Birth Control Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood2010

Birth Control  Only abstinence can guarantee that you won’t become pregnant or get an STI  One in four sexually active teens has a sexually transmitted infection

Choosing a method  How effective will it be?  How affordable will it be?  Will it protect against pregnancy?  Will it protect against sexually transmitted infections?  How well will it fit into your lifestyle?

Two Main Types  Barrier  Hormonal Other Considerations  Over-the-Counter (OTC)  Prescription  Permanent (vasectomy, tubal ligation)

Hormonal Methods  Prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs  Thin the uterine lining to discourage implantation  Thicken the cervical mucous which helps block sperm  Reduce the risk of pregnancy only

Barrier methods  Condom – reduce STI risk  Diaphragm

Behavioral Methods  Abstinence (the only 100% effective way to not get pregnant or contract an STI)  Fertility Awareness Method (based on avoiding unprotected sex on days a woman is most fertile)

Fertility Awareness Method  An egg lives for about a day  Sperm can live within the female up to seven days  A woman is most likely to become pregnant if she has unprotected sex in the days before she ovulates

Condom  Barrier method  Free in nurse’s office or at P.P.; available OTC in drug stores and gas stations  Failure rate: 2% if always used correctly; 15% when not always used correctly  Reduces risk of STI transmission  Can be used with other methods  Can be used for vaginal, anal or oral sex

Condom use – Need to knows (remember peer resource?) 1.ALWAYS have consent 2.ALWAYS check expiration date 3.ALWAYS open package carefully 4.Pinch the tip

The Pill (Oral Contraception)  Hormonal Method  Taken daily by the female  Failure rate = less than 1% for those who take it consistently at the same time each day, 8% for those who don’t  Requires prescription, costs between $15-$50/month

 MOST EFFECTIVE  LEAST EFFECTIVE

Fertility Awareness Method  Not a barrier or horomonal method  25% failure rate  Does not protect against STIs  Requires careful & consistent tracking  Requires abstinence Facts

Fertility Awareness Method

Female Condom  Barrier Method  Plastic pouch with flexible rings at each end.  Widely available, $4 each  5% failure rate if used correctly, 14% if not always used correctly  Vaginal & anal intercourse

Birth Control Implant (Implanon)  Hormonal method  A flexible plastic implant (size of a cardboard matchstick) inserted under the skin of the upper arm  Protects against pregnancy for three years  Failure rate is less than 1%  The cost of the exam, Implanon, and insertion ranges from $400–$800. Removal costs between $75 and $150.

Spermicide  Barrier Method  Contraceptive foams block cervix with bubbles that immobilizes sperm.  Can also be a cream, jelly, film, or suppository  Can be used with a condom.  When used alone, 15% failure rate

The Patch  Hormonal method  Ppatch that is placed on the skin once a week for three weeks in a row, then removed the fourth week  Failure rate is less than 1% for those who use it correctly, 8% for those who don’t  $15-$50/month for a prescription

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill, Plan B)  Hormonal method  Can be taken in the first 120 hours after unprotected sex  When taken within 72, reduces the risk of pregnancy by 89%; after, by 75%  Costs from $10-$70 over-the-counter

The Ring (NuvaRing)  Hormonal Method  Small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina for three weeks, then taken out for the fourth week  Requires prescription ($15- $50/month)  Failure rate is less than 1% for those who use it correctly, 8% for those who don’t

The Shot (Depo-Provera)  Hormonal Method  One shot can prevent pregnancy for 3 months  Requires prescription, $35- $75 per injection  One of the most effective – failure rate is less than 1%

Diaphragm, Cervical Cap  Barrier Methods  Inserted into the vagina (must be fitted by a doctor every two years)  Between $60-$75  Used with spermicidal foam or gel  Failure rate between 6%-16% for diaphragm; 14% for cervical cap

The Sponge  Barrier Method  Inserted into the vagina, blocks entrance to the uterus  Costs $9-$15 for a pack of three over-the-counter  Used with spermicidal foam or gel, can be inserted hours before and left in for 24 hours  Failure rate is 9% for those who use it correctly, 16% for those who don’t

IUD  Hormonal (Mirena brand)  Implanted into the uterus by a doctor  Prevents sperm from joining with an egg by affecting the way they move  Costs between $175 and $650 up front, but lasts up to 12 years  Extremely effective – less than 1% failure rate