Primary Birth Control Hormonal |
How to Use |
Effectiveness (Perfect Use) |
Prescription |
Protects Against STDs |
21-day and 28-day oral contraceptive (the Pill) |
Take 1 pill every day as directed. A period occurs every 28 days |
approximately 99% effective |
Yes |
No |
Extended-cycle oral Contraceptive (the extended-cycle pill) 91 and 365 day |
For 91 day cycle, take 1 pill every day for 3 months as directed. A period occurs just 4 times a year. For the 365 day cycle, take 1 pill everyday, you should not have a period. |
Approximately 99% effective |
Yes |
No |
Contraceptive Patch |
Apply to skin and change weekly |
Approximately 99% effective |
Yes |
No |
Vaginal ring |
(hormonal; Insert monthly and leave in place for 21 days |
More than 98% effective |
Yes |
No |
Injection |
Get injections every 3 months |
More than 99% effective |
Injections given in Doctor's office |
No |
IUD (hormonal) |
Inserted in the uterus and can remain for up to 5 years |
More than 99% effective |
IUD inserted in Doctor's office |
No |
Primary Birth Control Non-Hormonal |
How to Use |
Effectiveness (Perfect Use) |
Prescription |
Protects Against STDs |
Spermicide |
Apply every time before sex |
94% effective |
No |
Some |
Diaphragm |
Insert every time before sex |
Up to 94% effective |
Yes |
Some |
Cervical cap |
Insert every time before sex |
91 % effective if never pregnant;74% after having children |
Yes |
Some |
Female condom |
insert every time before sex |
95% effective |
No |
Some |
Male condom |
Partner must wear every time during sex |
Up to 97% effective |
No |
Yes, most condoms |
IUD (copper) |
Inserted in the uterus and can remain for up to 10 years |
98.5% effective |
UID inserted in Doctor's office |
No |
Female sterilization ("tubes tied") or male Sterilization (vasectomy) |
No action required after surgery |
99.5% effective (female); 99.9% effective (male) |
No. Performed surgically |
No |
Emergency Contraception -if your primary method of birth control fails |
||||
Emergency contraceptive pill |
Take 1st pill within 72 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Take 2nd pill 12 hours after the 1st dose |
89% effective |
No |
No |