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Primary
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Oral Contraceptives (The Pill)
|
Birth control pills taken daily.
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Uses female hormones to prevent pregnancy.
|
>99% effective
|
Side effects may include irregular
bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea,
weight gain and mood changes. There are
rare but serious health risks for women
35 years+ who smoke. The progestogen only mini-pills are not a suitable method of
contraception during Clarus therapy.
|
|
Primary
|
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. May be less effective for
women with a body mass greater than 190
lbs (90 kg).
|
|
Primary
|
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
|
|
Primary
|
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.
|
|
Barrier
|
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. Must be
kept in place for six hours after intercourse.
It is reusable for several years with proper
maintenance and storage.
|
Must be fitted by a doctor or a healthcare
professional since they come in different
sizes. Diaphragms should not be left in
longer than 24 hours after insertion.
|
|
Barrier
|
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.
|
|
Barrier
|
Contraceptive
Sponge
|
A soft, round piece
of foam, with low
concentrations of
spermicide.
|
Prevents sperm
from entering
the uterus.
Spermicides kills
sperm.
|
The Today sponge has a perfect use failure
rate of 9-20% and a typical failure rate of
12-24%. 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. Must be
kept for at least six hours after intercourse.
|
|
Barrier
|
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.
|
The estimated probability of failure
with perfect use of male condoms is
2%, whereas typical-use failure rates
are approximately 18%. The 12 month
pregnancy rate for perfect (correct and
consistent) use of the female condom is
5%, while the typical-use failure rate
is 21%.
|
Can break or slip off. Male condom is
recommended to be used with other
contraceptives.
|
|
Barrier
|
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.
Vaginal spermicides are among the least
effective of all modern family planning
methods. Failure rate in the first year of
use is 18% with perfect use and 28% with
typical use.
|
Do not use spermicides alone
|
