Birth Control Method | How you use it | How well it works | Pros | Cons | Helpful Tips |
Long Term Methods: All these methods work very well and are safe and easy to use. None of these methods protect against HIV and other sexual diseases. |
IUD | · Health care provider puts it in woman’s uterus. · Lasts 5 or 10 years. | 99% | · Easy-to-use. · Few side effects. | · Can cause some cramping for a few minutes. | · Check the string
every month. · Be sure it is in place. |
Tubal Ligation | · Health care provider blocks woman’s tubes. · Permanent. | 99% | · Never have to think about birth control. | · Can’t change
your mind. | · Get your signed paperwork done ahead of time. |
Vasectomy | · Health care provider blocks the man’s tubes. · Permanent. | 99% | · Doesn’t change
your sex life. | · Can’t easily change your mind. | · Afterwards, get a sperm count. · Use condoms
until then. |
Hormonal Methods: All of these methods are for women only and are safe for most women to use. They may cause changes in your period, spotting, bleeding between periods, and other side effects. None will protect you from HIV or other sexual diseases. |
Mini-Pill | · Health care provider prescribes it. · Woman takes one pill every day. | 92% | · Easy to use. · Prevents cramps and heavy bleeding during periods. | · May have mood changes or other side effects. | · Take the mini- pill at the same time every day. |
Patch | · Health care provider prescribes it. · Woman puts new patch on each week. | 92% | · Easy to use. | · May have tender breasts or other side effects. | · Change the patch on the same day of the week for 3 weeks in a row. |
Pill | · Health care provider prescribes it. · Woman takes one pill every day. | 92% | · Easy to use. · Prevents cramps and heavy bleeding during periods. | · May have nausea or other side effects. | · Take the pill every day at about the same time. |
Ring | · Health care provider prescribes it. · Woman puts new ring in vagina once a month. | 92% | · Easy to use. | · May have headaches or other side effects. | · Put in a new ring one week after you take the old ring out. |
Shot | · Health care provider gives woman a shot every 3 months. | 97% | · Easy to use. · Light periods or no periods at all. | · May be some
bone loss. · May have spotting. | · Get a shot every 12 weeks. |