Birth control
Which birth control option is the best for you?
If you are sexually active or thinking about becoming active and you don’t want an unplanned pregnancy, you should learn about your birth control options.
Things to consider when choosing a birth control option:
- How effective is it?
- Are there any potential side effects?
- How often do you need to use the method? Does it require that you do something every time you have sex?
- Does it require cooperation from your sexual partner(s)?
- How much does it cost?
- How permanent is it or how long can you use it?
- When or if you want to have children?
- Does it also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Categories of birth control
To get pregnant, sperm must enter the vagina, reach the uterus and then fertilize an egg that has been released from the ovaries during ovulation. Birth control methods prevent or interfere with this process in a variety of ways, depending on the method used.
Hormonal methods:
Non-hormonal methods
Permanent methods
Emergency contraception
This item was last modified on July 2, 2015