1. Abstinence
DESCRIPTION: No sex or intimate contact until you’re married or mature enough to handle what happens with sexual intimacy. “Outercourse” is a term used to describe intimate contact short of intercourse
EFFECTIVENESS: 100% effective if no semen enters the vagina.
SIDE EFFECTS: You won’t have to worry about getting pregnant or getting a sexually transmitted infection. And you won’t be loaded down with a relationship that can get sticky and hard to handle.
WHERE TO GET IT: You’ve got it! “NO” is one of the first words you ever learned.

2. Natural Family Planning
DESCRIPTION: Natural methods that require a lot of self-control from both partners. The Billings Method: checking cervical mucus to determine women’s fertile period based on changes in vaginal discharge that occur just before she’s fertile.
EFFECTIVENESS: 85%-97%. Pretty risky. Rhythm or calendar method.
SIDE EFFECTS: No side effects but no protection against sexually transmitted disease either. Natural Family Planning demands trust, communication, and a supportive relationship.
WHERE TO GET IT: Clinics or medical professionals offer instruction in the Billings Method.

3. Male Condom
DESCRIPTION: Thin latex or polyurethane disposable sheath (should be lubricated with a strong spermicide) worn over the penis during sex.
EFFECTIVENESS: 86%-98% if used correctly every time. More effective if used with film or foam.
SIDE EFFECTS: If either partner is allergic try another brand. A condom should be used even if she is on the pill, has a IUD, a Norplant, uses Depo Provera, is wearing a diaphragm, or if she has had a vasectomy to protect against STIs.
WHERE TO GET IT: Condoms and pouches are available at family planning and medical clinics, drug stores, in dispensers in men’s and women’s bathrooms, by mail or on internet.

4. Female Condom
DESCRIPTION: Pre-lubricated pouch with open ring at one end, closed ring at other. Closed ring anchored between cervix and vagina, open ring just outside body.
EFFECTIVENESS: 79%-95% effective if used perfectly.
SIDE EFFECTS: No. If you are allergic, ask your health care provider for suggestions.
WHERE TO GET IT: Condoms and pouches are available at family planning and medical clinics, drug stores, in dispensers in men’s and women’s bathrooms, by mail or on internet.

5. Spermicides (Films)
DESCRIPTION: 2”x2” folding film, a little thicker than plastic wrap, containing a strong spermicide. When folded, the film is placed in the vagina to form a barrier the keeps sperm from entering the uterus.
EFFECTIVENESS: 72%-94% effective if used perfectly. 99% effective when using a condom
SIDE EFFECTS: Allergy possible. If you experience vaginal, penile, or bladder irritation, use another form of birth control.
WHERE TO GET IT: Drug store, family planning or medical clinic. No medical exam or prescription needed. Lots of contraceptives on drug store shelves.

6. Spermicides (Foam/Suppositories)
DESCRIPTION: Sperm-killing foam OR suppository inserted into vagina before having sex. Be sure the product you use contains a strong spermicide to protect you from pregnancy and STIs.
EFFECTIVENESS: 71% effective if foam is used alone (Not good). 98% effective if partner uses a condom too.
SIDE EFFECTS: Allergy possible. If you experience vaginal, penile, or bladder irritation, use another form of birth control.
WHERE TO GET IT: Drug store, family planning or medical clinic. No medical exam or prescription needed. Lots of contraceptives on drug store shelves.

7. Diaphragm Cervical Cap
DESCRIPTION: The diaphragm and cervical cap are barrier birth control devices tailored to fit over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. Caps come in different sizes and have different instructions and can be left in place twice as long.
EFFECTIVENESS: Cervical Cap: 80%-90% effective before child birth, 60%-80% effective after. Diaphragm: 80%-94% if used perfectly. Weight changes damages effectiveness. Get professional advice.
SIDE EFFECTS: None unless spermicide causes irritation. If it does, change to another brand of spermicide. Using a diaphragm or cap alone won’t protect you from getting AIDS or other STIs. Insist on condom use
WHERE TO GET IT: Available from a health care professional or clinic. Low cost fitting and instruction at family planning clinics.

8. The Pill
DESCRIPTION: The pill is made of synthetic hormones almost like those produced by the ovaries. You need a prescription. Take the pill, as prescribed, at the same time every day whether or not you have sex because it’s the action of the pills that protects you from pregnancy.
EFFECTIVENESS: 95%-99% effective if used perfectly.
SIDE EFFECTS: Positive- Regular periods, less anemia, less cramping, less benign breast disease. May protect against some forms of cancer. Negative- (Normally disappear within 3 months) May include nausea, spotting, missed periods, headaches, mood changes, dark skin areas. Major but rare: blood clots, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease, heart attacks, liver tumors.
WHERE TO GET IT: By prescription. Low cost or no cost at many family planning clinics. Never borrow a pill from a friend.

9. IUD (Intrauterine Device)
DESCRIPTION: Small plastic or metal device inserted in uterus by a medical professional. Nylon thread attached for easy checking.
EFFECTIVENESS: 97.4%-99% effective.
SIDE EFFECTS: Irregular menstrual bleeding at first, then little or no menstruation, with longer periods, spotting between periods or skipped periods. Possible changes in hair distribution, headaches, and weight gain. Check with your health provider if you experience any unusual symptoms. Major but rare: blood clots, depression. Some IUDs may cause heavy menstrual flow; others, no flow. May cause cramps or other irritation as body tries to reject IUD. Expect heavy menstrual periods the first few months.
WHERE TO GET IT: Medical Professional or family planning clinic. Pricey but protection lasts longer than some other methods. You will be asked to sign a consent form and return for a follow up clinic visit.

10. Injectable (Depo Provera)
DESCRIPTION: Depo Provera is given as a shot that protects you from pregnancy. The shots must be given at specific times by medical professionals. Injectables contain chemical similar to hormone released from ovaries during menstrual cycle. They work by preventing eggs from being released and fertilized.
EFFECTIVENESS: 99.7%
SIDE EFFECTS: Irregular menstrual bleeding at first, then little or no menstruation, with longer periods, spotting between periods or skipped periods. Possible changes in hair distribution, headaches, and weight gain. Check with your health provider if you experience any unusual symptoms. Major but rare: blood clots, depression. Some IUDs may cause heavy menstrual flow; others, no flow. May cause cramps or other irritation as body tries to reject IUD. Expect heavy menstrual periods the first few months.
WHERE TO GET IT: Medical Professional or family planning clinic. Pricey but protection lasts longer than some other methods. You will be asked to sign a consent form and return for a follow up clinic visit.

11. Skin Patch
DESCRIPTION: Contraceptives, adhesive skin patch, about 2¾ inch square, applied once a week to one of four places. Contraceptive material in patch enters blood stream to protect user against pregnancy.
EFFECTIVENESS: If used correctly patch is as effective as the contraceptive pill, 95%-99%.
SIDE EFFECTS: Positive- Regular periods, less anemia, less cramping, less benign breast disease. May protect against some forms of cancer. Negative- (Normally disappear within 3 months) May include nausea, spotting, missed periods, headaches, mood changes, dark skin areas. Major but rare: blood clots, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease, heart attacks, liver tumors.
WHERE TO GET IT: By prescription. Low cost or no cost at many family planning clinics. Never borrow a pill from a friend.

12. Nuva Ring
DESCRIPTION: The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring a woman inserts into her vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week each month. The hormones that are released work by keeping a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs.
EFFECTIVENESS: 99% effective if used correctly.
SIDE EFFECTS: Most women can use NuvaRing safely. But all medications have some risks, so safety is a concern when choosing a birth control method. Serious side effects of the ring, though rare, may be more likely if you have certain conditions. Some of these conditions may even rule out using the ring. Talk with your health care provider to find out if the ring is likely to be safe for you.
WHERE TO GET IT: First, you’ll need to get a prescription. Visit a planned parenthood health center, a clinic, or a private health care provider for a prescription. Your health care provider will discuss your medical history with you, check your blood pressure, and give you any other medical exam that you may need.

13. Withdrawal (Pulling Out)
DESCRIPTION: A man who uses withdrawal will pull his penis out of the vagina before ejaculation — the moment when semen spurts out of his penis.
EFFECTIVENESS: VERY LOW!
SIDE EFFECTS: High risk of pregnancy, STIs and HIV/AIDS
WHERE TO GET IT: N/A