Birth Control

Abstinence

Abstinence, or not having sex, protects you and your partner from pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. You can choose to be abstinent at any time in your life. If you are abstinent 100% of the time, pregnancy can’t happen.

Birth Control Implant

The implant is a thin, plastic rod that releases a hormone, called progestin, to prevent pregnancy. A doctor or nurse practitioner inserts the implant into your arm and that’s it – you’re protected from pregnancy for up to 3 years. Implants are 99% effective, meaning that 1 or fewer people in 100 will become pregnant using the implant.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

An IUD is a small, T-shaped piece of plastic that a health care provider puts into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. Insertion is done at many IFPP clinics or doctor's offices.

IUDs are divided into two types: hormonal IUDs and non-hormonal IUDs (or copper IUDs). A non-hormonal IUD can last 10 years. A hormonal IUD uses the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy and can last up to 8 years, depending on the type. If you decide to get pregnant or you just don’t want to have your IUD anymore, you can have your IUD quickly removed at a clinic. IUDs are 99% effective, meaning 1 or fewer people in 100 will become pregnant using an IUD.

Birth Control Shot

The birth control shot is an injection you get once every 3 months from a doctor or nurse. The shot contains a hormone, called progestin, that stops you from getting pregnant by preventing ovulation. The shot is 99% effective with perfect use, meaning you get your shot on time every three months. With typical use, the shot is 94% effective, meaning 6 out of 100 people will get pregnant with the shot.

Birth Control Pills

The birth control pill, also called “oral contraception,” is a pill you take once a day to prevent pregnancy. The pill has hormones that help prevent you from becoming pregnant. However, missing a pill increases your chance of pregnancy, so you must remember to take it every day. 

Vaginal Ring

The vaginal ring is a small, soft plastic ring that you insert into your vagina. It releases 2 hormones, estrogen and progestin, to prevent pregnancy. You place a new ring in your vagina every month.

If used perfectly, meaning keeping the ring in place and changing it on time, the ring is 99% effective. With typical use, the ring is 91% effective, meaning 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant with the vaginal ring.

Birth Control Patch

The birth control patch is a thin, stick-on square that sticks to your skin, usually on your arm, back, stomach, or butt. The birth control patch releases 2 hormones, estrogen and progestin, to prevent pregnancy. You use a new patch once a week for three weeks, then go patchless (no patch) for the fourth week.

The patch is 99% effective with perfect use, meaning it is kept in place and changed on time. With typical use, the patch is 91% effective, meaning 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant with the birth control patch.

Internal Condom

The internal condom, also called female condom, is an alternative to regular condoms. They are a soft, loose-fitting thin plastic pouch that goes inside the vagina before sex. A new condom must be used each time you have sex. Internal condoms also protect against STIs and HIV. If internal condoms are used correctly every time you have sex, they are 95% effective. However, with typical use, internal condoms are 79% effective, meaning 21 out of 100 people will get pregnant with the internal condom.

Fertility Awareness-Based Methods

Fertility awareness-based methods are ways to track your menstrual cycle and fertile days (days you can get pregnant). It can also be used to track when you should avoid sex or use another birth control method to prevent getting pregnant. There are different methods for learning when you are fertile, including tracking your menstrual cycle and learning to recognize changes in your body and signs of fertility. Your medical provider can give you information on how to use these methods.

Fertility awareness for preventing pregnancy can be difficult. It is typically only 77% effective, meaning 23 out of 100 people will become pregnant.

Emergency Contraception

If you didn’t use a condom or other form of birth control, your condom broke, or you made a mistake with your normal birth control, you can still prevent pregnancy with emergency contraception (EC). EC pills, often referred to as “Plan B” or the “morning-after pill,” can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The sooner you take EC pills, the more effective they are. EC is not an abortion pill – it will not stop or harm a pregnancy that has already started.

You can get EC pills over the counter at a drugstore or at a family planning clinic at a reduced cost. EC pill effectiveness varies by brand and the number of days after unprotected sex.

Condoms

Condoms help protect you from getting pregnant and from STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and HIV – but they must be used every time you have sex to be effective. Condoms work even better if you also use something called spermicide, which helps stop pregnancy. They can also be a good “back-up” method to protect you against STIs if you are using a different birth control method.

If condoms are used correctly every time you have sex, they are 98% effective. But with typical use, condoms are 82% effective, meaning about 18 out of 100 people who use condoms as their only birth control method will get pregnant. 

Withdrawal (Pulling Out)

Withdrawal, also called pulling out, is pulling the penis out and away from the vagina before ejaculation, which stops sperm from entering the vagina and reaching an egg. Withdrawal can prevent pregnancy if done correctly but will not protect against STIs and HIV.

For withdrawal to work, you must do it every single time you have sex, which can be hard to do. With typical use, withdrawal is considered 73% effective, meaning 27 out of 100 couples relying on withdrawal will get pregnant. Withdrawal is most effective when you also use another birth control method, like condoms. 

Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)

If you know you do not want children or do not want any more children, you might consider sterilization, or tubal ligation. Sterilization is one of the most effective kinds of birth control, but it’s also the biggest commitment. A provider can give you information and answer questions about sterilization procedures and can schedule or refer you for the procedure. IFPP and all Title X patients must be at least 21 years old before choosing this method. 

Vasectomy 

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure where the tubes that carry sperm are cut and sealed so that sperm can’t leave the body and cause pregnancy. Vasectomies can be done in some family planning program clinics or doctor's offices and usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Vasectomies are a permanent method of birth control and should be chosen only if you are sure you do not want children or do not want any more children in the future.

Vasectomies are one of the safest, most effective (99%), and popular birth control methods. IFPP and all Title X patients must be at least 21 years old before choosing this method.