| Method | How Well Does it Work? | How to Use | Pros | Cons |
| The Implant (Nexplanon) | >99% | A healthcare provider places it under the skin of the upper arm. It must be removed by a healthcare provider | - Long-lasting (up to 5 years)
- No pill to take daily
- Often decreases cramps
- Can be used while breastfeeding
- You can become pregnant right after it is removed
| - Can cause irregular bleeding
- After 1 year, you may have no period at all
- Does not protect again HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
|
| Progestin IUD (Lilleta, Mirena, Skyla, and others) | >99% | Must be placed in uterus by a healthcare provider. Usually removed by a healthcare provider | - May be left in place 3-7, depending on which IUD you choose
- No pill to take daily
- May improve period cramps and bleeding
- Can be used while breastfeeding
- You can become pregnant right after it's removed
| - May cause lighter periods, spotting, or no period at all
- Rarely, uterus is injured during placement
- Does not protect against HIV or STIs
|
| Copper IUD (Paraguard) | >99% | Must be placed in uterus by a healthcare provider. Usually removed by a healthcare provider | - May be left in place for up to 12 years
- No pill to take daily
- Can be used while breastfeeding
- You can become pregnant right after it is removed
| - May cause more cramps heavier periods
- May cause
- Spotting between periods
- Rarely, uterus is injured during placement
- Does not protect against HIV or other STIs
|
| The Shot (Depo-Provera) | 94% | Get a shot every 3 months | - Each shot works for 12 weeks
- Private
- Usually decreases periods
- Helps prevents cancer of the uterus
- No pill to take daily
- Can be used while breastfeeding
| - May cause spotting, no period, weight gain, depression, hair or skin changes, change in sex drive
- May cause delay in getting pregnant after you stop the shots
- Side effects may last up to 6 months after you stop the shots
- Does not protect against HIV or STIs
|
| The Pill | 91% | You must take the pill daily | - Can be used while breastfeeding
- You can become pregnant right after stopping the pills
| - May cause nausea, weight gain, headaches, change in sex drive - some of these can be relieved by changing to a new brand
- May cause spotting the first 1-2 months
- Does not protect against HIV or other STIs
|
| Progestin-Only Pills | 91% | You must take the pill daily | - Can be used while breastfeeding
- You can become pregnant right after stopping the pills
| - Often causes spotting, which may last for many months
- May cause depression, hair or skin changes, change in sex drive
- Does not protect against HIV or other STIs
|
| The Patch (Ortho-Evra) | 91% | Apply a new patch once a week for 3 weeks, no patch in week 4 | - Can make periods more regular and less painful
- No pill to take daily
- You can become pregnant right after stopping the patch
| - Can increase vaginal discharge
- May cause spotting the first 1-2 months of use
- Does not protect against HIV or STIs
|
| The Ring (NuvaRing) | 91% | Insert a small ring into the vagina. Change ring each month | - One size fits all
- Private
- Does not require spermicide
- Can make periods more regular and less painful
- No pill to take daily
- You can become pregnant right after stopping the ring
| - Can irritate skin under the patch
- May cause spotting the first 1-2 months
- Does not protect against HIV or other STIs
|
| External Condom | 82% | Use a new condom each time you have sex, use a polyurethane condom if allergic to latex | - Can buy at many stores
- Can put on as part of sex play/foreplay
- Can help prevent early ejaculation
- Can be used for oral, vaginal, and anal sex
- Protects against HIV and other STIs
- Can be used while breastfeeding
| - Can decrease sensation
- Can cause loss of erection
- Can break or slip off
|
| Internal Condom | 79% | Use a new condom each time you have sex, use extra lubrication as needed | - Can put in as part of sex play/foreplay
- Can be used for anal and vaginal sex
- May increase pleasure when used for anal and vaginal sex
- Good for people with latex allergy
- Protects against HIV and other STIs
- Can be used while breastfeeding
| - Can decrease sensation
- May be noisy
- May be hard to insert
- May slip out of place during sex
- Requires a prescription from your healthcare provider
|
| Withdrawal (Pull-Out) | 78% | Pull penis out of vagina before ejaculation (that is, before coming) | - Costs nothing
- Can be used while breastfeeding
| - Less pleasure for some
- Does not work if penis is not pulled out in time
- Does not protect against HIV or STIs
- Must interrupt sex
|
| Diaphragm (Caya, Milex) | 88% | Must be used each time you have sex, must be used with spermicide | - Can last several years
- Costs very little to use
- May protect against some infections, but not HIV
- Can be used while breastfeeding
| - Using spermicide may raise the risk of getting HIV
- Should not be used with vaginal bleeding or infection
- Raises risk of bladder infection
|
| Fertility Awareness (Family Planning) | 75% | Predict fertile days by: taking temperature daily, checking vaginal mucus for changes, and/or keeping record a of your periods. It works best if you use more than one of these - avoid sex or use condoms/spermicide during fertile days | - Costs little
- Can be used while breastfeeding
- Can help with avoiding or trying to become pregnant
| - Must use another method during fertile days
- Does not work well if your periods are regular
- Many things to remember with this method
- Does not protect against HIV or STIs
|
| Spermicide (Cream, gel, sponge, foam, inserts, film) | 72% | Insert spermicide each time you have sex | - Can buy at many stores
- Can be put in as part of sex play/foreplay
- Comes in many forms: cream, gel, sponge, foam, inserts, film
- Can be used while breastfeeding
| - May raise the risk of getting HIV
- May irritate vagina, penis
- Cream, gel, and foam can be messy
|
| Emergency Contraception Pills - Progestin EC (Plan B® One-Step and others) and ulipristal acetate (ella®) | 58% – 74%
Ulipristal acetate EC works better than progestin EC if you are overweight | Ulipristal acetate EC works better than progestin EC in the 2-5 days after sex.
Works best the sooner you take it after unprotected sex. You can take EC up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If pack contains 2 pills, take both together. | - Can be used while breastfeeding
- Available at pharmacies, health centers, or health care providers: call ahead to see if they have it
- People of any age can get progestin EC without a prescription
| - May cause stomach upset or nausea
- Your next period may come early or late
- May cause spotting
- Does not protect against HIV or other STIs
- Ulipristal acetate EC requires a prescription
- May cost a lot
|
