CONTRACEPTIVE
METHODS
SUCCESS RATE
Permanent
Sterilization
99%
Emergency
Contraceptive Pills
(By Mouth)
85-89%
Other Choices
Diaphragm & Cervical Cap
A dome-shaped rubber or silicone cup, placed into
the vagina to cover the cervix. Spermicide cream or
jelly is applied inside the dome before insertion.
Insert additional spermicide for each sex act,
without removing the dome. Must be left in place for
6 hours after the last sex act and not longer than 24
hours. Available from a health clinician.
DESCRIPTION
Procedures are meant to prevent
pregnancy for the rest of one’s life.
• Males - vasectomy
• Females - tubal ligation or
implant
Not used for routine birth control
Two main types of emergency
contraceptive pills (ECP):
• Progestin only hormone
• Ulipristal acetate hormone
METHOD
OF ACTION
Vasectomy, tubal ligation and
implant are permanent procedures
in which ducts (tubes) carrying eggs
or sperm are blocked, tied, clipped
or clamped. This keeps the sperm
from uniting with an egg.
• Delays ovaries from releasing
an egg
• Thickens cervical mucus which
prevents sperm from joining an egg
A one-size, disk-shaped, polyurethane sponge coated
with spermicide. It is moistened with water before
placing over the cervix. It protects up to 24 hours, no
matter how many times sex occurs. No prescription
needed. Can be purchased at most clinics or
pharmacies.
Considered a one-time permanent
procedure
• Take by mouth, as directed
• Most effective if taken within 3-5
days after unprotected sex
Fertility Awareness Methods
• Does not affect breast milk or
mother's ability to breastfeed
• Can be used by most women who can
not use combined birth control pills
• Used to prevent pregnancy after
unprotected sex, method failure, or
sexual assault
HOW TO USE
BENEFITS
POSSIBLE
SIDE EFFECTS
SAFETY
THINGS TO
CONSIDER
AVAILABILITY
• Most effective birth control method
• Low rate of complications
• Recovery can be a few hours or
a few days
• Possible mild to moderate pain
Side effects do not last long and do
not pose a risk to health. May include
nausea, vomiting, headaches, breast
tenderness, and changes in menstrual
bleeding; including spotting, early or
late period, increased or decreased
bleeding.
Be well informed about the risks
with any of these procedures.
Discuss in detail with your clinician
the possibility of infections, pain,
bleeding or other complications.
Do not take if you have:
• Unexplained abnormal vaginal bleeding
• A known pregnancy (or missed
period, get a pregnancy test)
Medical risks are similar to those of
taking birth control pills
• Implant can take up to 3 months
for scar tissue to grow
• Imaging test is needed to
determine if tubes are blocked
• Use back-up method after implant
placement or vasectomy until
tests verify blockage has occured
• In most cases, there is no loss of
sexual desire or ability. Removing
fear of pregnancy may improve
enjoyment of sexual relations
• Procedures are performed in a
hospital or clinic
• Some insurance coverage
requires age to be 21 years or
older
• ECP is not an abortion pill. It will not
interrupt or harm an established
pregnancy
• Pills must be taken within 5 days (120
hours) of unprotected sex. The sooner
it is taken, the more effective it is
• Talk to clinician about starting a
regular method of contraception
following use of ECP
• Does not protect against STIs
• If vomiting occurs within 2 hours of
taking pill, need to take it again
• Available at most pharmacies and
some clinics
• No prescription needed for
progestin only pill, but may be
subject to age and ID requirements*
• Prescription needed for ulipristal
acetate pills
Today Sponge
Methods depend on identifying the days in the
menstrual cycle when a pregnancy may occur. To
avoid a pregnancy, use a barrier method or do not
have sex during this fertile time. Methods used to
identify the fertile time include: body temperature,
cervical mucus, hormone monitoring, and calendar
charting. Classes are recommended to increase
success rate using these methods.
Breastfeeding
Or Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
Temporary contraceptive method used postpartum
by women who breastfeed.
All of the following need to be met:
1. No menstrual period since delivery AND
2. Breastfeeding at least every 4-6 hours day and
night. No other liquids, formula or foods given to
baby AND
3. Baby is less than 6 months old
Although breastfeeding may provide some
protection against pregnancy, it is best to use
another fertility awareness or barrier method while
breastfeeding.
Withdrawal
A man who performs withdrawal must completely
remove his penis from the woman’s vagina before
he ejaculates. He ejaculates outside the vagina so
that fertilization is prevented. Fluid at the tip of the
penis may have sperm in it, which can cause
pregnancy. This method takes a lot of self-control
and is not recommended for those wanting very
effective contraception. Does not protect against
HIV or other STIs.
Abstinence
Continuous abstinence is the clear decision to not
have sexual intercourse. This means that there is
no direct genital contact at all. It is a sure way to
prevent pregnancy and has no side effects.
However, if couples have oral or anal sex, STIs,
including HIV, can still be spread. Talk about your
feelings with your partner. Get the facts and support
from an informed person you trust.
Additional Information
Be informed: If you do not understand the information in this brochure,
please ask your health clinician. This brochure is not meant to replace the
advice of a medical professional. Being informed about contraceptives is
important for preventing unintended pregnancies and reducing risk of
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.
Use latex or polyurethane condoms with all methods to reduce the
risk of STIs. Risk for infection increase with multiple sexual partners.
Clinicians: Physicians, medical doctors, specialty nurses, such as nurse
mid-wives and nurse practitioners.
Regular exam: Return to health clinician for regular health exam and Pap
smear. If you plan to change or stop a prescription method, call and
discuss with health clinician before stopping it.
Prescription methods are medications or products which require a health
clinician's order to purchase. May be required by insurance for coverage.
*Nonprescription methods do not require a health clinician's order to
purchase and can be purchased at most pharmacies. Prescription may be
required by insurance for coverage.
Signs of infection can include: fever, chills, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash,
unusual vaginal discharge, foul odor, or unexplained bleeding.
Contraception is also called family planning, birth control, or child-spacing.
Contraceptives are methods that reduce the likelihood of a pregnancy.
Success Rate: A range, such as 92-99%, shows a use-rate ranging from
typical use to perfect use. It refers to the percent of women likely to not become
pregnant while using a contraceptive method for one year. For further
information see F.D.A. www.fda.gov. The rate source for this booklet comes from
Contraceptive Technology www.contraceptivetechnology.com/table.html.
Access to birth control and STI testing is available to teens and others, and
may be offered at free or reduced rates. Your personal health information is
confidential and can only be given to those authorized to have it. When
making an appointment ask about sliding fees and billing options.
Family Planning Services
Olmsted County Public Health Services [email protected]
328-7500 • 2100 Campus Dr. S.E., Suite 100, Rochester
Family planning education, pregnancy testing
Planned Parenthood www.plannedparenthood.org
288-5186 • 1212 Seventh Street N.W., Rochester
Family planning clinic, education, pregnancy testing
Olmsted Medical Center www.olmmed.org
288-3443 • 210 Ninth Street S.E., Rochester
Family planning clinic, pregnancy testing
Rochester Family Medicine Clinic [email protected]
288-0124 • 40 16th Street S.E., Rochester
Family planning clinic, pregnancy testing
Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.org
284-2511 • 200 First Street S.W., Rochester
Family planning clinic, pregnancy testing
Prepared by:
Olmsted County Public Health Services
2100 Campus Dr. S.E., Suite 100 • Rochester, MN 55904
www.co.olmsted.mn.us/ocphs/pages/default.aspx
Printed on recycled paper with agri-based inks
8/13
Products That Can Help Prevent Pregnancy
Available by Prescription
CONTRACEPTIVE
METHODS
SUCCESS RATE
DESCRIPTION
METHOD OF
ACTION
HOW TO USE
Implant
(Under the Skin)
IUD
(Intrauterine Device)
Injection
(Shot)
Pills
(By Mouth)
Patch
(On Skin)
Vaginal Ring
99%
99%
94-99%
91-99%
91-99%
91-99%
Soft thin capsule, filled with the
hormone progestin, placed
under the skin of the woman's
upper arm.
Small, T-shaped device made of
• Hormone shot that contains
flexible plastic. It is inserted into the progestin
uterus by a health clinician.
• The shot is known as DMPA or
Three types are available:
Depo-Provera
• One contains copper
• Two contain hormone progestin
• Placed during period or
immediately after the period
• It should be replaced or removed
within 3 years
• Feel for the attached threads
each month to be sure the IUD is
still in place
• Can remain in place for up to 3,
5 or 10 years depending on type
First shot given during or just after • Pill is taken daily, at or near, the
menstrual period. The shot is given
same time of day.
in the arm or buttock.
• The number of menstrual periods
Return to health clinician every 90
expected per year can be reduced
days for another injection of Depo.
with the type of active hormone
If late for injection, may need
pills taken
pregnancy test before getting shot.
Minipill usable if breastfeeding
SAFETY
Apply to clean, dry skin. Wear patch
for one week. Change patch weekly
for three weeks. Apply new patch to
new site each time. Do not wear a
patch the fourth week to allow for a
menstrual period.
Place the ring inside the vagina.
• Place the male condom on the
Leave there for three weeks.
erect penis before sex act. Remove
Remove the ring and throw it away.
penis with condom in place as
Do not wear ring the fourth week to soon after ejaculation as possible
allow for a menstrual period.
• Insert the female condom prior to
sex act. Twist to close outer ring to
keep semen in the condom
• Combined pill helps regulate
menstrual cycle and lessens
menstrual blood flow
• Minor medical procedure for
insertion and removal through a
small incision in the skin
• Infection at the site rarely occurs
• Changes in weight and mood
• Irregular bleeding or no period
can occur during use
• Medication needs to wear off to
reverse any side effects
• Discuss risks with health clinician
Irregular bleeding or no period
can occur during mini pill use
THINGS TO
CONSIDER
Prolonged use of Depo-Provera
(longer than 2 years) may result in
loss of bone density.
• Check for availability with health clinician
• Injected, inserted and removed by health clinician
Vaginal spermicides come in many
forms: jelly, film, tablets, cream,
gel, or suppository.
These are placed inside the
vagina.
Spermicide contains an ingredient
that makes the sperm immobile
and unable to join with egg.
• Insert in vagina within 1 hour
before each sex act
• Read label instructions
• Do not douche for at least 6
hours after last sex act
• Not recommended for use during
first 6 weeks after childbirth
• Contraceptive effect is quickly stopped with removal of patch or ring
• Can be used as backup option to other birth control methods
• Quick protection, easy to use
• Can reduce the spread of
sexually transmitted infections
• May be used after childbirth when
comfort level has been reached
Mild irritation and allergic reaction to latex or spermicide may occur.
Mild irritation at patch site
Vaginal discharge, infection or
irritation can occur
• One-time use per sex act
• For latex allergy concerns talk
to health care clinician
• Medically safe when used
correctly
• Medications for vaginal yeast
infections may decrease the
effectiveness of spermicides
• Menstrual period most likely to
begin on day 4 of patch-free week
• Patch may not be as effective for
women over 198 pounds
Talk to clinician about any concern or desired effect
• Store at room temperature
• Use water soluble lubricants,
not oil or vaseline, with latex
condoms
• Store at room temperature
• More effective when combined
with condom, diaphragm, or cap
• Check expiration date
• Should be labeled “contraceptive”
• Spermicide has not been proven
effective against bacteria and viruses
Prescribed by a health clinician and obtained from a clinic or pharmacy
Available at drug stores and supermarkets carrying personal care
products, and at family planning clinics
Combined hormonal methods are not usually recommended for women
with high blood pressure or those over 35 years of age who smoke.
Use back-up method for seven days after starting hormonal method
AVAILABILITY
72-82%
Usable if breastfeeding
Tell health clinician about: • Smoking cigarettes • Medication/supplements/herbal products • Diseases/health conditions
• If inserted during the first 5 days
of the cycle, no backup is needed
• May contain barium sulfate for
easy removal
Vaginal
Spermicide
Talk to clinician about use if breastfeeding
Mild hormonal effects:
• Nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, dizziness • Changes in menstruation • These side effects usually lessen after 2-3 months of use
• Menstrual flow may change with
the type of IUD used
• Possible cramps
For concerns regarding changes
in bleeding pattern, or signs of
infection, talk to health clinician.
Male 82-98%
Female 79-95%
• Skin patch is worn on the
• Soft, flexible ring, 2 inches in
• Male condom: a thin latex, lamb
skin or polyurethane sheath
woman’s upper arms, shoulders,
diameter that is inserted into the
placed over the penis
lower abdomen, or buttocks
vagina
• Releases the hormones progestin • Releases the hormones progestin • Female condom: soft plastic loosefitting pouch placed in the vagina
and estrogen
and estrogen
and partly covers outside area
• Easy to use, safe, effective, convenient
• Hormonal methods may help decrease menstrual cramps and pain
Irregular bleeding or no period can
occur during use
Condom
Catches sperm and stops it from
entering the vagina
• Contraceptive effect is quickly stopped with removal of implant or IUD
• Maintains privacy
POSSIBLE
SIDE EFFECTS
Oral contraceptive hormone pills:
• Combined pill - estrogen and
progestin
• Minipill – progestin only
Hormone actions:
Copper may prevent the sperm
• Prevents the ovaries from
from joining an egg
releasing an egg (ovulation)
• Thickens cervical mucus which prevents sperm from joining an egg
Can be used by breastfeeding mother when milk is established
BENEFITS
Nonprescription