• Does not require a “fitting” by a health care provider
• Private
• Does not require spermicide
• Can make periods more regular and less painful
• No pill to take daily
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the ring |
• Insert a small ring into the vagina
•
Change ring each month |
• Can cause increased vaginal discharge
• May cause spotting the first 1-2 months of use
•Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
The Shot
Depo-Provera™
|
97-99% |
• Each shot works for 12 weeks
• Private
• Helps prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus (womb)
• No pill to take daily
• Can be used while breastfeeding |
• Get shot every 3 months |
• May cause spotting, no period, weight gain, depression, hair or skin changes, change in sex drive
• May cause delay in getting pregnant after you stop the shots
• Side effects may last up to 6 months after you stop the shots
• Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
IUD
Intrauterine
Device:
Copper
(ParaGard™)
Progestin
(Mirena™)
|
99%
|
• Nothing to put in place before sex
• Copper IUD may be left in place for up to 12 years, and progestin IUD for 7 years
• No pill to take daily
• Progestin IUD may help period cramps and bleeding
• Can be used while breastfeeding
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when IUD is removed |
• Must be placed in uterus by a health care provider
• Must be removed by a health care provider |
• Copper IUD may cause more cramps and heavy periods
• Progestin IUD may cause lighter periods or no period at all
• IUDs can cause spotting between periods
• Rarely, uterus is injured during placement
• Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
Emergency
Contraception
Plan B™
 |
89% |
• Can lower the risk of pregnancy if taken within 5 days of unprotected sex
• Can be used by women with medical problems
• Can be used while breastfeeding |
• Take 2 pills together as soon as you can after unprotected sex |
• Can cause nausea
• The next period sometimes comes a few days early or a few days late
• May cause spotting
• Does not protect against HIV or other STIs |
