2. BIRTH CONTROL PILL
Main points
• very effective when used correctly
• makes period cramps better
• good for health (for example, it helps prevent cancer of the ovaries and
uterus, it makes bones stronger and it helps acne)
More information
• a woman takes the pill once a day to prevent pregnancy
• contains hormones which trick the body into thinking it is already
pregnant
• in response to the hormones, the ovaries do not release eggs
• very effective when used correctly ( >99% effective)
• best for people who can remember to take a pill every day
• do not protect against STDs or HIV
• requires a prescription

3. DEPO PROVERA SHOT
Main points
• very effective when used correctly
• convenient – only need to get a shot four times per year
More information
• the Depo shot, also known as Depo Provera, is given in a woman’s arm
or hip every 3 months
• made of hormones which trick the body into thinking it is already pregnant
• in response to the hormones, the ovaries do not release eggs
• very effective when used correctly ( >99% effective)
• the shot does not protect against STI’s or HIV
• a doctor must give the shot

4. IMPLANT
Main points
• very effective when used correctly
• very convenient - prevents pregnancy for up to 3 years
More information
• soft tube that goes under the skin in a woman’s upper arm
• hormones are slowly released out of the tube and into the woman’s body
• prevents pregnancy mainly by making it hard for sperm to get into the
woman’s cervix and by preventing the ovary from releasing an egg each
month (tricks body into thinking it is already pregnant)
• very effective against pregnancy (>99% effective)
• the implant does not protect against STI’s or HIV.
• a doctor inserts the implant and removes it - there are no stitches

5. CONDOM
Main points
• very good at preventing pregnancy and the transmission of STI’s and HIV
More information
• like thin, strong gloves that create a barrier which stops the egg and
sperm from meeting and stops the exchange of genital fluids
• Male Condon
• male condom is used by unrolling it over an erect penis
• tip of the male condom should be squeezed to push out any air so
there is room for semen when the male ejaculates
• when the male pulls his penis out of his partner’s body, he must hold
the male condom at the base of the penis, so it won’t slip off and spill
semen
• Female condom
• is placed inside the vagina
• when the female condom is removed, the open end must be twisted
so semen remains inside the condom.
• condoms are used only once and then thrown away

6. IUD (INTER-UTERINE DEVICE)
Main points
• extremely effective
• prevents pregnancy for up to 5 years
More information
• a small T-shaped object that goes inside the woman’s uterus
• over 95% effective
• does not protect against STI’s or HIV
• prevents pregnancy by slowing down the sperm and making it hard for
sperm to get into the woman’s cervix
• a doctor must put the IUD in the uterus and take it out
• the IUD is inserted into the uterus through the vagina - the sides of the “T”
collapse into a skinny straight line when it goes into the body

7. PATCH
Main points
• very effective when used correctly
• convenient – only need to do something once per week
More information
• a small, thin, beige-colored patch that sticks to a woman’s skin
• hormones diffuse into the woman’s body through her skin, tricking the
body into thinking it is already pregnant – as a result, the ovaries do not
release eggs
• woman puts on a new patch once a week, for 3 weeks in a row, and then
has one week without a patch
• very effective when used correctly (99% effective)
• women can still take showers, swim, play sports, and go in hot tubs with
the patch
• does not protect against STI’s or HIV
• requires a doctor’s prescription

8. VAGINAL RING (NUVA RING)
Main points
• very effective when used correctly
• convenient – only need to do something once per month
• very helpful for women with heavy or painful periods
More information
• a soft, plastic, flexible ring that’s about two inches wide
• woman puts the ring inside her vagina, and it stays there for three weeks
(it does not hurt and she should not be able to feel it)
• contains hormones that trick the body into thinking it is already pregnant –
as a result, the ovaries do not release eggs.
• very effective when used correctly ( >95% effective)
• does not protect against STI’s or HIV
• requires a doctor’s prescription

9. ABSTINENCE
Main points
• abstinence is a behavior
• voluntarily refraining from sexual contact
• 100% effective when followed consistently
More information
• when used consistently, abstinence is 100% effective against preventing
pregnancy
• when used consistently, abstinence is 100% effective against STI’s
• safe, easy and free