Birth Control and Contraception Methods, effectiveness, and important facts

Categories of Birth Control Methods 100% protection Barrier method Spermicide Hormone treatment POWER 3!!! Non-methods Permanent Methods

100% Protection ABSTINENCE Not having sex 100% effective (if no semen enters vagina) No health concerns Protects against both STDs and pregnancy May feel pressured, or may be difficult not to act on sexual feelings

What are Barrier Methods? Birth control devices that create a “wall” to prevent semen from entering the uterus. Male condom Female condom Diaphragm or cervical cap

Barrier Method MALE CONDOM – “rubber” Thin piece of latex or polyurethane that fits over erect penis and catches semen during ejaculation 86 – 99% effective Some people allergic to latex Easy to obtain, easy to use, protects against STDs and pregnancy Must be put on right before intercourse, and some say reduces feeling

Male Condom

Barrier Method FEMALE CONDOM Polyurethane pouch that is inserted into the vagina, flexible ring keeps it in place, penis is inserted into condom during intercourse, prevents semen from entering vagina 79 – 95% effective Flexible ring may irritate the vagina or penis Easy to obtain, protects against STDs and pregnancy, can be used by those with latex allergies Takes practice in using it correctly, more expensive than male condoms

Female Condom

Barrier Method DIAPHRAGM and CERVICAL CAP Small rubber cup that fits inside the vagina, and covers the cervix, used with spermicide to kill sperm, must be ordered for proper fit by a doctor 80 – 94% effective More bladder infections in women, small chance of toxic shock syndrome, spermicide may irritate vagina or penis Can be put in up to 2 hours before sex Takes practice in putting it in, can be messy, must be left in place 6 to 8 hours after sex, provides no protection against STDs

Diaphragm

Cervical Cap

Spermicide Chemicals that kill sperm in the form of suppositories, creams, or lubricant, put into the vagina before sex 74% effective May cause itching or irritation to vagina or penis Can buy at the store, easy to use, can be combined with condoms or diaphragms for added effectiveness Can be messy, no protection against STDs

Spermicide

What are Hormone Treatments? Synthetic female hormones designed to trick the female’s body into thinking it is pregnant. They stop the ovaries from releasing an egg every month. Come in various forms: “The pill” “The shot” “The patch” “The implant” The “Morning After Pill”

The Birth Control Pill Pill with hormones taken every day. Stop ovaries from releasing an egg every month. Creates cervical mucus blocking the passage of sperm into the uterus. 95% effective Small chance of blood clots, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Mood swings. Should not be used by smokers. Simple and easy to use, less bleeding and cramping during period, good to use with condoms. No protection against STDs, takes one month to begin working, does not work when on antibiotics, must remember to take at the same time every day, requires a doctor’s visit and exam.

“The Pill”

Depo Provera – “The 3 Month Shot” Hormone injection every 3 months. Stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Creates cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. 99% effective Should not be used by women who smoke. Increased risk of blood clots, liver disease and heart disease. Mood swings. Lasts for 3 months. Decreases bleeding and cramping during period. Good to use with condoms. Requires a doctor’s visit and exam. May cause irregular periods or none at all. Possible weight gain. No protection against STDs. May not be able to get pregnant for a few months after shots end.

Lunelle – “The Monthly Shot” Hormone injection once a month. Stops eggs from being released and creates cervical mucus. 99% effective Small chance of blood clots, heart attack, and strokes. Should not be used by smokers. Mood swings. Lasts one month. Less bleeding and cramping during periods. Less acne. Good to use with condoms. Requires a doctor’s visit and exam. May cause irregular periods or none at all. Possible weight gain. No protection against STDs.

“The Shot” Lunelle

Norplant – “The Implant” Tiny capsules put under the skin of the arm. Slowly release hormones into the blood. Stop the release of eggs. Creates cervical mucus. 99% effective Small chance of blood clots, heart attack, and strokes. Should not be used by smokers. Mood swings. Lasts for 5 years. Can be removed any time and the woman can get pregnant right away. Good to use with condoms. Expensive ($400 - $650). May cause irregular bleeding or no periods at all. Requires doctor’s visit and exam. No protection against STDs.

Norplant - “The Implant”

“The Patch” Thin patch with hormones that you stick on your buttocks, abdomen, upper torso, or outter arm that you change once a week. Prevents the release of eggs and creates cervical mucus. 99% effective Small chance of blood clots, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Should not be used by smokers. Mood swings. Simple and easy to use, less bleeding and cramping during period, good to use with condoms. No protection against STDs, requires a doctor’s visit and exam, must remember to change it weekly

“The Patch”

The “Morning After Pill” Two large doses of hormones taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Forces the uterus to shed its lining and begin bleeding. 75% effective Small chance of blood clots, heart attack, and strokes. Should not be used by smokers. Severe mood swings. Easy to use, can be used if normal contraceptive method failed. May cause nausea or vomiting. Next period may be irregular. Only effective if taken within 3 days of unprotected sex. Requires doctor’s visit and exam.

“Morning After Pill”

Power 3!!! “The Pill” + condom + spermicide 99% effective See pill, condom, and spermicide for health effects. Both the male and female take responsibility. Three forms of protection used at once. If one form fails, there are two more for safety. Protects against STDs and pregnancy. Must remember to take the pill everyday. Can be expensive if not using a clinic.

Power 3!!!

Non-methods – No protection against STDs Withdrawal – pulling out of a woman’s vagina before ejaculation. 73% effective. Natural Family Planning – Woman takes samples of her cervical mucus to determine the week that she can get pregnant in a month. Uses a barrier method during that time. 85% effective Denial – Thinking “It won’t happen to me” and having unprotected sex. 15% effective.

Permanent Birth Control Tubal sterilization – The female’s fallopian tubes are cut, tied or burned. 99.5% effective. Requires counseling and surgery. Can be painful, but heals quickly. Vasectomy – A man’s vas deferens are cut. 99.9% effective. Requires counseling and surgery. Less painful than tubal sterilization. Heals quickly.

Tubal Sterilization

Vasectomy