Abstinence

DESCRIPTION: No sex or intimate contact until youre

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 wont have to worry about getting
pregnant or getting a sexually transmitted infection.
And you wont be loaded down with a relationship that
can get sticky and hard to handle.
WHERE TO GET IT: Youve got it! NO is one of the
first words you ever learned.

Natural Family Planning

DESCRIPTION: Natural methods that require a lot of
self-control from both partners. The Billings Method:
checking cervical mucus to determine womens fertile
period based on changes in vaginal discharge that occur
just before shes 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.

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 mens and womens bathrooms, by mail or
on internet.

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 mens and womens
bathrooms, by mail or on internet.

Spermicides (Films)
DESCRIPTION: 2x2 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.

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.

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 wont
protect you from getting AIDS or other STIs. Insist on
condom
WHERE use
TO GET IT: Available from a health care
professional or clinic. Low cost fitting and instruction at

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 its
the
action of the pills
that protects
youiffrom
EFFECTIVENESS:
95%-99%
effective
usedpregnancy.
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
WHERE TO GET IT: By prescription. Low cost or no cost
tumors.
at many family planning clinics. Never borrow a pill from

IUD (Intrauterine Device)

DESCRIPTION: Small plastic or metal device inserted in
uterus by a medical professional. Nylon thread attached
for
easy checking. 97.4%-99% effective.
EFFECTIVENESS:
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
toGET
reject
Expect
heavy menstrual
periods
WHERE
TO
IT:IUD.
Medical
Professional
or family
the
first few
months.
planning
clinic.
Pricey but protection lasts longer than
some other methods. You will be asked to sign a consent

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.

Skin Patch
DESCRIPTION: Contraceptives, adhesive skin patch,
about 2 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,
gallGET
bladder
disease,
heart attacks,
WHERE TO
IT: By
prescription.
Low costliver
or no cost
tumors.
at many family planning clinics. Never borrow a pill from

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 womans
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, youll 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.

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