1. Your Contraceptive Choices

2. Abstinence What it is and How it works
Abstinence means choosing not to have sex.
What’s Your Definition?
Refraining from all sexual behavior, including masturbation
Refraining from sexual behavior involving genital contact
Refraining from penetrative sexual practices
Many more definitions out there…its not enough to ask
“Have you had sex before?”
Saying No…
It doesn’t work if you only practice abstinence occasionally!
Cost: Free!!! Emotionally and financially!
Its the only thing that is 100% effective for preventing pregnancy and STIs

3. Advantages & Disadvantages of ABSTINENCE
100% prevents sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy
No medical or hormonal side effects
Postpone emotional and physical risks
Less likely to become infertile
Free! ($0)
Disadvantages
May be difficult to abstain
May not be prepared with back-up method if or when you choose to become sexually active

4. WITHDRAWAL What is it? How does it work?
The man pulls his penis out of the vagina before he ejaculates to keep the sperm from joining the egg
81% effective with typical use
96% effective with perfect use

5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Withdrawal
Full personal control over use; no need for special medical procedures or exams
Better than using no method at all
Free
Disadvantages
Must rely totally on partner to pull out in time – woman has no control
Inexperienced or young partner may not be able to withdraw in time
Pre-ejaculate -- possibility for sperm
No protection against any STIs

6. Periodic Abstinence What it is and How it Works
Identifying days when pregnancy is most likely to result and abstaining from sex
(also called Natural Family Planning or Rhythm Method)
Includes measuring basal body temperature, charting cycle on calendar, cervical mucus, and symptothermal methods
Called fertility awareness if using barriers or withdrawal method during fertile time

7. Effectiveness Calendar method – 87% - typical use 95% - perfect use
Basal body temperature – 80% - typical use
98% - perfect use
Cervical mucus – 80% - typical use
97% - perfect use
Symptothermal – 80% – typical use

8. Advantages and Disadvantages of Periodic Abstinence
Full personal control over use; no need for special medical procedures or examinations
No side effects
Free ($0)
Disadvantages
Does not protect against STIs
Not good for women who:
Have irregular cycles or menstrual problems
Inability to interpret fertility signs correctly
Have persistent reproductive system tract infections that affect the signs of fertility
Have partner unwilling to practice periodic abstinence

9. The Male Condom What is it and How does it work?
Keep sperm from entering the vagina during intercourse
It is a thin layer of latex (plastic) that covers the penis; polyurethane and tactylon (plastic) are available as well.
Rolled onto an erect penis
Once man ejaculates, must hold on to base of condom and remove himself from woman; gently pull off condom and discard
Removal must be done immediately before penis becomes soft (flaccid) to prevent spilling of semen.
A new one must be used before next sex act.

10. Effectiveness 86% – typical use 97% - perfect use
Nearly 100% if used with withdrawal

11. Advantages & Disadvantages of Male Condoms
Easy to buy
Inexpensive
Full personal control over use; no special procedures or exams
Side effects uncommon
Helps prevent pregnancy and most STIs
Can be used with other methods
Disadvantages
Can sometimes break
Need to plan ahead; have available when you have sex
Latex and/or Spermicide Allergies – other brands or types of plastic available for those who suffer
Loss of sensation

12. Condom Not Recommended For:
Women or Men who are uncomfortable touching the penis
Those who have an allergy to latex (rubber) or spermicide. Avanti and Trojan Supra brands have a polyurethane male condom (best) or natural membrane condoms (lamb skin)
Only 1-2% of women and men have such allergies

13. Family Planning Centers may give them away or charge very little
$$ Cost $$
$.30 - $1.00 each
Family Planning Centers may give them away or charge very little

14. The Female Condom What is it and How does it Work
Thin, loose-fitting and flexible plastic (polyurethane) tube worn inside the vagina
A soft ring at the closed end covers the cervix and keeps sperm from entering the vagina (fits like diaphram)
Outer ring covers the labia on the outside of the vagina
One time use only – thrown away after you use it and replaced with a new one before your next act of sex.

15. Effectiveness
79% with typical use
95% with
perfect use

16. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Female Condom
Available without a prescription
No hormonal side effects
Can be used for people with latex sensitivities
Prevents STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HPV, and HIV
Stays in place regardless of penis hardness – cannot fall off
Disadvantages
Difficult to use
Can break or leak
More expensive then the male condom
Does not contain spermicide

17. Side Effects There are no physical side effects
There is a chance though that it will break or slip during intercourse
DO NOT USE WITH MALE CONDOM!!!
(The friction will cause both to break)

18. About $2.50 per package/condom
Cost
About $2.50 per package/condom

19. Birth Control Pills What are they and How do they Work?
A combined oral contraceptive pill that releases the hormones estrogen and progestin
The pill is taken once a day
Helps to stop the release of the egg, stops sperm from entering cervix, and changes lining of the uterus to prevent egg from implanting.

20. Advantages and Disadvantages of Birth Control Pills
Studied for over 30 years – long-term safety well known
Periods become more regular
Less menstrual cramping, facial hair, acne, and menstrual flow
Reduces risk of ovarian and womb cancer and infections of tubes and ovaries
Strengthens bones by regulating hormones
Some protection from PID
Disadvantages
Must be taken daily; hard to remember to take
Side effects include irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, changes in mood, nausea, breast tenderness and headaches
Increased health risks when used with smoking
Slight increase in the risk of blood clots
Does not protect against STIs

21. Birth Control Not Recommended for Women who:
Cannot take estrogen due to current health status
Smoke
Over age 35
Have blood clots, impaired liver function or liver tumors, known or suspected breast cancer, vaginal bleeding, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease or severe headaches in their medical history
Do not have access to health care provider – requires a prescription from the provider

22. Effectiveness 92% - typical use 99.7% - perfect use Increased
effectiveness if
used with other
barrier methods

23. Cost $17.00-$21.00 for monthly pill packs
$35-$ for exam, if needed

24. Mini Pills What are they and How do they Work?
A special kind of oral contraceptive pill
Taken daily (one pill)
Contains the hormone progestin which works to prevent pregnancy by
stopping ovulation
and/or
thickening the cervical mucus
to stop the sperm from passing through

25. Advantages and Disadvantages of Mini Pills
Studied for more than 30 years; long-term safety well known
Stops monthly periods or causes extremely light periods
Contains no estrogen
Alternative for women over 35 who smoke
Decreased menstrual cramps and pain; relief from acne and facial hair
Decreased risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
Immediate reversibility
Disadvantages
Must take them every day at the same time
Effectiveness is compromised easier if taken with other medications because dose is very low
Does not protect against STIs
Not recommended for women who:
Have impaired liver function
Known or suspected breast cancer
Abnormal vaginal bleeding in medical history
Don’t have access to healthcare provider as they require a prescription

26. Effectiveness 95% - typical use 99.5% - perfect use Increased
effectiveness if
used with other
barrier methods

27. Cost $17.00 – $25.00 per monthly pill pack
$35.00-$ for exam, if needed

28. Other Types Spermicides/ Sponge Diaphragm or Cervical Cap Depo-Provera
Lunelle
IUD
Emergency Contraceptives
Implanon
CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH
NuvaRing
Male and Female Sterilization

29. MYTHS about birth control and contraceptives
A women will not get pregnant the first time she has sex
A women can only get pregnant once a month
A women will not get pregnant if her partner pulls out
A women will not get pregnant if she urinates or douches after sexual activity.

30. Good Resources www.plannedparenthood.org www.ivilliage.com