Birth Control
Patient Education

Condom

Sheath of latex or lamb skin worn over penis during intercourse

87-90% effective

-Blocks sperm from entering cervical canal

-Convenient-can be purchased in any drugstore without Rx -Easy to use

-Comes in colors

-Lubricated, dry or with spermicide

*Protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STD)

-Effective for 5 yrs.

-Must fit properly over erect penis

Sponge

-Soft, 2-inch round foam with spermicide inside that is inserted into the vagina

-80-91% effective

-Blocks sperm from entering cervix

-Inhibits sperm motion with spermicide

-Convenient-can be purchased in any drugstore without Rx

-One size fits all

-Easy

-Can be inserted up to 30 hours before sex

-Can be used while nursing

-May be difficult to remove

-May fragment

-Can irritate

-May cause dryness

-Must remain in vagina for 6 hours after intercourse

-Can't use with sulfa allergy

-Can't use with history of toxic shock syndrome

-Can't use with infection

-Can't use with bleeding

Cervical Cap

Small, thimble-shaped dome

-Latex or rubber

-Used with a spermicide

-80% effective

-Inserted over cervix

-Prevents sperm from entering cervical canal and killing sperm

-Can remain for 48 hours

-Spermicide does not need to be added with each sexual encounter

-Requires fitting by M.D. or N.P.

-May be difficult to insert

-May be inserted improperly

-Does not protect against STDs

Diaphragm

Soft, flexible dome-like cup of various sizes, inserted into the vagina

-82% effective

-Spermicide is added to both sides of cup

-Blocks sperm from entering cervix

-Inhibits sperm motion

-Reversible

-Safe

-Need to be fit by M.D. or N.P.

-Need prescription

-May not be inserted properly

-Can't use with latex allergy

Spermicide

Many forms available-jellies, foams, creams, films, suppositories

-74% effective

-Inserted into vagina and melts to coat entire surface

-Kills sperm or prohibits motion of sperm

-Creates barrier between sperm and cervix

Convenient-can be purchased in any drugstore without Rx

-Needs to be in vagina at least 15 minutes prior to intercourse

-must be inserted each time coitus is planned

-2-4% allergies

-Can be messy

Birth Control Pills

-Daily pill by mouth

-Comes in packs of 28 with estrogen and progesterone

-92-99.7% effective

-Pill taken same time daily

-Prevents ovulation

-Thins uterine lining

-Prevents fertilization

-Decreases menstrual flow

-Decreases period cramps

-Decreases risk of ovarian cancer

-Increases spontaneity

-Headaches

-Nausea

-Weight gain

-Increased blood pressure

Vaginal Ring

Flexible 2 inch ring inserted vaginally

-92-99.7% effective

Kept in for 3 wks each month

-Prevents fertilization

-Thickens cervical mucus

-Prevents ovulation

-Decreases menstrual flow

-Decreases period cramps

-Increases spontaneity

-Nausea

-Headaches

-Weight gain

-Breast tenderness

-Increases blood pressure

-Vaginal irritation

Depo-Provera

-Injection of synthetic progesterone

-Given every 3 months

-97-99.7% effective

-Deters output of estrogen and progesterone

-Prevents ovulation

Thickens cervicalmucus

Thins uterine lining

-Prevents fertilization

-Lighter or no period

-Spontaneity

-Decreases ovarian and uterine cancer risk

-Weight gain

-Irregular bleeding

-Acne

-Mood swings

-Depression

-Headaches

-May increase risk of osteoporosis

Contraceptive Patch

Adhesive Band-Aid with estrogen and progesterone

-92-99.7% effective

-Rx for weekly application

-Prevents ovulation

-Thins uterine lining

-Thickens cervical mucus

-Prevents fertilization

-Easy to use

-Period flow and cramps decrease

-Headaches

-Breast tenderness

-Nausea

-Weight gain

-Fluid retention

-Skin irritation possible

-May increase risk of breast cancer

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

-Small plastic device (often 7 or T-shaped) with string attached

-Inserted in professional office by M.D. or N.P.

-99% effective

-Decreases the possibility of fertilization

-Changes uterine lining to prevent implantation if fertilization occurs

-In place for 3-5 years

-Offers spontaneity

-Rx and clinic visit required

-May cause irregular bleeding

-Slight risk of ectopic pregnancy

-Increased risk of pelvic infection

Withdrawal

Removal of erect penis from vagina before ejaculation

-73% effective

-Also known as pulling out or coitus interruptus

-Free

-Convenient

-No side effects

-Ejaculation may not be properly timed

-Sperm may still be present on penis from first encounter

Natural Family Planning (NFP)

-Rhythm method

-Daily temperature taken to determine ovulation dates.

-Abstain from coitus for 7 days each month (around ovulation time)

-75% effective

The basal body temperature is taken each morning at rest. Fertility occurs 2-3 days before the temperature rises. By tracking the temperature daily you may be able to predict ovulation time. Then you can avoid unprotected sex during this fertile time.

-Free after initial purchase of thermometer

-Healthy and natural

-Abides by some religious beliefs

-May not take accurate reading

-Cannot take temperature if you forget and then remember after rousing

-May not gauge correctly

Sterilization

Male:
Vasectomy - Surgical closure of tubes that carry sperm

Female:
Tuba legation - Fallopian tubes are blocked so that the eggs can't travel and unite with sperm

Male:
Vas deferens from each testicle is clamped or cut preventing semen from containing sperm
-99.98% effective

Female:
Fallopian tubes are cut and sealed on both sides during surgery preventing eggs to travel for fertilization.
-99.5% effective

-Permanent

-Allows spontaneity

Male:
-Permanent
-Surgical risks
-Inflammation
-Takes several months after surgery for all sperm to be ejaculated or absorbed

Female:
-Permanent
-Surgical risks
-Tiny risk of ectopic pregnancy
-Risk of adhesions