| Method | description | perscription | Pros | Cons | How much does it cost |
Does it work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abstinence | No sex with a partner. This keeps sperm from joining with egg. Some young people abstain from vaginal sex only, while others abstain from all sexual behaviors. Abstaining from ALL sexual activity is the only way 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and STD's. | Abstinence is a choice that you make for yourself. | No side effects. Protects 100% against pregnancy and STD's. | Can sometimes be hard to maintain because of peer pressure. | Being abstinent is absolutely FREE! | Absolutely. The only method that protects 100% against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STD's). |
| The Shot (Depo-Provera) | A hormone shot in the arm that prevents pregnancy (progestin). | You will need to see a doctor for a prescription to get this method. | Doesn't need to be taken daily or put in before vaginal sex. Lasts for 12 weeks. It's private. No one can tell you're using it. | Only prevents pregnancy for up to 12 weeks. You must return to your doctor's office every 12 weeks. Side effects include irregular or late periods as well as weight gain, headaches, depression, abdominal pain, hair loss, increased hair on the face/body, nervousness, skin rash, or spotty darkening of the skin. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. | Each injection could cost between $35- $75 plus a visit to the doctor of about $20 - $40. | Very well. This method is 97-99.7% effective at preventing pregnancy. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. |
| The Pill | A pill that contains hormones that work in different ways. Combination pills contain estrogen and progestin, while some pills are progestin only. | You will need to see a doctor for a prescription to get this method. | The pill may make your periods more regular and can reduce cramping and menstrual flow. There's nothing to put in place before vaginal sex. | Must be taken at the same time every day. Side effects can include irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, nausea, breast tenderness, changes in mood, headaches. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. | $15 - $50 every month. | Very well. This method is 92-99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. |
| The Patch (Ortho Evra) | A thin plastic patch that you place on your skin at certain points (lower abdomen, upper back, etc). | You will need to see a doctor for a prescription to get this method. | Protects against pregnancy for a month. No pill to take every day. | Some women experience skin reaction to the patch. | $15-$50 a month. | Very well. This method is up to 99.7% effective at preventing pregnancy. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. |
| Vaginal Ring (Nuva Ring) | Small flexible ring inserted into the vagina for three weeks in a row and taken out on the fourth week. | You will need to see a doctor for a prescription to get this method. | Nothing to put in place before sex. No pill to take every day. You insert and remove it privately, and once it's inserted most women don't notice it's in there. | Vaginal irritation or infection. You have to be comfortable enough to insert and remove the ring by yourself. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. | $15-$50 a month. | Very well. This method is up to 99.7% effective at preventing pregnancy. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. |
| Implantable Contraceptive (Implanon) | A single rod that is inserted into the arm that prevents ovulation and alters cervical mucus. | You will need to see a doctor for a prescription to get this method. | No one can see it after it's inserted. Lasts up to three years. Don't have to worry about taking something daily, weekly, or monthly. | Irregular periods. Pain, swelling, irritation, infection at insertion site. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. | Between $400 and $800 up front but prevents pregnancy for up to three years. | Very Well This method is more than 99% at preventing pregnancy. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. |
| Male Condom | A thin sheath of latex or plastic that covers the penis before sex and keeps the sperm from joining with the egg. | Condoms are pretty easy to find. You can buy them in most drugstores and supermarkets. If you are, or are thinking about, becoming sexually active you should see a doctor to determine the best method for you. | Inexpensive and easy to find. Offers very good protection against HIV/AIDS and other STD's. Available in all sorts of brands and types – also available in non-latex for those people allergic to latex (such as Avanti by Trojan). | Condoms can break if not put on correctly. Must not be used with oil-based lubes like Vaseline. Only use water-based lubes such as KY. | Condoms generally cost about $1 each but are sometimes available for free. | Very well. This method 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly and consistently. Does prevent pregnancy and STD's when used correctly every time. Condoms can be more effective if you use spermicide with them and pull out before ejaculating. |
| Diaphragm | A shallow latex cup inserted into the vagina. | Must be fitted for a diaphragm by a doctor or medical provider. | No major health concerns. Can last anywhere from 6 months to several year. | Some types may no longer be available so you should check with your doctor or medical provider first. Can be messy. Should not be left in place for more than 24 hours. If you are allergic to latex, silicone or spermicides, this could cause a reaction. Can be difficult for some women to insert. Must be put inside vagina before sex every time. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's | $15-$75 | Kind of. This method is 84-94% effective at preventing pregnancy. Must be used with spermicidal foam or jelly to increase effectiveness. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's |
| Fem Cap | A silicone cup shaped like a sailor's hat that is inserted into the vagina. | Must be fitted by a doctor or medical provider. | No major health concerns. Can last from six months to several years. | Can be messy and hard for some women to use. The Fem Cap can only be left in place for up to 8 hours. Must be inserted before sex every time. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's | $60 - $75 | Kind of. This method is about 85% effective at preventing pregnancy. Must be used with spermicidal foam or jelly to increase effectiveness. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's |
| The Female Condom | A plastic pouch with a flexible ring at each end that is inserted deep into the vagina. | Female condoms can be purchased in many drugstores and can sometimes be found for free. | Easy to find and buy. Erection unnecessary to keep female condom in place. Offers very good protection against HIV/AIDS and other STD's. | May be noisy. May irritate vagina or penis. May slip into vagina during intercourse. May be difficult to insert. More expensive than the male condom. | The cost can be different depending on where you are, but female condoms generally cost between $2-$4 each. | Kind of. This method is between 79-95% effective at preventing pregnancy. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's. |
| Spermicides, foam, creams, jelly, film or suppository | All are inserted into the vagina just before you have sex. | These can be found in drugstores and supermarkets. | Dissolves in vagina. | Can be messy. May irritate vagina or penis and this increases your chances of getting an infection. May set off allergies. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's | About $8 per package. | Not really. Spermicides are not really effective when used alone. Using condoms or a prescription barrier method will help increase effectiveness. This method is only 71-82% effective at preventing pregnancy. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's |
| Sponge | Is wet with water and inserted into the vagina. | The sponge can be purchase in most drugstores. | This method works well for women who only have sex every once in a while. This helps you avoid possible side effects of a prescription method. | May be difficult to remove. Can be messy. May irritate sex organs. Must be inserted before every time you have sex. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's | $9 -$15 for a three-pack. | Not really. This method is 68-91% effective at preventing pregnancy.% DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's |
| IUD (Intrauterine Device) | A small plastic device inserted into the uterus by a doctor. Available in two forms: Paraguard uses copper and no hormones, can last up to 12 years, and Mirena uses the hormone progesterone and can last up to 5 years. | Must be inserted by doctor or medical provider. | Immediately effective once placed in uterus Do not have to interrupt sex to use it. It's already in place. Don't have to remember to take a pill once a day or change a patch. Is effective in preventing unintended pregnancy for up to 12 years(depending on the kind you choose) Paraguard IUD is good for people who cannot take hormones, since it only releases copper instead of hormones. You can have the IUD taken out at any time – if you choose to get pregnant or want to switch methods. | Side effects include irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, nausea, breast tenderness, changes in mood, headaches. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's | $175 - $650 | Very well. The IUD is 97% - 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's |
| Withdrawl | The man pulls his penis out of the vagina before he ejaculates. | Deciding to use the withdrawal method is a decision you must make with your partner. Both partners should see a doctor and get tested before you have intercourse. | Sperm can be released before the man pulls out. When a man's penis first becomes erect, pre-ejaculate fluid may be on the tip of the penis. This fluid has sperm in it. So you could still get pregnant. Hard to control body's ability to withdraw, for many young men this is difficult to do while engaging in sexual behaviors. DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST STD's | Free | Not really. This method is only 73-96% at preventing pregnancy. Does not Protect AGAINST STD's |