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.
Not being involved in any type of sexual behavior is the only method of birth control that is 100% effective. Even if you use one of the recommended methods properly, there is still a risk of getting pregnant.
It is recommended that two reliable forms (Primary and Barrier forms) of contraception be used simultaneously. At least one of these forms of contraception must be a primary form (i.e. oral contraceptive, contraceptive patch, vaginal ring, intra-uterine device), unless the patient has undergone a hysterectomy. Remember, any birth control method can fail.
| Methods | Type of birth control | What is it? | How it works | Effectiveness | Consider this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Oral Contraceptives (The Pill) | Birth control pills taken daily. | 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 |
Adapted from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, Clinical Practice Guidelines: Canadian Contraception Consensus, 2015.
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