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Birth Control Methods

Birth control pill

Women take the pill every day for most or all of their cycle to try not to get pregnant. The birth control pill works in different days. It:

Stops ovaries from releasing an egg each month
Makes it more difficult for sperm to travel to fertilize and egg by thickening the mucus at the cervix
Makes it harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus A doctor has to give you a prescription.

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Cervical cap

A cervical cap is a barrier type of birth control, meaning it’s designed to stop sperm from reaching the egg. A woman puts it into her vagina before having vaginal sex. It can be used to try not to get pregnant.

A cervical cap is a cup made of rubber. It’s shaped like a thimble. A doctor or nurse can figure out what size of cervical cap is needed. They will also show a woman how to use it. A cervical cap fits snugly over the cervix, where it forms a seal, like a suction cup. The cervix is the opening to the uterus. Once the cap is in place it should feel comfortable. A cervical cap has to be used with spermicidal jelly or cream. Spermicidal jelly or cream kills sperm. When sperm is killed, the chances of getting pregnant are lower.

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Condom

A condom is a barrier type of birth control, meaning it’s designed to stop sperm from reaching the egg. It can be used to try not to get pregnant. Condoms also help protect people from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It goes on before any penetration occurs.

A condom is a thin covering, usually made of latex rubber. A man wears it over his erect penis during sex. A female condom is made of polyurethane, and is inserted into a woman’s vagina.

Condoms come in many shapes, colours and flavours. Condoms made from lambskin do not protect against STIs.

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Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera is a form of birth control. A clinician injects it into the patient. An injection every three months is required to try not to get pregnant. Depo-Provera can cause a loss of bone calcium, which affects bone density. Osteoporosis is a real risk – this is when the skeleton becomes spongy and bones break more easily. A doctor or nurse can help determine if Depo-Provera is the right form of birth control for you.

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Diaphragm

A diaphragm is a form of birth control that goes into the vagina before vaginal sex. It can be used to try not to get pregnant.

A diaphragm is a shallow cup made of rubber. It’s shaped like a dome. It has a rim that is flexible. A doctor or nurse fit women with the right size and explain how to use it. A diaphragm is placed deep in the vagina. Once it is in, it should feel comfortable. A diaphragm has to be used with spermicidal jelly or cream. Spermicidal jelly and cream kill sperm. When the sperm is killed, your chances of getting pregnant are lower.

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Emergency contraception

The four-pill emergency contraceptive is a type of hormonal emergency birth control. Emergency contraception (EC) is taken as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse. EC is most effective if taken within 72 hours, but there is evidence that it is effective up to five days after unprotected intercourse. Females can get EC from doctors, sexual health clinics and emergency rooms.

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Plan B

Plan B is a type of hormonal emergency contraception. It can be taken up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse, but it is more effective taken sooner.

In May, 2008, Plan B became fully over the counter in most parts of Canada. This means that you can go into a drugstore and buy Plan B without a prescription, and without having to speak to a pharmacist.

Plan B is often in sexual health clinics, and can be cheaper to buy there.

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Evra Patch

The Evra Patch is a hormonal form of birth control. It is a patch for the skin used to try not to get pregnant. A patch stays on for 7 days, when it is replaced with a new one. After wearing 3 patches, take one week off for a period. The Evra Patch can go into a bath, shower or while swimming. A doctor has to prescribe the patch.

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Fertility awareness methods

Fertility awareness methods are different ways someone can use to figure out when she is most likely to get pregnant. She can observe and track her body’s physical changes throughout the month. You can use these methods to try not to get pregnant. Fertility awareness methods are not as effective as other methods of birth control, and they require a lot of time and effort. You can learn how to use fertility awareness methods at some sexual health clinics.

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IUD

An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small piece of plastic that is inserted by a doctor into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It is approximately 1½ inches (3 centimetres) in length. There are several different types of IUDs. The most common IUD is T-shaped and coated with copper. This can be left in the uterus for up 2–5 years. Another type of IUD contains a hormone (progestin), but it needs to be replaced once a year. Attached to the IUD are two plastic threads or strings that hang down through the cervix into the vagina. The cervix is the opening to the uterus. The threads or strings do not hang outside the body. It’s a good idea to check for these strings after each period.

The IUD can also be used as an emergency method of birth control. If an IUD is inserted within 7 days after unprotected vaginal sex it may prevent a pregnancy.

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Lea’s Shield

Lea’s Shield is a barrier method of birth control. You put it into your vagina before you have vaginal sex. You can use it to try not to get pregnant. Lea’s Shield is made of a rubber-like material (silicone), not latex. It’s shaped like a dome and fits snugly over the cervix (the opening to the uterus). There is a valve along the bottom of Lea’s Shield to help it attach to the cervix. There is a loop at the front of the shield that is used to help remove it. Once it is in, Lea’s Shield is comfortable. Lea’s Shield has to be used with spermicidal jelly (not foam) to kill the sperm. When sperm is killed, your chances of getting pregnant are lower.

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NuvaRing

The NuvaRing is a once-a-month hormonal contraceptive. You can use it to try not to get pregnant. It is a small ring that is inserted in the vagina, where it remains in place continuously for 3 weeks. During that time, the ring delivers hormones through the vagina and into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. The ring is then removed for one week, after which a new ring is inserted.

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Protectaid Sponge

The Protectaid Sponge is a form of birth control. You put it into your vagina before you have vaginal sex. You can use it to help prevent yourself from getting pregnant. The sponge is a soft, round piece of foam. It has foam handles to pull it out. The sponge works as a barrier, covering the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus. The sponge holds 3 different spermicides which kill sperm. When sperm is killed, your chances of getting pregnant are lower.

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Spermicide

A spermicide is a form of birth control. You put it into your vagina before you have vaginal sex. You can use it to try not to get pregnant.

There are two parts that make up a spermicide:

spermicidal chemical that kills the sperm
Foam, cream, film or jelly suppository which holds the spermicide in the vagina near the cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus

Nononoxynol-9 is one of the most common spermicidal chemicals. According to the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health, using a lot of nonoxynol-9 (using it every day, for example) can irritate the vaginal or anal lining, increasing the risk of getting HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea.

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Sterilization

Sterilization is a kind of operation done by a doctor. It is used as a method of birth control. A woman can have it done so that she does not get pregnant. This is called a tubal ligation. A man can have it done so that he does not get his partner(s) pregnant. This is called a vasectomy. Once you are sterilized, you will probably not be able to have children for the rest of your life.

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Today Sponge

The Today Sponge is a form of birth control. You put it into your vagina before vaginal intercourse to try not to get pregnant. The Today Sponge is a soft, round piece of polyurethane foam. It has a handle so it can be removed. The sponge works as a barrier, covering the cervix which is the opening to the uterus. The sponge holds spermicide which kills sperm.

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Vaginal Contraceptive Film

Vaginal contraceptive film (VCF) is a form of birth control. You put it in your vagina before vaginal intercourse to try not to get pregnant. It is a very thin (2x2 inch) square film. It dissolves very quickly. VCF contains a spermicde, which kills sperm.

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Withdrawal

Withdrawal is a form of birth control. During sex, the male takes his penis out of a female’s vagina before he ejaculates. When a male ejaculates (cums), he releases a fluid called semen. Sperm is found in semen. Withdrawal does not always work. A male cannot always control when he is going to ejaculate, and may cum before he can take his penis out of the female’s vagina. Also, even before they cum, males release a small amount of clear liquid from their penis, which they may not be aware of. This is called pre-ejaculate – or pre-cum – which can also have sperm in it. If a female gets pre-ejaculate in her vagina, she could become pregnant.