What to prevent pregnancy

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Birth Control Methods
Reversible Methods of Birth Control
Permanent Methods of Birth Control
Other Forms of Pregnancy Prevention
Emergency Contraception

Contraception, or birth control, helps prevent pregnancies and plan the number and spacing of children. There are many options to choose from to prevent pregnancy. Some methods are more effective than others, and no one product is best for everyone.

Birth Control Methods

Birth control falls into two broad categories: reversible and permanent. Reversible methods allow individuals to stop birth control when they would like to become pregnant. Permanent methods cannot generally be undone once completed. The Food and Drug Administration has information about approved medical birth control options in English and in Spanish.

Reversible Methods of Birth Control

Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives

These contraceptive methods allow individuals to prevent pregnancy for multiple years.

Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD): The copper IUD contains no hormones and is made with copper and plastic. The copper acts as a spermicide (substance that kills sperm) and prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg.
Hormonal IUD: Hormonal IUDs contain the hormone progestin levonorgestrel. The progestin causes cervical mucus to thicken and the lining of the uterus to thin, which keeps the sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg.

Contraceptive Shots

The contraceptive shot is an injection of progestin, one of the hormones found in birth control pills. Individuals using this method get the shot from their doctor once every three months.

Short-acting Hormonal Methods

These contraceptive methods use hormones to keep the ovaries from releasing eggs and possibly prevent the sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg.

Birth Control Pill: This method is also known as oral contraceptive or “the pill.” There are two main kinds: combined pills, which contain estrogen and progestin, and mini-pills, which only contain progestin.
Birth Control Patch: The birth control patch is a thin, beige plastic square about two inches across that delivers hormones. Patches are used on a four-week cycle (three weeks on and one week off).
Vaginal Ring: This small, flexible, plastic ring is inserted in the vagina and contains the same hormones (progestin and estrogen) found in most birth control pills.

Barrier Methods

There are several birth control methods that involve using a physical barrier to block the sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg. When deciding how to prevent pregnancy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages couples to consider methods that offer dual protection from risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Male Condom: A male condom is a thin film cover that is placed over the penis and keeps sperm from entering a partner’s body. Using a male condom consistently and correctly reduces the risk for HIV infection and other STIs.
Diaphragm and Cervical Cap: The diaphragm and cervical cap are silicone cups that are used with spermicide gel or cream. It is inserted into the vagina and over the cervix to keep sperm from entering the uterus.
Female Condom: The female condom is a thin, soft, loose-fitting pouch (or sheath) with a flexible soft ring on each end. One end of the female condom fits inside of the vagina to keep it in place, and the other stays outside of the vagina.
Sponge with Spermicide: The sponge is a small, disk-shaped device made of soft plastic foam that covers the cervix and contains the spermicide nonoxynol-9 (N-9). The spermicide in the sponge is placed inside the vagina, covering the cervix, prior to having sex and works by continuously releasing spermicide to kill sperm.

Permanent Methods of Birth Control

There are two options for sterilization, a form of contraception that is meant to be permanent.

Tubal ligation (females): In this procedure—also known as “having your tubes tied”—the fallopian tubes are cut, sealed, clipped, or tied, so the egg and sperm can’t meet in the fallopian tube.
Vasectomy (males): This procedure involves cutting, tying, or blocking the vas deferens—two tubes that carry sperm to the penis.

Other Forms of Pregnancy Prevention

The following forms of pregnancy prevention do not require any physical or medical materials.

Abstinence: Sexual abstinence is defined as refraining from all forms of sexual activity and genital contact, such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex. This method is the only 100 percent effective way to protect against pregnancy, ensuring there is no exchange of bodily fluids (such as vaginal secretions and semen).
Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness: Fertility awareness-based methods (FABM) help women and couples become more familiar with the signs of ovulation and the pattern of the menstrual cycle to understand how to plan sexual activity to either avoid pregnancy or become pregnant.
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): LAM is a form of natural birth control that relies on the new mother feeding her baby only breastmilk for up to six months and having no periods or spotting during that time.
Withdrawal: While having intercourse, before ejaculating, a person pulls the penis out of the partner’s vagina and away from the partner’s genitals (sex organs). It prevents fertilization by not allowing semen (and sperm) to enter the vagina so that sperm does not reach the egg.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is not a regular method of birth control. Emergency contraception is birth control that a person can use after unprotected sex—if you did not use birth control or if regular birth control failed. It should be used as soon as possible within three to five days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception methods are more effective the sooner they are taken. Emergency contraception does not work if the person is already pregnant. There are two main types of emergency contraception: emergency contraceptive pills and the copper T intrauterine device (IUD).

Contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy and some types will provide you with protection against sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

When thinking about contraception, you might find yourself asking: which method will be best for me and my lifestyle? Which method protects against STIs? What about convenience of use? How effective will it be? Possible side-effects?

To answer these questions, we’ll look at nine popular types of contraception. Let’s start with...

Condoms are the only form of contraception that protect against most STIs as well as preventing pregnancy. They’re hormone free, can be used on demand and will easily fit into a purse or knapsack. They also come in male and female varieties.

Male condoms are rolled onto an erect penis to create a physical barrier, preventing sexual fluids from passing between people during sex. The female condom is placed inside the vagina right before sex. Based on typical use, the female condom is not quite as effective as the male latex condom and takes a little practice getting used to.

Pros include: It’s the best protection against STIs; can be used on demand; hormone free.

Cons include: It can tear or come off during sex if not used properly; some people are allergic to latex condoms.

Condoms are the only form of contraception that also protect against STIs.

The oral contraceptive pill is the most commonly reported method of contraception used by Australian women. There are a few different types to choose from, so it’s about finding the one that’s right for you. The combined pill contains estrogen and progestin while the mini pill contains only one hormone, progestin. The pill can have many benefits, however remembering to take it on time is a must.

Pros include: Highly effective when used correctly; permits sexual spontaneity and doesn’t interrupt sex; sometimes the pill may even reduce heavy and painful periods and/or may have a positive effect on acne.

Cons include: Forgetting to take your pill means it won’t be as effective; it can only be used by women; is not suitable for women who can't take oestrogen-containing contraception; it offers no protection against STIs.

The pill is only available by getting a prescription from a medical professional so visit your local doctor or sexual health clinic.

The oral contraceptive pill is used once, daily and is currently the most common contraception used by Australian women.

This small, T-shaped device is made from material containing progesterone hormone or plastic and copper and is fitted inside a woman’s uterus by a trained healthcare professional. It's a long-acting and reversible method of contraception, which can stay in place for three to 10 years, depending on the type used.

Some types of IUDs contain hormones that are gradually released to prevent pregnancy. The IUD can be an effective emergency contraception if fitted by a healthcare professional within five days of having unprotected sex. IUDs containing coppers are 99% effective while the ones containing hormones are 99.8% effective. You’re about as protected as you possibly can be when using an IUD.

Cons include: Irregular bleeding and spotting occurs in the first six months of use; requires a trained healthcare provider for insertion and removal; does not protect against STIs.

IUDs offer very effective protection against pregnancy.

In this method, a small, flexible rod is placed beneath the skin in a woman’s upper arm, slowly releasing a form of the hormone progesterone. This hormone stops the ovary releasing the egg and thickens the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. The implant requires a small procedure using local anesthetic to fit and remove the rod which needs to be replaced every three years.

Pros include: Highly effective; doesn’t interrupt sex; is a long-lasting, reversible contraceptive option.

Cons include: Requires a trained healthcare professional for insertion and removal; sometimes there can be irregular bleeding initially; offers no protection against STIs.

Women can choose to use the implant as a long-term contraceptive method.

This injection contains a synthetic version of progestogen. It’s given into a woman’s buttocks or the upper arm, and over the next 12 weeks the hormone is slowly released into the bloodstream.

Pros include: Lasts for up to three months; is very effective; permits sexual spontaneity and doesn’t interrupt sex.

Cons include: May disrupt periods or cause irregular bleeding; requires the user to keep track of the months used; offers no protection against STIs.

The contraceptive injection uses progestogen to prevent pregnancy.

The Emergency Contraception Pill can be used to prevent pregnancy after sex if contraception wasn’t used, contraception failed, or a woman has been sexually assaulted. This pill contains special doses of female hormones designed to prevent pregnancy up to five days after having unprotected sex. It’s more effective the sooner it’s taken.

Cons include: Vomiting is a common side effect, next period might come early or be delayed; offers no protection against STIs.

Emergency contraception can be used after having sex to prevent pregnancy.

This method sees the woman place a flexible plastic ring in her vagina. It slowly releases the hormones oestrogen and progestogen which are the same hormones used in the combined oral contraceptive pill, but at a lower dose. The ring stays in place for three weeks, and then removed for a week before popping a new one in.

Pros include: You can insert and remove a vaginal ring yourself; this contraceptive method has few side effects, gives you control of your periods and allows your fertility to return quickly when the ring is removed.

Cons include: It is not suitable for women who can't take oestrogen-containing contraception; you need to remember to replace it at the right time; offers no protection against STIs.

The contraceptive ring releases a lower dose of hormones to control a woman's ability to conceive than other contraceptive methods like the pill.

A diaphragm is a small, soft dome of silicon placed inside the vagina to prevent sperm entering the uterus. It forms a physical barrier between the man's sperm and the woman's egg just like a condom. It needs to stay in place for at least six hours after sex.

Six hours after sex - but no longer than 24 - it needs to be taken out and cleaned.

Pros include: You can use the same diaphragm more than once, and it can last up to two years if you keep good care of it.

Cons include: Using a diaphragm can take practice and requires keeping track of the hours inserted. The diaphragm works fairly well if used correctly, but not as well as the pill, a contraceptive implant or an IUD.

Diaphragms might seem like an 'old school' method of contraception, but could they be your contraception of choice?

Sterilisation is the process of completely taking away the body’s ability to reproduce through open or minimally invasive surgery. It’s a permanent method of contraception, suitable for people who are absolutely sure that they never want children or do not want more. Sterilisation is available for both men and women and is performed in a hospital with general anesthesia.

If you are thinking about sterilisation, talk with your doctor. They can talk to you about the side effects, risks and complications and might offer up some alternative methods of contraception that might be more suitable.

Because sterilisation can be permanent, it's only suitable for people who definitely do not want to have any children, or any further children, in the future.