Here's a list of the many available types of contraception, and the pros and cons of using each.
| Method |
Pros |
Cons |
Effective-ness |
Birth Control Pills
 |
Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly
Make menstrual periods more regular and lighter
Decrease menstrual cramps and acne
Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and anemia Doesn't interrupt lovemaking |
Doesn't protect against STDs
Cost between $15-$50 per mont
Cost between $15-$50 per month if not covered by insurance
Need to remember to take every day at the same time
Can't be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications
Can cause side effects such as nausea, increased appetite, headaches, and, very rarely, blood clots
Need a prescription
Need to use a barrier method if a pill is missed or using certain medications | 95-99% |
Cervical Cap
 |
Can insert several hours before sexual intercourse
Can leave in place 24-48 hours, will give protected sex for up to 48 hours
Use less spermicide with the cap than with the diaphragm- no need to apply more spermicide with each act of intercourse |
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases
Cost $25-$50, plus the cost of spermicidal gel
Need to be fitted by a health care provider and need a prescription
Limited sizes available
Can't take out until 6-8 hours after intercourse
May get moved out of place
Some women may be allergic to material of cap or to spermicide
Need to get a new one every so often
Can't be used by women with a history of abnormal Pap tests | 80-94% |
Contraceptive Sponge
 |
Can insert right before or several hours before sexual intercourse and will provide protection against pregnancy for a total of 24 hours Don't need a prescription |
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases and may increase the risk of HIV infection with multiple daily acts of sexual intercourse
Can't take out until 6 hours after sexual intercourse
Cannot be used by women that are allergic to nonoxynol-9 (in the spermicides) | 87% |
Diaphragm
 |
Can be put in place right before intercourse or 2-3 hours before intercourse Don't need to take out between acts of sexual intercourse (protects against pregnancy for about 6 hours, but need to reapply spermicide) |
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases
Need to get fitted by a health care provider and need a prescription
Can't take out until 6 hours after intercourse
Cost $25-$45, plus the cost of spermicidal gel
May get moved out of place during sexual intercourse
Some women may be allergic to the diaphragm or to the spermicide
Need to get a new one every so often (need to get one if have 10 pound weight gain or loss and after pregnancy)
Can be messy
Need to reapply spermicide with each act of sexual intercourse
Can cause an increase in urinary tract infections | 80-94% |
Depo-Provera Hormonal Injection

|
Each injection provides 3 months of protection against pregnancy
Very effective against pregnancy
Many women stop getting their menstrual period while getting injections. (This is not a medical problem and menstrual periods usually return 6-18 months after you stop taking injections)
Helps protect against uterine cancer |
Doesn't protect against STDs
Need to see your health care provider every 3 months for an injection
Costs $30-$75 every 3 months for 1 injection
May have side effects such as weight gain, tiredness, and possibly a decrease in bone density
Many women have irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting for the first 3 to 6 months | 99% |
Female Condom

|
Provide protection against STDs (new product, so not clear how much protection given) and pregnancy
Can be inserted well before intercourse
Male does not need to withdraw right after ejaculation, as he does with a male condom
Cheap- each costs about $2.50 |
May move, be noisy, or uncomfortable
Can only use for one act of sexual intercourse | 79-95% |
Hormonal Implants
|
Long-term method of birth control (protects against pregnancy from 24 hours after insertion, for up to 5 years after insertion depending on the type)- can remove whenever you want to or can wait for 2 to 5 years to remove
Very effective against pregnancy May cause light or no menstrual periods |
No protection against sexually transmitted diseases
Requires minor surgery and insertion of the tiny rod(s) underneath the skin
Requires minor surgery to remove capsules
Can cause side effects such as irregular menstrual periods, depression, nervousness, hair loss, and weight gain
Could have infection at area where capsules implanted
Can't be used by women with certain medical conditions and by women who use certain medications | 99% |
Hormone Patch (Ortho-Evra)

|
|
|
99% |
Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)

|
Very effective against pregnancy
Provide protection against pregnancy as long as in place in your uterus- protects as soon as inserted (so don't need to remember to use contraception if you have sexual intercourse)
Doesn't need daily attention- just need to check to make sure in place at least once a month at time of menstrual period
Comfortable- you and your partner cannot feel the IUD, although you partner may feel the string
The levonorgestrel IUD (Mirena) lessens menstrual flow and can be used to treat heavy periods Can be removed at any time |
Doesn't protect against STDs
Needs to be inserted by a health care provider
Should not be used by women who might get a sexually transmitted disease. It is best for women who have already had children and are in a steady relationship with one partner.
Can fall out or can rarely puncture the uterus
The copper IUD can have side effects such as menstrual cramping, longer and/or heavier menstrual periods, and spotting between menstrual periods
Slightly higher risk for infection in the few weeks after insertion | 99% |
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) for Women Who are Breastfeeding
|
Natural
Costs nothing
No side effects Effective against pregnancy during the first 6 months after childbirth in women who have not had their menstrual period after childbirth and are feeding their babies only breast milk |
Only can be used by women who have given birth in last 6 months, fully breast feeding, and have not had menstrual period after childbirth
Doesn't protect against STDs
Only effective until menstrual period returns
May need to use a lubricant with sexual intercourse because of vaginal dryness | 98% |
Male Condom

|
Lowers risk of STDs
Effective against pregnancy
Contraception that provides the most protection against sexually transmitted diseases (latex condoms are best)
Don't cost much (50 cents each), can buy at almost any drug store (don't need a prescription)
"Last longer" when using a condom Allow men to have an active part in preventing pregnancy |
Have to use a new one every time you have sexual intercourse (can only be used once)
May disrupt/interrupt lovemakingCan break
Women may be allergic to latex | 86-97% |
Natural Family Planning (Rhythm Method)
|
Natural
Approved by many religions
Woman gets to know her body and menstrual cycles Can be successful with partners that are very careful and don't have sex during ovulation period and several days before and after |
No protection against STDs
Need to figure out when ovulating for each month, since different from one month to the next
Requires a lot of work- need many directions from health care provider and need to figure out when ovulating
Can't have sexual intercourse for at least a week each month (during ovulation and several days before and after)
Women with irregular periods should not use- failure rate is high | 76-98% |
Spermicide
|
Don't cost much, available at many drug stores, don't need a prescription |
Doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and may increase the risk of HIV infection in women who have sex multiple times daily because of irritation from the spermicide
Effectiveness usually lasts only one hour (need to reapply each time have sexual intercourse)
Some women and men may be allergic to spermicides
May interrupt lovemaking (some forms need to be inserted at 10-20 minutes before intercourse)
Has a lower effectiveness against pregnancy than many other types of contraception- should use with another form of contraception to increase effectiveness
May change bacteria living in vagina and increase urinary tract infections | 74-94% |
Tubal Ligation

|
Very effective against pregnancy One time decision that will provide protection against pregnancy forever |
Need to have minor surgery
Permanent (although it is possible to undo sterilization with major surgery, it is not always successful)
Only should be used by women who are absolutely sure that they do not want any or any more children
Expensive- ranges from $1000-$2500- but cost for contraception spread over rest of life
No protection against STDs | 99% |
Vaginal Hormonal Ring (NuvaRing)

|
|
|
99% |
Withdrawal
|
Natural, so no side effects
Doesn't cost anything Allows men to be an active part of preventing pregnancy |
Not very effective method of contraception
Doesn't protect against STDs
Difficult for male to always predict ejaculation
May decrease sexual pleasure of woman since need to always be thinking about what is happening during sexual intercourse
No control by women- need to rely completely on men to prevent pregnancy | 81-96% |