Contraception: All Guides

Contraception: Quiz

Posted under Health Guides. Updated 8 May 2022.

1. The best type of contraception to use to protect me against STDs is:

Latex External (Male) Condom
Hormonal Injections
Birth Control Pills
Diaphragm

The correct answer is: Latex External (Male) Condom.
Latex external (male) condoms are the best form of protection against STDs. Polyurethane Condoms also give some protection. Hormonal injections, diaphragms and birth control pills provide no protection against STDs.

2. Which form of contraception is most often prescribed for girls with severe menstrual cramps?

Contraceptive Sponge
Hormonal Implants
Birth Control Pills
External (male) condoms

The correct answer is: Birth Control Pills
Health care providers often prescribe birth control pills to patients with severe menstrual cramps. Hormonal implants may lessen menstrual cramps, but they are primarily used for protection against pregnancy. The contraceptive sponge and condoms do not have any other benefits except protection against pregnancy.

3. Which type of contraception does not require a prescription?

Diaphragm
Vaginal Hormonal Ring
Birth Control Pills
Internal (Female) Condom

The correct answer is: Internal (Female) Condom
You don’t need a prescription for internal (female) condoms. You can buy them in drugstores. You do need a prescription for the other three.

4. Which form of contraception usually makes acne better?

Birth Control Pills
Hormonal Implants
Spermicide
Diaphragm

The correct answer is: Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills usually improve acne. The other three options listed (hormonal implants, spermicides, and diaphragms) don’t affect acne, so they are not used as a treatment for this purpose.

5. Which of the following provides the best protection against pregnancy?

Diaphragm
Spermicide
Male Condoms
Hormonal Implants

The correct answer is: Hormonal Implants
Out of the four birth control options listed, hormonal implants provide the best protection against pregnancy, with less than 1 woman out of 100 getting pregnant after the first year. The other methods all have higher pregnancy rates.

6.Which one of the following types of contraception is permanent?

Hormonal Implants
Hormonal Injections
Female Sterilization
Intra-Uterine Device

The correct answer is: Female Sterilization
Female sterilization is the only type of contraception that is permanent. This means that once you have the procedure, you will never be able to become pregnant. It is important to know and understand the risks before being sterilized. Hormonal implants last for up to three years; each hormonal injection lasts for either one month or three months; and the intra-uterine device lasts for 10 years (copper) or 5 years (progesterone).

Contraception: General Information

Posted under Health Guides. Updated 8 May 2022.

Tagged abstinence barrier method birth control birth control pills condoms contraception depo-provera healthy sex

Key Facts

Decide on how to prevent pregnancy and STIs before becoming sexually active.
Contraception methods vary in effectiveness and cost.
Using two methods (such as birth control pills and condoms) greatly decreases your chances of becoming pregnant and getting an STI.

You may be starting to think about what it means to be involved in a sexual relationship. There are many things that you need to think about before you decide to have sex, including whether this is the right person, the right time in your life, and how you will feel if the relationship breaks up. If you do decide to have sex, you need to think about how to prevent getting pregnant and how to protect yourself from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

You should talk to your parents, guardian, a trusted adult, or your health care provider if you are thinking about having a sexual relationship. It is a good idea to discuss all your choices and all the concerns and worries you may have so you can make good decisions. This can be a very confusing time for you, and it is always good to have someone to talk to.

What types of contraception are there?

There are many different types of contraception that vary in how effective they are at preventing pregnancy, how much they cost, how easy they are to use, and whether they also protect against STIs. Using two types of contraceptive methods, such as the birth control pill and condoms, increases protection against both pregnancy and STIs. Males use some types of contraception and females use other types of contraception. If you are having a sexual relationship with a male, it’s good to know all about the different types of female and male contraception. Together, you and your partner should figure out the best choice for the two of you. Whatever type of contraception one of you uses can influence the health of both people in the relationship. Only females can get pregnant, but everyone can get a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

If you have sexual intercourse, you are always at risk for pregnancy and STIs, but if you practice safer sex with only one partner (who is uninfected and has no other sexual partners) and you make good decisions about contraception, you can greatly lower your risk.

Contraceptive methods include:

Most Effective

Effective

Least Effective

Contraception: Pros and Cons of Different Contraceptive Methods

Posted under Health Guides. Updated 8 May 2022.

Tagged barrier method birth control birth control pills condoms contraception depo-provera healthy sex spermicide

Here’s a list of the many available types of contraception, and the pros and cons of using each.

Hormonal Implants
Success Rate with Typical Use: 99%
Pros	Cons
Long-term method of birth control (protects against pregnancy for 3 years after insertion–it can be removed by a health care provider when you want to, or you can wait for 3 years when it’s time for a change of implant) Very effective against pregnancy May cause light or no menstrual periods	Doesn’t protect against STIs Requires minor surgery and insertion of the tiny rod(s) underneath the skin Requires minor surgery to remove device Can cause side effects such as irregular menstrual periods, depression, nervousness, hair loss, and weight gain Could get infection at area where rod is implanted

Intra-Uterine Device: Two types- LNG-IUS (Levonorgestrel hormone-releasing intrauterine system) and Copper IUD (no hormones)

Success Rate with Typical Use: 99%

Pros

Cons

Very effective against pregnancy
Provide protection against pregnancy when in place in your uterus- protects as soon as inserted (so don’t need to remember to use contraception if you have sexual intercourse)
Doesn’t need daily attention
Comfortable- you and your partner cannot feel the IUD, although you partner may feel the string
The levonorgestrel IUD (Mirena®, Skyla®, Lilleta®, Kyleena™) lessens menstrual flow and can be used to treat heavy periods

Both types do not protect against STIs. Other methods should be considered if high risk for STIs. Needs to be inserted by a health care provider.
Slightly higher risk of infection in the first 20 days after insertion
Cannot be placed in patients with known uterine anomalies
Can fall out or can rarely puncture the uterus
Slightly higher risk for infection in the first 20 days after insertion
The Copper IUD can have side effects such as menstrual cramping, longer and/or heavier menstrual periods, and spotting between menstrual periods.

Depo-Provera Hormonal Injection
Success Rate with Typical Use: 96%
Pros	Cons
Each injection provides 3 months of protection against pregnancy Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly Many women stop getting their menstrual period while getting injections. (This is not a medical problem and menstrual periods usually return 6-18 months after you stop taking injections) Helps protect against uterine cancer Doesn’t interrupt sexual activity	Doesn’t protect against STIs Need to see your health care provider every 3 months for an injection Depending on your insurance, your birth control may be free or there may be a co-pay May have side effects such as weight gain, tiredness, and possibly a decrease in bone density Many women have very irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting for the first 3 to 6 months and sometimes longer

Birth Control Pills
Success Rate with Typical Use: 93%
Pros	Cons
Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly Makes menstrual periods more regular and lighter Decreases menstrual cramps and acne Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and anemia	Doesn’t protect against STIs Depending on your insurance, your birth control may be free or there may be a co-pay. Need to remember to take every day at the same time Can’t be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications Can occasionally cause side effects such as nausea, increased appetite, headaches, and, very rarely, blood clots Need a prescription

Hormone Patch (Ortho-Evra) (Xulane)
Success Rate with Typical Use: 91%
Pros	Cons
Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly Makes menstrual periods more regular and lighter Decreases menstrual cramps and acne Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and anemia Doesn’t interrupt sexual activity	Doesn’t protect against STIs Still need condoms to lower the risk of STIs Can’t be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications Can occasionally cause side effects such as nausea, increased appetite, headaches, and irregular bleeding in the first few cycles Increased risk of blood clots Need a prescription

Vaginal Hormonal Ring (NuvaRing®, Annovera™)
93% (NuvaRing),-97% (Annovera™)
Pros	Cons
Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly Makes menstrual periods more regular and lighter Decreases menstrual cramps and acne Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and anemia Doesn’t interrupt sexual activity	Doesn’t protect against STIs Still need condoms to lower the risk of STIs Can’t be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications Can occasionally cause side effects such as nausea, increased appetite, headaches Increased risk of blood clots

Diaphragm
Success Rate with Typical Use: 83%
Pros	Cons
Can be put in place right before intercourse or 2-3 hours before intercourse Don’t need to take out between acts of sexual intercourse (protects against pregnancy for about 6 hours, but need to reapply spermicide)	Doesn’t protect against STIs Need to get fitted by a health care provider and need a prescription May be difficult to find Can’t take out until 6 hours after intercourse Cost $25-$45, plus the cost of spermicidal gel May get moved out of place during sexual intercourse Some women may be allergic to the diaphragm or to the spermicide Need to be re-fitted after a 10 pound weight gain or loss and after pregnancy Can be messy Need to reapply spermicide with each act of sexual intercourse Can cause an increase in urinary tract infections

Cervical Cap
Success Rate with Typical Use: 83%
Pros	Cons
Can insert several hours before sexual intercourse Can leave in place 24-48 hours, will give protected sex for up to 48 hours Use less spermicide with the cap than with the diaphragm, no need to apply more spermicide with each act of intercourse	Doesn’t protect against STIs Cost $30-$50, plus the cost of spermicidal gel Need to be fitted by a health care provider and need a prescription Limited sizes available Can’t take out until 6-8 hours after intercourse May get moved out of place Some women may be allergic to material of cap or to spermicide Can’t be used by women with a history of abnormal Pap tests Can cause increased urinary tract infections

External (Male) Condom
Success Rate with Typical Use: 87%
Pros	Cons
Lowers risk of STIs Contraception that provides the most protection against sexually transmitted infections (latex condoms are best) Don’t cost much (50 cents each), can buy at almost any drug store (don’t need a prescription) Men feel they can “last longer” when using a condom Allow men to have an active part in preventing pregnancy	Have to use a new one every time you have sexual intercourse (can only be used once) May disrupt/interrupt sexual activity as it needs to be put on just before penetration Can break Women may be allergic to latex

Internal (Female )Condom
Success Rate with Typical Use: 79%
Pros	Cons
Provide protection against STIs (new product, so not clear how much protection given) and pregnancy Can be inserted well before intercourse so less interruption of sexual activity Male does not need to withdraw right after ejaculation, as he does with a male condom	May move or be uncomfortable Can only use for one act of sexual intercourse Cost about $2.50 each

Withdrawal
Success Rate with Typical Use: 80%
Pros	Cons
Natural, so no side effects Doesn’t cost anything Allows men to be an active part of preventing pregnancy	Doesn’t protect against STIs Not very effective method of contraception Difficult for male to always predict ejaculation May decrease sexual pleasure of woman since need to always be thinking about what is happening during sexual intercourse No control by women- need to rely completely on men to prevent pregnancy

Contraceptive Sponge
Success Rate with Typical Use: 76-83%
Pros	Cons
Can insert right before or several hours before sexual intercourse and will provide protection against pregnancy for a total of 24 hours Don’t need a prescription	Doesn’t protect against STIs and may increase the risk of HIV infection in women who have sex multiple times daily because of irritation from the spermicide Can’t take out until 6 hours after sexual intercourse Can’t be used by women who are allergic to nonoxynol-9 (in the spermicides) Increases urinary tract infections

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
Success Rate with Typical Use (only applies if you meet all conditions): 98%
Pros	Cons
Natural Costs nothing No side effects	Only effective in women who have given birth in last 6 months, who have not had a menstrual period after childbirth and are feeding their babies only breast milk Doesn’t protect against STIs Only effective until menstrual period returns May need to use a lubricant with sexual intercourse because of vaginal dryness

Fertility Awareness Based Methods
Success Rate with Typical Use: 75-86% depending on method
Pros	Cons
Natural Approved by many religions Woman gets to know her body and menstrual cycles Can be helpful for partners who are very careful and don’t have sex during ovulation period and several days before and after	Doesn’t protect against STIs Need to figure out when ovulating for each month, which may be difficult in those with irregular periods Requires a lot of work- need careful instruction and the woman needs to figure out when ovulating

Spermicide
Success Rate with Typical Use: 79%
Pros	Cons
Doesn’t cost much, available at many drug stores, don’t need a prescription	Doesn’t protect against STIs and may increase the risk of HIV infection in women who have sex multiple times daily because of irritation from the spermicide Effectiveness usually lasts only one hour (need to reapply each time have sexual intercourse) Some women and men may be allergic to spermicides May interrupt sexual activity (some forms need to be inserted at 10-20 minutes before intercourse) Has a lower effectiveness against pregnancy than many other types of contraception- should use with another form of contraception to increase effectiveness

Tubal Ligation (Female Sterilization)
Success Rate with Typical Use: 99%
Pros	Cons
Very effective against pregnancy One time decision that will provide protection against pregnancy forever	Need to have minor surgery Permanent (although it is possible to undo sterilization with major surgery, it’s not always successful) Only should be used by women who are absolutely sure that they do not want any or any more children Expensive- ranges from $1000-$2500- but cost for contraception spread over rest of life No protection against STIs

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm#Contraceptive-Effectiveness

Contraception: Success and Failure Rates of Contraceptives

Posted under Health Guides. Updated 8 May 2022.

Tagged barrier method birth control birth control pills condoms contraception depo-provera spermicide sterilization

These charts show the average number of women who accidentally get pregnant while using contraception over the course of one year.

Typical Use: When contraception is not used every time, or it’s not used according to instructions every time.
Perfect Use: When contraception is used every time, and it is used according to instructions.

Hormonal Implants
Out of 100 Women Using Hormonal Implants
Typical Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

IUD (Intrauterine Device) LNG-IUS (Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)
Out of 100 Women Using an IUD:
Typical Use: 1 or Less Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Less Women Become Pregnant

Copper IUD (Intrauterine Device)
Out of 100 Women Using a Copper IUD:
Typical Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

Female Sterilization
Out of 100 Women Using Female Sterilization
Typical Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

Hormonal Injections – Depo Provera- (Progesterone only)
Out of 100 Women Using Hormonal Injections:
Typical Use: 4 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

Estrogen/Progestin Hormonal Injections (not currently available in the US)
Out of 100 Women Using Estrogen/Progestin Injections:
Typical Use: 6 or Less Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

Birth Control Pills – Combination
Out of 100 Women Using Combination Birth Control Pills
Typical Use: 9 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

Birth Control Pills – Progestin-Only
Out of 100 Women Using Progestin-Only Birth Control Pills
Typical Use: 7 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

Hormone Patch – Ortho-Evra, Xulane
Out of 100 Women Using the Hormone Patch:
Typical Use: 7 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

Vaginal Hormonal Ring – NuvaRing®, Annovera™
Out of 100 Women Using the Vaginal Hormonal Ring:
Typical Use: 7 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Fewer Women Become Pregnant

Diaphragm
Out of 100 Women Using a Diaphragm
Typical Use: 17 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 6 Women Become Pregnant

Contraceptive Sponges
Out of 100 nulliparous* Women Using Contraceptive Sponges *Nulliparous is a medical term that means a woman has never given birth to a baby
Typical Use: 17 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 9 Women Become Pregnant

Cervical Cap
Out of 100 nulliparous* Women Using a Cervical Cap*Nulliparous is a medical term that means a woman has never given birth to a baby
Typical Use: 14 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 9 Women Become Pregnant

Male Condoms
Out of 100 Women Using Male Condoms:
Typical Use: 13 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 2 Women Become Pregnant

Female Condoms
Out of 100 Women Using Female Condoms
Typical Use: 21 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 5 Women Become Pregnant

Withdrawal
Out of 100 Women Using Withdrawal:
Typical Use: 20 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 4 Women Become Pregnant

Lactational Amenorrhea Method
Out of 100 Women Using the LAM Method:
Typical Use: 2 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 2 Women Become Pregnant

Fertility Awareness Based Methods
Out of 100 Women Using Natural Family Planning: Numbers vary depending on method used
Typical Use: 14-25 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 to 5 (average 3) Women Become Pregnant

Spermicides
Out of 100 Women Using Spermicides: 21
Typical Use: 28 Women Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 18 Women Become Pregnant

No Contraceptive Method
Out of 100 Women Using No Contraceptive Method
Typical Use: 85 Women Become Pregnant

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm#Contraceptive-Effectiveness

On this page:

1. The best type of contraception to use to protect me against STDs is:

See correct answer

2. Which form of contraception is most often prescribed for girls with severe menstrual cramps?

See correct answer

3. Which type of contraception does not require a prescription?

See correct answer

4. Which form of contraception usually makes acne better?

See correct answer

5. Which of the following provides the best protection against pregnancy?

See correct answer

6.Which one of the following types of contraception is permanent?

See correct answer

Key Facts

What types of contraception are there?