Using Birth Control

The following table outlines different methods of birth control. Read this carefully and you’ll learn what they are, how they work and how effective they can be when used correctly.

Type of birth control	What is it?	How it works	Effectiveness	Consider this
Oral Contraceptives (The Pill)	Birth control pills taken daily.	Uses female hormones to prevent pregnancy.	>99% effective	Side effects may include irregular bleeding, headaches, vaginal irritation, discomfort or discharge, nausea, and breast tenderness Rare but serious health risks for women 35+ who smoke The progestogen-only mini-pill is not a suitable method of contraception during Clarus treatment
Contraceptive Patch	A small, square beige patch that sticks to a woman’s skin.	Uses female hormones to prevent pregnancy (similar to The Pill).	>99% effective	Side effects may include breast tenderness, headache, irregular bleeding and spotting, and skin reactions where the patch is applied
Vaginal Ring	A soft, flexible, clear plastic ring inserted into the vagina.	Uses female hormones to prevent pregnancy (similar to The Pill).	>98% effective	Side effects may include irregular bleeding, headaches, vaginal irritation, discomfort or discharge, nausea, and breast tenderness Breakthrough bleeding (bleeding between periods) occurs in about 5% of women Women who cannot take the birth control pill for medical reasons cannot use the ring either
Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)	A small, T-shaped device with a copper wire inserted into the uterus.	The copper wire changes the chemistry in the uterus and destroys sperm.	98-99% effective Provides up to 5 years of contraception	Side effects may include increased cramps, spotting, depression, acne, headache, breast tenderness
Diaphragm	A saucer-shaped disk with a flexible spring rim that covers the cervix.	Prevents sperm from entering the uterus.	80-94% effective with spermicide Lasts for several years	Must be fitted by a doctor or a health worker since they come in different sizes
Cervical Cap	A deep latex cap that fits inside the vagina against the cervix.	Prevents sperm from entering the uterus.	80-91% effective with spermicide	Must be used with spermicide, and must be kept in place for six hours after sexual intercourse
Contraceptive Sponge	A soft, round piece of foam, with low concentrations of spermicide.	Prevents sperm from entering the uterus. Spermicides kills sperm.	75-90% effective One sponge can be used for up to 12 hours of sexual intercourse Most effective when used with a condom	Don’t use if allergic to spermicide
Condoms	Male condom - thin sheath that rolls down over the penis. Female condom - thin sheath inserted into the vagina.	Prevents sperm from entering the vagina.	Male condom is 86-97% effective Female condom is 79-85% effective Male condom is most effective when used with another contraceptive Both help prevent sexually transmitted diseases	Can break or slip off Male condom is recommended to be used with other contraceptives
Spermicide	A cream (only for use with diaphragms), gel, foam, film or suppository, inserted into the vagina and used in combination with other methods of birth control.	Applied to the vagina to kill sperm.	Effective only when used in combination with a condom, cervical cap, or diaphragm	Do not use spermicides alone

Adapted from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist of Canada, Clinical Practice Guidelines: Canadian Contraception Consensus, 2004.