What is Contraception?
Contraception is the planned use of methods or devices to prevent
pregnancy. Contraception is also called birth control or family planning.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended.
Today, there are many different types of birth control available. If
you’re sexually active and you don’t want to get pregnant, you and
your partner should use birth control.
All types of birth control are safe and prevent pregnancy. There are
many things to think about when choosing a birth control method
or device. The first step is to learn about your choices of birth
control. This will help you and your partner make a decision. You
should talk with your medical provider about this.
Things to consider when choosing a method or device:
• Your general health
• How often you have sex
• The number of sex partners you have
• How well each method works to prevent pregnancy
• Possible side effects
• How comfortable you feel using the method
• Some methods take time to learn how to use properly
• Only condoms offer protection from sexually
transmitted infections
• Some methods can be bought at the store, others require a
prescription or surgery
• Do you want to have children someday
There is no right or wrong answer. It’s important to find the method that
works for you and your partner. All methods work the best when used
correctly, every time you have sex. Otherwise, you may become pregnant.
Illinois Client Enrollment Services will send you information about your health plan
choices when it is time for you to make a health plan choice and during your Open
Enrollment period.
www.fhnchicago.com
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Zadzwoń pod numer 1-888-346-4968 (TTY: 711).
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The different types of birth control are grouped by the way they work to prevent pregnancy.
Effectiveness of Family Planning Methods
Most
Effective
Reversible
Intrauterine Device
(IUD)
Implant
Male Sterilization
(Vasectomy)
Permanent
Female Sterilization
(Abdominal, Laparoscopic, Hysteroscopic)
Less than 1 pregnancy
per 100 women in a year
0.05 %*
LNG - 0.2 % Copper T - 0.8 %
Injectable
Pill
0.15 %
Patch
SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI
Diaphragm
SAT
Patch, Ring: Keep in place,
change on time.
2
3
4
9%
6%
Male Condom
18 or more pregnancies
per 100 women in a year
18 %
21 %
JANUARY
1
8
15
22
29
Least
Effective
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
1
5
12
19
26
2
6
13
20
27
3
7
14
21
28
4
9%
9%
Female Condom
Fertility-Awareness
Based Methods
Injectable: Get repeat
injections on time.
Pills: Take a pill each day.
1
6-12 pregnancies per
100 women in a year
After procedure, little or
nothing to do or remember.
Vasectomy and
hysteroscopic sterilization:
Use another method for
first 3 months.
0.5 %
Ring
How to make your method
most effective
Withdrawal
22 %
12 %
Sponge
24 % parous women
12 % nulliparous women
Spermicide
Sp
erm
icid
e
Diaphragm: Use correctly
every time you have sex.
Condoms, sponge,
withdrawal, spermicides:
Use correctly every time
you have sex.
Fertility awareness-based
methods: Abstain or
use condoms on fertile
days. Newest methods
(Standard Days Method
and TwoDay Method)
may be the easiest to use
and consequently more
effective.
24 %
28 %
* The percentages indicate the number out of every 100 women who experienced an unintended pregnancy
within the first year of typical use of each contraceptive method.
CS 242797
CONDOMS SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS.
Other Methods of Contraception
Lactational Amenorrhea Method: LAM is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception.
Emergency Contraception: Emergency contraceptive pills or a copper IUD after unprotected
intercourse substantially reduces risk of pregnancy.
Adapted from World Health Organization (WHO) Department of Reproductive Health and Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg
School of Public Health/Center for Communication Programs (CCP). Knowledge for health project. Family planning: a global
handbook for providers (2011 update). Baltimore, MD; Geneva, Switzerland: CCP and WHO; 2011; and Trussell J. Contraceptive
failure in the United States. Contraception 2011;83:397–404.
If you have any questions about contraception, call Member Services.
The phone number to call is 1-888-FHN-4YOU (346-4968) or talk to
your medical provider.
References
World Health Organization
Department of Reproductive Health and Research
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office on Women’s Health
Telephone: 1-800-994-9662
http://www.womenshealth.gov