Birth Control Methods 
The following is a list of birth control methods that may be used by women and/or men. These methods – or information about them - are available at Planned Parenthood of Connecticut’s 18 health centers.

Abstinence
The Birth Control Pill
The Male Condom
The Female Condom
Depo-Provera®
The Diaphragm or Cervical Cap
Emergency Contraception (EC)
Fertility Awareness
THE IUD (Intrauterine Device)
OrthoEvra (The Patch)
Outercourse
NuvaRing
Spermicide
Sterilization
Withdrawal

ABSTINENCE...is not having any sexual behaviors that may result in pregnancy.
PROS: This method is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Avoids the use   of medications or hormones. No financial cost.
CONS: Difficult for many people to abstain from sexual activity for long periods of time.

THE BIRTH CONTROL PILL...contains hormones that prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation.
PROS: 95 – 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. Regulates menstrual cycle and decreases likelihood of cramps. May provide protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease, non-cancerous growths of the breast, ovarian cysts, and may protect against osteoporosis (thinning of the bones. Some birth control pills may help prevent acne.
CONS: The birth control pill must be taken each day at as close to the same time as possible. Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Women who take the pill may be at a slightly higher risk for heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

THE MALE CONDOM...is a sheath made of latex, polyurethane or animal skin that covers the penis before intercourse to keep sperm from joining an egg.
PROS: 86 – 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly with every act of vaginal intercourse. Provides protection against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are easy to buy in drugstores, supermarkets, etc. Planned Parenthood has free condoms in all of our health centers.
CONS: Some people are allergic to latex and/or spermicide. Some partners make dislike using condoms. Condoms can break, although breakage is usually caused by incorrect use.

THE FEMALE CONDOM...is a latex pouch inserted into a woman’s vagina before vaginal intercourse that prevents sperm from joining an egg.
PROS: 79-95% effective at preventing pregnancy. Provides protection against sexually transmitted infections. May be used by women whose partners may be unwilling to use male condoms. May be used by those with allergies to latex. Easy to buy in drugstores, supermarkets, etc. The external ring of female condom may stimulate the clitoris.
CONS: May be difficult to insert correctly. May slip inside vagina during intercourse. The polyurethane may make noise during intercourse.

DEPO-PROVERA® …is an injection (shot) of the hormone progestin given to a woman every 12 weeks. This hormone prevents the release of an egg, thickens cervical mucus and can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
PROS: 99.7% effective at preventing pregnancy. No daily medication or hormone to take. Protects against pregnancy for 12 weeks. Can be used by some women who cannot take birth control pills. Protects against cancer of the lining of the uterus and iron deficiency anemia. Many women have changes in their monthly periods, which can include missing periods.
CONS: Not effective at preventing against sexually transmitted infections. Side effects may include weight gain and irregular bleeding. Return to fertility may be delayed as long as six months after last shot.

THE DIAPHRAGM OR CERVICAL CAP...is a shallow latex cup (diaphragm) or a thimble-shaped latex cap (cervical cap). This cap is placed over the cervix to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. These methods are used along with spermicidal cream or jelly. These methods must be left in place for 4 hours after intercourse.
PROS: Diaphragms are 80-94% effective against pregnancy when used correctly with every act of vaginal intercourse. The cervical cap is 60- 90% effective, depending on whether the woman has had a child. Both diaphragm and cervical cap are very inexpensive and can last for years. Women who cannot use hormonal methods of birth control can usually use one of these methods.
CONS: Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Should not be used by women who have latex allergies. The diaphragm can increase the risk of urinary tract infections, and may only be left in place for 24 hours to avoid toxic shock syndrome (TSS). The cervical cap is available in limited sizes, so it may not fit some women. It may be left in place for only 24 hours to avoid the risk of TSS.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (or EC) is medication taken by a woman up to 72 hours after unprotected vaginal intercourse. EC prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
PROS: EC is 75 - 89% effective at preventing pregnancy. The sooner a woman starts EC, the more effective it may be. Taking EC will not effect a current pregnancy.
CONS: Nausea, vomiting, and cramping are common side effects of EC, although women who use Plan B experience these side effects less frequently. Dosage involves taking  two pills within 72 hours of unprotected sex, making timing important. EC is not effective at stopping a pregnancy that has already implanted in the uterus. EC does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections.

FERTILITY AWARENESS… involves monitoring a woman’s physical signs to predict times of fertility and avoiding intercourse or using another method of birth control during "unsafe" times. Predicting fertility includes checking body temperature daily with a basal thermometer and daily checking of cervical mucus.
PROS: 75-99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Low cost. Avoids use of medication or hormones.
CONS: Requires months of practice before effective use. May lead to risk-taking during "unsafe’ times. Provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections. Many things such as illness may effect body temperature, leading to inaccurate planning. Women who have irregular periods may not be able to use this method effectively.

THE IUD (INTRAUTERINE DEVICE)...is a small plastic device placed in the uterus. The IUD contains copper or hormones that keep sperm from joining an egg.
PROS: 97.4-99.2% effective. IUDs may be kept in place for 1-12 years depending on the type of IUD. No daily pills to take. Some IUDs may help reduce menstrual cramps.
CONS: IUDs are not effective protection against sexually transmitted infections. Some women experience an increase in cramps, spotting between periods or heavier and longer periods. Pregnancies, which rarely occur, are more likely to be ectopic (in fallopian tubes).

ORTHOEVRA...is a thin plastic patch containing combined hormones that is worn by women on their upper arm, buttock, stomach or upper torso.  The patch is applied once a week for three weeks.  No patch is worn on the fourth week.
PROS:  More than 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.  No daily pill to take.  Rapid return to fertility when use is stopped.  Periods are likely to become more regular.
CONS:  Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.  May not be as effective for women who weigh more that 198 pounds.  Possibility of skin reaction where the patch is applied.

OUTERCOURSE...is having sexual activity without vaginal intercourse.
PROS: Nearly 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. Can be effective at preventing sexually transmitted infections if no bodily fluids are exchanged through oral or anal intercourse. Avoids the use of medications or hormones.
No financial cost.
CONS: People often forget to protect themselves against pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections if intercourse takes place. It may be difficult for many people to abstain from vaginal intercourse for long periods of time.

NUVARING...is a small, flexible ring that is inserted into a woman's vagina.  The ring is kept in place for three weeks.  No ring is worn during the fourth week.
PROS:  More than 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.  No daily pill to take.  Does not require use of spermicide. Rapid return to fertility once use is stopped.
CONS:  Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.  Possibility of vaginal irritation or infection.  Possibility of increased vaginal discharge.

SPERMICIDE…is a cream, film, jelly, foam or suppository that is inserted into a woman’s vagina before having vaginal intercourse. Spermicide contains medications that immobilize and kill sperm, preventing them from joining an egg.
PROS: 72-94% effective at preventing pregnancy. Easy to buy in supermarkets, drugstores, etc. May provide some protection against sexually transmitted infections.
CONS: Spermicide can be messy. Some people are allergic to it. It may irritate vagina or penis — which may increase risk of infection.

STERILIZATION...occurs when women or men have an operation to prevent the sperm from joining an egg. This includes: Tubal sterilization (intended to permanently block the woman's fallopian tubes) or Vasectomy (intended to permanently block the man's tubes that carry sperm).
PROS: 99.5 – 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. Permanent method of birth control without any lasting side effects for women or men.
CONS: Not effective at protecting against sexually transmitted infections. Reversibility cannot be guaranteed. Rarely, tubes reopen, allowing pregnancy to occur, and these pregnancies are more likely to be ectopic (occur in the fallopian tube). Some people may have adverse reactions to the anesthesia or problems from the surgery.

WITHDRAWAL…is when the man will pull his penis out of the vagina before he "comes" to keep sperm from joining an egg.
PROS: 81-96% effective at preventing pregnancy. Withdrawal can be used when no other method is available. No financial cost.
CONS: This method does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections. Pregnancy is possible if sperm are spilled on or near the vulva.

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