What is birth control?

Birth control, also known as contraception, is the use of any method, medication, device, or surgery to help prevent pregnancy.

Hormonal Options

Non-Hormonal Options

Which birth control is most effective?

Some methods of birth control are more effective at preventing pregnancy than others. The chart below, provided by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ranks the efficacy of different birth control methods. You can find a Spanish version of the chart following the link here or in the references below.

What are the possible side effects?

While most forms of birth control are generally safe, you may experience some side effects. The type of side effects you might experience depends on which method of birth control is being used. For example, some side effects of copper IUDs include irregular periods, pain when your IUD is put in, and cramps. Birth control that contains estrogen, for example, can cause side effects such as weight gain, nausea, breast tenderness, or even rare side effects such as blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. However, the risk of these rare side effects is generally lower than the risk of these complications during pregnancy.

Can birth control prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

Not all methods of birth control protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Birth control methods such as the pill, patch, ring, IUD, injection, and some others do not protect against STDs. Other methods, such as condoms, can help prevent STDs but are not 100% effective. The only method that is 100% effective at preventing STDs is abstinence (not having vaginal, anal, or oral sex).

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is a method of birth control that is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex (meaning no birth control method was used at the time of sex) or if the birth control method failed, such as a condom breaking during sex. There are two options available for use as emergency contraception:

1. Emergency contraceptive pills - also known as “the morning after pill”, these are oral pills that can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The sooner they are taken after unprotected sex, the better they work. There are prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) options available.
2. IUDs such as Paragard, Mirena, and Liletta, can be inserted by a healthcare professional within 5 days of unprotected sex.

Please note that emergency contraception is not meant to be used as a regular form of birth control.

Take-home message

There are many birth control options available, and together with a healthcare provider, you can find the best one for you.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information is subject to change. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on medical issues and before starting, changing, or terminating any medical treatment.

References

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Effectiveness of Birth Control Methods
• American Heart Association/American Stroke Association: Guidelines for the Prevention of Stroke in Women
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Contraception and Birth Control Methods
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:  Appendix G: Lactational Amenorrhea Method
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How to Prevent STIs
• Medline Plus: Birth Control
• Planned Parenthood: Birth Control

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