Birth Control Methods

Abstinence  Category Abstinence  How it works No intercourse  Side effects none  % Effectiveness 100%  Cost Free

1.Birth Control Pills  Category: Chemical  How it works: Prevents ovulation  Side Effects: Nausea, mood changes, weight gain, irregular bleeding  % Effectiveness: 92-99% when taken daily  Cost: $20-35/Month plus doctor exam fee

Depo-Provera  Category: Chemical  How it works: Prevents ovulation Must get an injection every 3 months  Side Effects: irregular bleeding, nausea, headaches  % Effectiveness 97-99%  Cost: $30-75 per injection plus doctor visit fee

IUD- Intrauterine Device  Category: Barrier  How it works: Prevents implantation of a fertilized egg, prevents egg from meeting sperm  Side effects: Increased cramps, heavier periods, irregular bleeding  % Effectiveness: 99%  Cost: $

The Patch (Ortho-Evra)  Category Chemical  How it works Prevents ovulation  Side Effects Skin irritation, irregular bleeding, not as effective on heavier women  % Effectiveness 99%  Cost $30-40/month supply

Condom– Male and Female  Category barrier  How it works Collects sperm and blocks it from entering vagina  Side Effects None unless you are allergic to latex  % Effectiveness 85% if used correctly  Cost About $.50 each-male About $1.00 each- female

Diaphragm/Cervical Cap/Sponge  Category Mechanical/Barrier  How it works Blocks sperm from entering uterus. Must be used with spermicide  Side Effects Frequent bladder infections, cannot be used if allergic to latex, may be painful to use  % Effectiveness 85% when used correctly  Cost $15-75 plus cost of doctor exam and fitting for cervical cap and diaphragm

Spermicidal Foams, Gels, Creams  Category Chemical/ mechanical  How it works Create a physical barrier for sperm, also contain a sperm killing chemical  Side Effects May cause irritation  % Effectiveness 78%, increased when used with other forms of birth control  Cost $10 per kit

Natural Family Planning  Category Periodic abstinence  How it works Monitor changes in body to predict “safe and unsafe” days of the month  Side effects none  % Effectiveness 75% effective  Cost none

Withdrawal  Category Abstinence?  How it works Male pulls penis out before ejaculation  Side Effects None  % Effectiveness Less than 75%  Cost Free

Tubal Ligation  Category Permanent, surgical sterilization  How it works Fallopian tube are cut and tied, egg cannot reach uterus  Side Effects Soreness, discomfort after procedure  % Effectiveness Over 99%  Cost $ , sometimes covered by insurance

Vasectomy  Category Permanent, surgical sterilization  How it works Vas deferens cut and tied, no sperm in semen  Side Effects Initial pain, soreness  % Effectiveness Over 99%  Cost $ , may be covered by insurance

Birth Control Myths  Myths: Don't Believe Everything You Hear  1. Myth - A girl can't get pregnant if it is her first time. Truth – A girl is just as likely to get pregnant her first time as any other time she has sex. A girl starts ovulating when she starts menstruating, not after she starts having sex.  2. Myth – You won't get pregnant if you have sex during your period. Truth – You may be less likely to get pregnant during your period, but having sex during your period does not prevent pregnancy from happening a few days later. Only 30% of women ovulate between the 10th and 17th days of their cycles, the other 70% ovulate before or after those days, including during their periods.  3. Myth – Having sex in the bathtub (swimming pool, lake, river, etc.) will keep you from getting pregnant. Truth – There is nothing in the water that prevents pregnancy from happening or kills the sperm cells. The sperm cells are already inside the woman and have started their journey up through the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Birth Control Myths  4. Myth - Douching with Coke or Pepsi right after sex will prevent pregnancy. Truth – Douching with either of these will only create a sticky mess. Sperm swim fast! By the time the woman gets up, the sperm have already started their journey, and only the lack of ovulation, thick cervical fluid, or decreased lining of the uterus will prevent pregnancy at this point.  5. Myth – Jump up and down or cough really hard after sex and you won't get pregnant. Truth – Just like using a douche, or having sex in water, these don't work. Although some of the ejaculate will 'fall out' if you jump or cough, more than enough of the sperm cells are already well on their way to the uterus for pregnancy to occur.

Birth Control Myths  6. Myth – If the woman/man doesn't reach orgasm the woman won't get pregnant. Truth – A woman can get pregnant whether or not she has an orgasm. The orgasm does not cause ovulation, hormones do. A man does not need to ejaculate for the woman to get pregnant. Sperm are released before ejaculation happens and can result in pregnancy.  7. Myth – Women need to take a break from the pill. Truth – There is no reason for women to stop taking the pill or any other birth control method unless they want to get pregnant, are switching methods, or are no longer having sex.  8. Myth – Two condoms are better than one. Truth – You should not 'double up' your condoms. Wearing two (or more) condoms at the same time actually increases the risk of them either tearing or splitting. When it comes to using condoms, one at a time is best and most effective.

Birth Control Myths  9. Myth – Drinking Mountain Dew before or after sex kills sperm and prevents pregnancy. Truth – Actually drinking Mountain Dew can 'excite' the sperm cells causing them to swim faster. The caffeine (and all other ingredients) in this soda does not prevent pregnancy.  10. Myth – If a girl has not started having periods, she can't get pregnant. Truth – A girl can ovulate before she has her first period, which means she can get pregnant before she ever has a period.