1. Contraception Year 9 Health

2. Contraceptive Pill How it Works: Stop your body from releasing an egg Cause the cervical mucus to thicken, stopping sperm from getting into the uterus Advantages: Regular and lighter periods Fewer cramps and PMS symptoms Protect against ovarian cancer, ovarian cysts and iron deficiency Disadvantages: Have to remember to take it every day Can cause spotting between periods, mild nausea or breast tenderness Won’t protect against STIs Reliability: 99.7% effective when taken at the same time every day Approximate Cost: $15-$50 depending on the type of pill you have been prescribed

3. Depo Provera How it Works: An injection that prevents a woman from releasing an egg Also thickens the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus Advantages: Easy to manage- one injection every 3 months More regular periods Periods are lighter Disadvantages: Can cause increased risk of breast cancer, osteoporosis or cervical cancer Doesn’t protect against STIs Possible fatigue, dizziness or abdominal pain Reliability: 99.7% effective with regular injections Approximate Cost: $30-$75, plus the cost of a doctor’s visit

4. Emergency Pill How it Works: Taken within 5 days AFTER sexual intercourse Can prevent a woman from releasing an egg, but will not work if an egg has already been released Advantages: Can be used if you had intercourse and didn’t use birth control, if you’ve used birth control incorrectly, or if you had unprotected sex against your will Disadvantages: Nausea Fatigue Breast tenderness Dizziness Abdominal pain May change the duration and timing of your next period Reliability: If taken with 3 days of sexual intercourse, it will reduce your chance of pregnancy by 75%-89% Approximate Cost: $30 for one pill

5. Intrauterine Device (IUD) How it Works: Changes uterine and tubal fluids Can also thicken cervical mucus, preventing the sperm from getting into the uterus Advantages: Provides effective, long term, reversible protection against pregnancy Can be left in the uterus for 5-10 years Disadvantages: Can cause longer, heavier periods Possible menstrual spotting and cramps Can be uncomfortable to insert Does not protect against STIs Reliability: 99.9% effective Approximate Cost: $200-$400

6. Tubal Ligation How it Works: A surgical procedure that blocks the fallopian tubes An egg can’t move down to the uterus and the sperm can’t reach the egg Advantages: Provides excellent protection from pregnancy permanently Disadvantages: Expensive Permanent and irreversible Does not protect against STIs Reliability: 99.5% effective Approximate Cost: $1000-$4000 depending on your level of health insurance

7. Female Condoms How it Works: Lines the vagina during sexual intercourse and provides a physical barrier for sperm Advantages: Provides protection against pregnancy and some STIs Easily available without a prescription Can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse Disadvantages: Takes practice to learn how to insert it correctly A new condom must be used every time- you need to plan ahead More expensive than male condoms Reliability: 95% effective when used correctly Approximate Cost: $5 per condom

8. Diaphragm How it Works: A latex cup that prevents pregnancy when used with a spermicide Inserted over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus Advantages: Can be used when needed with very few side effects Can be put in up to six hours before intercourse Disadvantages: Some people are allergic to latex Some people are allergic to spermicide Planning ahead is required Takes some practice to insert Reliability: 94% effective Approximate Cost: $15-$75. Needs to be fitted by a doctor and replaced every 2 years.

9. Ovulation Prediction How it Works: Ovulation days are calculated using the basal body temperature method, cervical mucus method, or calendar method Couples only have sexual intercourse on days where the woman isn’t likely to be fertile Advantages: No health risks There is nothing to buy Acceptable for couples with religious concerns Disadvantages: Doesn’t protect against STIs Isn’t very effective at preventing pregnancy Reliability: Around 75% effective Approximate Cost: Free

10. Condoms How it Works: A thin sheath that fits over the penis Works as a physical barrier to stop sperm from entering the vagina Advantages: Protect against transmission of STIs Inexpensive Easy to buy Disadvantages: Some people are allergic to latex A new condom must be used every time- some planning ahead is needed Reliability: 98% effective Approximate Cost: $6-$15 per pack

11. Vasectomy How it Works: Simple surgery where tubes that carry sperm up to the penis are cut and sealed Sperm cannot join the other fluids when ejaculation occurs Advantages: Safe and cost-effective Simpler and safer than female sterilisation Disadvantages: Can be expensive if you don’t have medical insurance Permanent and irreversible Does not protect against STIs Reliability: 99.8% effective Approximate Cost: $500-$1 500, depending on your level of health insurance

12. Withdrawal How it Works: Prevents fertilisation- the sperm does not reach the egg Advantages: No health risks There is nothing to buy Acceptable for couples with religious concerns Disadvantages: Difficult to withdraw just before ejaculation Does not protect against STIs Reliability: About 75% effective if it is used perfectly Approximate Cost: Free

13. Spermicides How it Works: Prevents pregnancy by killing sperm It can come as a foam, gel or cream Advantages: Simple and convenient Can be bought easily without prescription Disadvantages: Do not prevent against STIs Must be used each time you have intercourse May increase risk of vaginal infections Reliability: If used by itself, spermicide is 70-75% effective in preventing pregnancy Approximate Cost: $7-$15

14. Abstinence How it Works: Choosing not to have sexual intercourse The penis does not go near the vagina Advantages: No risk of pregnancy Lowers the risk of STIs Disadvantages: There can be some pressure to say ‘no’ to sexual intercourse Reliability: It is the only form of contraception that is 100% effective Approximate Cost: Free