Birth Control Chart
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This birth control chart provides high-level information about different birth control options. It is meant for educational purposes for the general public. This chart is not meant to be a complete list of all available birth control options. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best birth control choice for you. If you do not want to get pregnant, there are many birth control options to choose from. No one product is best for everyone. Some methods are more effective than others at preventing pregnancy. Check the pregnancy rates on this chart to get an idea of how effective a method is at preventing pregnancy. The pregnancy rates tell you the number of pregnancies expected per 100 women during the first year of typical use. Typical use shows how effective the different methods are during actual use (including sometimes using a method in a way that is not correct or not consistent). The only sure way to avoid pregnancy is not to have sex.
| Methods | Number of pregnancies expected (per 100 Women)* | Use | Some Risks or Side Effects* This chart does not list all of the risks and side effects for each product. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sterilization Surgery for Women | Less than 1 | Onetime procedure. Permanent. |
Pain Bleeding Infection or other complications after surgery |
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Sterilization Surgery for Men | Less than 1 | Onetime procedure. Permanent. |
Pain Bleeding Infection |
 |
IUD Copper | Less than 1 | Inserted by a healthcare provider. Lasts up to 10 years. |
Cramps Heavier, longer periods Spotting between periods |
 |
IUD with Progestin | Less than 1 | Inserted by a healthcare provider. Lasts up to 3-5 years, depending on the type. |
Irregular bleeding No periods (amenorrhea) Abdominal/pelvic pain |
 |
Implantable Rod | Less than 1 | Inserted by a healthcare provider. Lasts up to 3 years. |
Menstrual Changes Mood swings or depressed mood Weight gain Headache Acne |
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Shot/Injection | 6 | Need a shot every 3 months. | Loss of bone density Irregular bleeding/ Bleeding between periods Headaches Weight gain Nervousness Dizziness Abdominal discomfort |
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Oral Contraceptives “The Pill” (Combined Pill) | 9 | Must swallow a pill every day. | Spotting/ bleeding between periods Nausea Breast tenderness Headache |
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Oral Contraceptives “The Pill” (Extended/ Continuous Use Combined Pill) | 9 | Must swallow a pill every day. | Spotting/ bleeding between periods Nausea Breast tenderness Headache |
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Oral Contraceptives “The Mini Pill” (Progestin Only) | 9 | Must swallow a pill at the same time every day. | Spotting/ bleeding between periods Nausea Breast tenderness Headache |
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Patch | 9 | Put on a new patch each week for 3 weeks (21 total days). Don’t put on a patch during the fourth week. |
Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods Nausea Stomach pain Breast tenderness Headache Skin irritation |
 |
Vaginal Contraceptive Ring | 9 | Put the ring into the vagina yourself. Keep the ring in your vagina for 3 weeks and then take it out for one week. | Vaginal discharge, discomfort in the vagina, and mild irritation. Headache Mood changes Nausea Breast tenderness |
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Diaphragm with Spermicide | 12 | Must use every time you have sex. | Irritation Allergic reactions Urinary tract infection |
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Sponge with Spermicide | 12-24 | Must use every time you have sex. | Irritation |
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Cervical Cap with Spermicide | 17-23 | Must use every time you have sex. | Irritation Allergic reactions Abnormal Pap test |
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Male Condom | 18 | Must use every time you have sex. Provides protection against some STDs. |
Irritation Allergic reactions |
 |
Female Condom | 21 | Must use every time you have sex. Provides protection against some STDs. |
Discomfort or pain during insertion or sex. Burning sensation, rash or itching |
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Spermicide Alone | 28 | Must use every time you have sex. | Irritation Allergic reactions Urinary tract infection |
OTHER CONTRACEPTION
Emergency Contraceptives (EC): May be used if you did not use birth control or if your regular birth control fails (such as a condom breaks). It should not be used as a regular form of birth control. Emergency contraception prevents about 55 - 85% of predicted pregnancies.
| Methods | Use | Some Risks or Side Effects* This chart does not list all of the risks and side effects for each product. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg (1 pill) Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg (2 pills) |
7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant after taking this EC. | Swallow the pills as soon as possible within 3 days after having unprotected sex. | Menstrual changes Headache Nausea Dizziness Vomiting Breast pain Tiredness Lower stomach (abdominal) pain |
 |
Ulipristal Acetate | 6 or 7 out of every 10 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant after taking this EC. | Swallow the pills within 5 days after having unprotected sex. | Headache Nausea Abdominal pain Menstrual pain Tiredness Dizziness |
*For more information on the chance of getting pregnant while using a method or on the risks of a specific product, please check the product label or Trussell, J. (2011)."Contraceptive failure in the United States." Contraception 83(5):397-404.