• Looks like a square band-aid.


• Applied to the abdomen, buttocks, upper arm, or upper torso.


• Requires a prescription


• Raised risk of heart attack and stroke.

Female Condom

• Helps protect partners from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.


• Provides a barrier between partners to prevent sharing bodily fluids like semen, blood, or saliva.


• A female condom and a male condom should not be used at the same time.


• Can break or leak.

IUD (IntraUterine Device)

• Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small object that is inserted through the cervix and placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.


• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.


• Can be expelled.


• Can cause more difficult menstrual periods.


• Possible risk to future fertility.

Spermicides

• Kills or disables sperm so that it cannot cause pregnancy.


• Most effective when used consistently and correctly with a barrier method of birth control, like a condom.


• Possible genital irritation


• When used frequently spermicides may irritate the vagina making it easier to catch HIV/STI

Depo Provera (DMPA or Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate)

• Stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.


• Causes the cervical mucus to thicken and changes the uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to enter or survive in the uterus.


• Prevent fertilization


• Irregular bleeding


• Most women experience weight gain

Condom

• Helps protect partners from pregnancy and reproductive tract infections, including HIV/AIDS


• Shaped like a penis and is usually made of latex.


• Works by providing a barrier between partners so that bodily fluids, like semen, blood, and saliva, are not shared.


• Can break or leak.


• Possible allergic reaction.

Cervical Cap

• Latex, thimble-shaped device that is inserted into the vagina and fits snugly over the cervix.


• Suction keeps the cap in place.


• Provides a barrier to block sperm from entering the uterus and prevents fertilization.


• Used with spermicidal jellies or creams that kill sperm.


• Requires a fitting in a clinic

Diaphragm

• A thin rubber dome with a springy and flexible rim


• Inserted into the vagina, fits over the cervix and is held in place by vaginal muscles


• Possible allergic reaction


• May increase risk of bladder infections.

Mini-Pills

• Progesterone-only birth control pills
  
• Come in packs of 28 pills and you take one every day


• Affects the transport of the egg through the fallopian tubes.


• Prevents fertilization.


• Must be taken every day at the same time


• Requires a prescription
  

Continuous Hormonal Birth Control

• Hormonal methods prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs.


• Pills must be taken every day.


• Less effective when taken with some drugs.


• Requires a prescription.

Emergency Contraception

• Pregnancy can be prevented after intercourse by taking Emergency Contraceptive pills (EC)


• EC may be effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after intercourse. But, it is most effective within the first 24 hours


• Most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected vaginal intercourse.


• Side effects may include nausea

Birth Control Pills

• Most popular type of birth control


• Come in packs of 21 or 28 pills and to be taken 1 pill everyday


• Hormones in the Pill prevent fertilization.


• Less effective when taken with some drugs


• Requires a prescription

Vasectomy

• A sterilization technique for men


• Without sperm, fertilization of an egg cannot occur and pregnancy is prevented.


• Not immediately effective


• Requires minor surgery in a clinic


• May not be reversible