Birth Control  Abstinence=Abstaining from having sexual relations with anyone.  Effectiveness=100% against STD’s & Pregnancy  COST=Free  Birth Control Pill=28 day pill pack that prevents ovulation. Must have a prescription and exam. Contains both progesterone and estrogen.  Effectiveness=99% against pregnancy  Cost=$5.00-$20.00

Progestin in pill thickens mucus Causes No Ovulation Must be taken daily, time released Mini Pills

Norplant  Minor surgical procedure where device is placed under the skin. Prevents ovulation by releasing a hormone into the body for a 5 year time period.   Cost: $400-$800   Effectiveness: 99%   Requires healthcare provider visit: Yes   Timing of use or replacement: Last 3 yrs   Protection from STDs/STIs: No   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): Yes   Possible side effects: Irregular or no periods

Intrauterine Device (IUD) The IUD is a small, T-shaped piece of flexible plastic that fits inside a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are 2 types of IUD's: copper and progestin (a hormone found in birth control pills). The copper IUD lasts 10 years and the progestin IUD lasts 5 years.   Cost: $250-$950   Effectiveness: 99%   Requires healthcare provider visit: Yes   Timing of use or replacement: Last 5-7 yrs   Protection from STDs/STIs: No   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): Yes   Possible side effects: Irregular or no periods.

Depro Provera Hormone injection that lasts for 3 months to prevent pregnancy  Cost: $35-$75  Effectiveness: 97%  Requires healthcare provider visit: Yes  Timing of use or replacement: Effective for 3 months  Protection from STDs/STIs: No  Quickly reversible: No  Private (not detectable by partner): Yes  Possible side effects: Irregular or no periods, weight gain

Diaphragm   The diaphragm is a soft latex thimble shaped dome that a woman inserts into her vagina before sexual intercourse. It fits over her cervix and is held in place by her vaginal muscles. The diaphragm works by blocking the opening to the uterus so that sperm cannot enter.   Cost: $15-$75   Effectiveness: 84%   Requires healthcare provider visit: Yes   Timing of use or replacement: Last up to 2yrs   Protection from STDs/STIs: No   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): No   Possible side effects: Irritation from latex or spermicides, increased risk of vaginal infection

Contraceptive Patch ("The Patch")  The contraceptive patch is a thin plastic patch -- about the size of a matchbook - that a woman wears on her skin to prevent pregnancy. The patch contains hormones just like the ones in most birth control pills. It releases these hormones through the skin and into the bloodstream   Cost: $15-$50   Effectiveness: 92%   Requires healthcare provider visit: Yes   Timing of use or replacement: Replace weekly   Protection from STDs/STIs: No   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): No   Possible side effects: Nausea, headaches, breast tenderness

Cervical Cap  The cervical cap is a small latex cup that a woman inserts into her vagina before sexual intercourse. The cervical cap fits snugly over the woman's cervix. It is smaller than the diaphragm   Cost: $60-$80   Effectiveness: Moderately Effective (71-86%)   Requires healthcare provider visit: Yes   Timing of use or replacement: Lasts up to 2 yrs.   Protection from STDs/STIs: No   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): No   Possible side effects: Irritation from spermicide, increased risk of vaginal infection

Male Condom  Protects against pregnancy & STD’s.  Available over the counter.  Do not buy Lambskin only Latex   Cost: $1.50   Effectiveness: 85%   Requires healthcare provider visit: No   Timing of use or replacement: 1 use   Protection from STDs/STIs: Yes   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): No   Possible side effects: Irritation from latex

Female Condom  Fits inside the vagina with outer edges covering labia (External genitalia)   Cost: $4   Effectiveness: 79%   Requires healthcare provider visit: No   Timing of use or replacement: 1 use   Protection from STDs/STIs: Yes   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): No   Possible side effects: None

Film  2 in by 2 in paper thin sheet with a chemical that kills sperm. It forms a block over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.  Must be inserted before intercourse   Cost: $8   Effectiveness: Moderately Effective (71%)   Requires healthcare provider visit: No   Timing of use or replacement: Use with each act of intercourse   Protection from STDs/STIs: No   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): No   Possible side effects: Irritation from spermicide, increased risk of vaginal infection

Withdrawal TTTThe Pull-Out method OOOOf every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, 27 will become pregnant each year. PPPPre-ejaculate can pick up enough sperm left in the urethra from a previous ejaculation to cause pregnancy. CCost: No cost EEffectiveness: 82% RRequires healthcare provider visit: No TTiming of use or replacement: Use with each act of intercourse PProtection from STDs/STIs: No QQuickly reversible: Yes PPrivate (not detectable by partner): No PPossible side effects: IIrritation from spermicide, increased risk of vaginal infection

Emergency Pill (Plan B)  EC (sometimes called "the morning after pill") is a special dose of birth control pills that prevents pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The sooner EC is taken, the more effective it is. EC is very safe. It is not an abortion pill. EC works mainly by preventing the ovary from releasing an egg.   Cost: $10-$77   Effectiveness: Moderately Effective (75-89%)   Requires healthcare provider visit: No   Timing of use or replacement: Can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex   Protection from STDs/STIs: No   Quickly reversible: Yes   Private (not detectable by partner): Yes   Possible side effects: Nausea, irregular next period following use

 Cost: $350-$1000 Effectiveness: Extremely Effective (99%)  Requires healthcare provider visit: Yes  Timing of use or replacement: Permanent  Protection from STDs/STIs: No  Quickly reversible: No  Private (not detectable by partner): Yes  Possible side effects: Short-term tenderness and bruising, reactions to local anesthesia, infection Vasectomy   A small hole is made in the scrotum to reach both sperm transport tubes. The tubes are then tied and cut or sealed.

Female Sterilization   Your fallopian tubes are tied and cut or sealed, usually through very small incisions into the abdomen.   Cost:$1,500-$6,000   Effectiveness: Extremely Effective (99%)   Requires healthcare provider visit: Yes   Timing of use or replacement: Permanent   Protection from STDs/STIs: No   Quickly reversible: No   Private (not detectable by partner): Yes   Possible side effects: Potential complications associated with anesthesia and surgery; cramping, pain, bleeding or spotting on day of procedure; perforation of the uterus and /or fallopian tubetenderness and bruising, reactions to local anesthesia, infection