Smart and Safe Birth Control Options

• 100% effective.
• Note that pregnancy is still possible if semen touches the vulva and gets into the vagina

• Not recommended for people who find it difficult to abstain from intercourse.
• It can be beneficial to have a backup method of birth control available, such as condoms.

Tubal ligation:
A woman can have her fallopian tubes tied as a means of permanent birth control. In this surgery, a doctor cuts, ties or seals the fallopian tubes to block eggs from reaching the uterus.

Vasectomy:
This surgery is done to keep a man's sperm from entering his penis, so when he ejaculates there is no sperm to fertilize the egg. It involves closing or blocking the tubes in men that carry sperm.

• Nearly 100% effective for both men and women.
• After a vasectomy, it takes about 12 weeks before sperm are completely cleared from a man's ejaculate. The man will visit his doctor after the procedure for tests to check sperm count. Use a backup form of birth control until the sperm count reaches zero.

• Not recommended for people who may want to have biological children in the future. Surgery can be difficult to reverse.

There are two types of IUDs:

Copper IUDs:
A small, plastic device containing copper is inserted into the uterus by a health care provider. Copper acts as a natural spermicide, disrupting the sperm's path to the egg.

Hormonal IUDs:
Hormonal IUDs, which are also inserted into the uterus by a health care provider, release the hormone progestin, which disrupts the sperm's path to the egg, helps to thicken cervical mucus, and may also prevent the egg from leaving the ovary.

• 99% effective with perfect use
• 90% effective with typical use

• The copper IUD may work for up to 10 years. The hormonal IUD may be effective for 3–5 years.
• Recommended for women who know they do not want to become pregnant for several years.

• 99% effective with perfect use
• 90% effective with typical use

• Surgery is required to insert the rod. Once it's in place for a week, it can be effective for up to five years.

• 99% effective with perfect use
• 90% effective with typical use

• Can be a good option for women who don't want to take a daily pill.
• The chance of pregnancy is lower in women who receive the shot on time every 12 weeks.

• 99% effective with perfect use
• 90% effective with typical use

• Can be used by women who are eligible for hormonal birth control but do not want to take a daily pill.
• Not recommended for women with certain health conditions (such as a history of heart problems, high blood pressure, blood clots, certain cancers, and more) or women over the age of 35 years who smoke.

• 99% effective with perfect use
• 90% effective with typical use

• May be recommended for women who want benefits not related to birth control, such as more regular and lighter periods and reduced menstrual cramps.
• Progestin-only pills may be recommended for breastfeeding women, or those who are unable or choose not to take estrogen.
• Combination pills should not be taken by women over 35 years who smoke or those with certain health conditions, such as heart problems, high blood pressure, a history of blood clots or certain cancers.

• 99% effective with perfect use
• 90% effective with typical use

• You'll leave the ring in place for three weeks, remove it and then insert a new ring exactly one week later. The ring is most effective when you follow these directions exactly.

Breastfeeding can be a short-term effective form of birth control when all three of these considerations are met:

• The baby you're breastfeeding is younger than 6 months old.
• You exclusively breastfeed your baby. This means you only give them breast milk and no formula or solid foods.
• You have not had a menstrual period since giving birth.

• 98% effective with perfect use
• Is not effective if all three criteria aren't met

• Only an effective option for new moms who breastfeed exclusively.
• New moms who breastfeed but sometimes supplement with formula may have a higher risk of ovulating, and a higher chance of becoming pregnant.

• Diaphragm:
• 94% effective with perfect use
• 88% effective with typical use
• Cervical cap:
• 84–87% effective with typical use in women who have never been pregnant or given birth vaginally
• 68–77% effective with typical use in women who have given birth vaginally

• Both methods are only effective when used with spermicide.
• Cervical caps and diaphragms are available in different sizes. Your health care provider can help determine the size you need.

In women who have never given birth:

• 91% effective with perfect use
• 88% effective with typical use

In women who have given birth:

• 80% effective
• 76% effective with typical use in women who have given birth

• Not recommended for women who have recently given birth or been pregnant

• Male condom:
• 98% effective with perfect use
• 87% effective with typical use
• Female condom:
• 95% effective with perfect use
• 79% effective with typical use

• Consistently and correctly using male latex condoms can protect both men and women against STIs.
• Male condoms made from materials other than latex, such as polyurethane, polyisoprene or lambskin, do not protect against STIs or HIV.
• There are only a few studies that show female condoms may help protect against STIs, but more research is needed for this to be confirmed. It is unknown if female condoms protect against HIV.

• Only works if semen (including pre-ejaculate fluid or sperm remaining in the urethra from previous ejaculation) stays out of the vagina.
• 96% effective with perfect use
• 78% effective with typical use

• Sperm can be released before the man pulls out, so it's often not an effective form of birth control.

• Several different types of FAM exist; effectiveness varies between each type.
• FAM is less effective than many other methods of birth control.

• Not recommended for women with irregular menstrual cycles.
• These methods can be useful for couples who are trying to get pregnant. In these cases, they have unprotected sex during peak fertile times.