There are lots of good options for birth control. Your best choices are those that you find easy to use—so you never go without it.

Some birth control methods work around the clock. Others work only when you use them, which means it's so very important to use them every time you have sex. And of course, no matter what kind of birth control you use, you always need a plan for protecting yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Your options for birth control include:

• Abstinence. Not having sex (abstinence) is the most effective method of birth control and protection from STIs.
• Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). LARC includes implants (Figure 1) and intrauterine devices (Figure 2) (IUDs). LARC is the best reversible method for preventing pregnancy. "Long-acting" means that they will prevent pregnancy for years. "Reversible" means that you can have them removed if you want to get pregnant later.
  • The implant. The implant, which is about the size of a matchstick, is put under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. In some cases the implant can be used longer. Talk to your doctor about how long you can use it. The implant does not protect against STIs.
  • Intrauterine device (IUD). The IUD is a small device that is inserted into the uterus by your doctor. There are two main types of IUDs—copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs. When an IUD is in place, it can provide birth control for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type. In some cases an IUD can be used longer. Talk to your doctor about how long you can use it. IUDs do not protect against STIs.
• Barrier methods. Typically, barrier methods (Figure 3) are not highly effective at preventing pregnancy. The diaphragm, the cap, and male or female condoms are examples of barrier methods. They block the sperm from fertilizing an egg. You use one each time you have sex. Using a condom is the only barrier method that helps protect against STIs. Diaphragms and cervical caps are not widely available in Canada. Buying the necessary spermicidal jelly to use with them is difficult.
• The pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring. These methods are very reliable means of birth control. These methods have hormones that stop you from releasing an egg each month (ovulation). You can choose to take a pill at the same time every day, change a patch every week, or change a ring every 3 weeks. These methods do not protect against STIs.
• The shot. This method is a very reliable means of birth control. The shot contains hormones that prevent pregnancy for 3 months. You see your doctor every 3 months for the shot. The shot does not protect against STIs.

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (EC) can be used to prevent pregnancy if you've had sex without birth control you can count on. The most effective emergency contraception is a copper IUD (inserted by a doctor). You can also get emergency contraceptive pills. You can get them with a prescription from your doctor or without a prescription at most drugstores or sexual health clinics.

If you have unprotected sex, use EC as soon as possible. If you are already pregnant and use EC pills, they will not stop or harm a pregnancy.

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Figure 1 - Subdermal implant for birth control

The progestin-only hormone implant (such as Nexplanon)

The progestin-only hormone subdermal (under the skin) implant releases hormones that prevent pregnancy for 3 years. In some cases it can be used longer. Talk to your doctor about how long you can use it. It must be inserted and removed by a trained health professional. The implant is about the size of a matchstick and is inserted under the skin on the inside of the upper arm.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Figure 2 - Intrauterine Device

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, plastic, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs contain copper or the hormone levonorgestrel (LNg). Plastic strings tied to the end of the IUD hang down through the opening of the uterus (cervix) into the vagina.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Figure 3 - Barrier Methods of Birth Control

Barrier methods keep sperm from entering the uterus and reaching the egg. In general, barrier methods are less effective but have fewer side effects than hormonal methods or IUDs.

Barrier methods include condoms (male and female), diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges.

A male condom is a thin, flexible tube of latex rubber, polyurethane, or sheep intestine that has a closed end. The condom is placed over the erect penis before intercourse.

A female condom is a tube of soft plastic (polyurethane) with a closed end. Each end has a ring or rim. The ring at the closed end is inserted deep into the vagina over the cervix, like a diaphragm, to hold the tube in place. The ring at the open end remains outside the opening of the vagina.

A diaphragm is a round, dome-shaped device made of rubber or silicone with a firm, flexible rim. It fits inside the vagina and covers the cervix, the opening of the uterus. It should always be used with a sperm-killing jelly (spermicide). Diaphragms are not widely available in Canada. Buying the necessary spermicidal jelly to use with the diaphragm is difficult.

A cervical cap is made of rubber and shaped like a large thimble. It fits tightly over the cervix and is used with a spermicide. Cervical caps are not widely available in Canada. Buying the necessary spermicidal jelly to use with the cervical cap is difficult.

A contraceptive sponge contains a spermicide, nonoxynol-9, that is released over the 24 hours that the sponge may be left in the vagina. The sponge also blocks the cervix so sperm can't pass.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Choosing birth control is a very personal thing. Your best choices are those that you find easy to use—so you never go without it.

First, think through some basic facts about your birth control options. Then, focus in on what's important to you. And then, think about who you are and what your style is.

How well does each birth control method protect you?

• Some methods depend on you and how well you use them—every time. These include hormone pills or the hormone patch or ring. The same is true for the condom, sponge, diaphragm, or cap.
• Some methods work very well for long periods of time without you having to do anything. These include the hormone implant or shot, and the IUD.
• Condoms are the only method of birth control that helps protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But using a condom is not the best way to prevent pregnancy. To avoid both STIs and pregnancy, use condoms along with another type of birth control.
• Abstinence depends on your commitment to not have sex. Not having vaginal intercourse prevents pregnancy. And not having oral sex, anal sex, or vaginal sex prevents STIs.

Is it easy to keep with you?

• Some methods easily fit in your bag. These include hormone pills or a condom, sponge, diaphragm, or cap.
• Some methods don't have to be carried around at all. These include the hormone shot or implant, the IUD, or the ring.

What do you think of as "easy to use"?

"Easy to use" birth control means different things to different people. What are you more comfortable with? You may want to try a method a few times. And then you may want to try some others.

• You may have no trouble making sure you have a method with you whenever you need it. Or that may be too hard to keep track of.
• It might be easy for you to put a sponge, ring, diaphragm, or cap into your vagina. Or that could be something you just won't do. Diaphragms and cervical caps are not widely available in Canada. Buying the necessary spermicidal jelly to use with them is difficult.
• Using a method every time you have sex, without error, might be easy for you. Or it may be hard to get it right. If you ever use drugs or alcohol before having sex, this is important to think about.
• "Easy" could mean you don't have to think about it, like the IUD or the implant. Or maybe you're looking for something you can easily switch off of so you can change to another method.

Can you stay on a schedule?

Are you good at remembering things? Or do you tend to lose track of things like your keys or what's on your calendar?

• Can you take a daily pill or change a weekly patch? How about going to your doctor's office every 3 months for a shot?
• Or do you need something that you hardly ever have to think about, like an IUD or a hormone implant?

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