Birth Control
Birth control is how you prevent pregnancy. There are lots of different birth control options out there. We’re here to help you figure it all out.
Pick what’s important to you to find your best birth control method:
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Birth Control Implant
- 99% Effective
- $0 to $1300
- 5 years
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Easiest to Use
- Helps with periods
- Less or No Hormones
- Doctor or Nurse
- What is it?
- How effective is the birth control implant?
- How can I get the birth control implant?
- What happens when the birth control implant is inserted?
- What are the side effects of the birth control implant?
- How safe is the birth control implant?
- What are the benefits of using the birth control implant?
- What are the disadvantages of birth control implants?
- What happens when the birth control implant is removed?
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Less than 1 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
Easiest to Use
- Mistake proof – once it’s in place, you don’t need to do anything for up to 5 years
Helps with periods
- Can make periods and cramps lighter or go away altogether
Less or No Hormones
- Progestin-only and no estrogen
Doctor or Nurse
- Placed and removed by a doctor or nurse
IUD
- 99% Effective
- $0 to $1300
- 3-12 years
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Easiest to Use
- Helps with periods
- Less or No Hormones
- Doctor or Nurse
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Less than 1 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
Easiest to Use
- Mistake proof – once it’s put in, there’s nothing you need to do for up to 3-12 years
Helps with periods
- Can make periods and cramps lighter or go away altogether (only hormonal IUDs)
Less or No Hormones
-
No hormones in copper IUD
-
No estrogen in hormonal IUDs
Doctor or Nurse
- Placed and removed by a doctor or nurse
Birth Control Shot
- 96% Effective
- $0 to $150
- 3 months
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Helps with periods
- Less or No Hormones
- Doctor or Nurse
- What is it?
- How effective is the birth control shot?
- Are there birth control shot side effects?
- How safe is the birth control shot?
- How do I use the birth control shot?
- How much does the birth control shot cost?
- What are the benefits of the birth control shot?
- What are the disadvantages of the birth control shot?
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
-
Only 6 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
-
Works even better if you always get it on time
Helps with periods
- Can make periods and cramps lighter or go away altogether
Less or No Hormones
- Progestin-only and no estrogen
Doctor or Nurse
- You get or give yourself a shot every 3 months
Birth Control Vaginal Ring
Birth Control Vaginal Ring
- 93% Effective
- Can cost $0 to $200
- Put in and take out once a month
- 93% Effective
- $0 to $200
- Monthly
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Helps with Periods
- Doctor or Nurse
- What is it?
- How effective is the birth control ring?
- What are the side effects of the birth control ring?
- How safe is the birth control ring?
- How do I use the birth control ring?
- What do I do if I make a mistake with the ring?
- How do I get the birth control ring?
- What are the benefits of the birth control ring?
- What are the disadvantages of the birth control ring?
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Only 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
- Works even better if you always change your ring on time
Helps with Periods
-
Regulates and lightens periods, eases period symptoms
-
Can be used to skip periods
Doctor or Nurse
- You need a prescription from a doctor or nurse
Birth Control Patch
- 93% Effective
- $0 to $150
- Weekly
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Helps with Periods
- Doctor or Nurse
- What is it?
- How effective is the birth control patch?
- What are the side effects of the birth control patch?
- How safe is the birth control patch?
- How do I use the birth control patch?
- What do I do if I make a patch mistake?
- How do I get the birth control patch?
- What are the benefits of the birth control patch?
- What are the disadvantages of the patch?
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
-
Only 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
-
Works even better if you always change your patch on time
Helps with Periods
- Regulates and lightens periods, eases period symptoms
- Can be used to skip periods
Doctor or Nurse
- You need a prescription from a Doctor or Nurse Required
Birth Control Pill
- 93% Effective
- $0 to $50
- Daily
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Helps with Periods
- Less or No Hormones
- Doctor or Nurse
- What is it?
- How effective is the birth control pill?
- What are the side effects of the birth control pill?
- How safe is the birth control pill?
- How do I use the birth control pill?
- What do I do if I miss a birth control pill?
- How do I get birth control pills?
- What are the benefits of the birth control pill?
- What are the disadvantages of the pill?
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Only 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
- Works even better if you always take your pill each day
Helps with Periods
-
Regulates and lightens periods, eases period symptoms
-
Can be used to skip periods
Less or No Hormones
- No estrogen in progestin-only pills (mini-pills)
Doctor or Nurse
- You need a prescription from a doctor or nurse
Condom
- 87% Effective
- $0 to $2
- Every time
- Less or No Hormones
- Helps Prevent STDs
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Helps Prevent STDs
- Helps prevent STDs during oral, vaginal, or anal sex
Internal Condom
- 79% Effective
- $0 to $3
- Every time
- Less or No Hormones
- Helps Prevent STDs
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Helps Prevent STDs
- Helps prevent STDs during vaginal or anal sex
Diaphragm
- 83% Effective
- $0 to $75
- Every time
- Less or No Hormones
- Doctor or Nurse
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Doctor or Nurse
- You need a prescription from a Doctor or Nurse Required
Birth Control Sponge
- 78 or 86% Effective
- $0 to $15
- Every time
- Less or No Hormones
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Cervical Cap
- 71 or 86% Effective
- $0 to $90
- Every time
- Less or No Hormones
- Doctor or Nurse
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Doctor or Nurse
- You need a prescription from a doctor or nurse
Spermicide & Gel
- 79 or 86% Effective
- $0 to $270
- Every time
- Less or No Hormones
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Fertility Awareness (FAMs)
- 77-98% Effective
- $0 to $20
- Daily
- Less or No Hormones
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Withdrawal (Pull Out Method)
- 78% Effective
- $0
- Every time
- Less or No Hormones
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Outercourse and Abstinence
- 100% Effective
- $0
- Every time
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Less or No Hormones
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- 100% effective, as long as you stick to it
-
If you never get semen (cum) on the vulva or in the vagina, pregnancy can’t happen
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Breastfeeding as Birth Control
- 98% Effective
- $0
- Every time
- Less or No Hormones
Less or No Hormones
- Uses your body’s own hormones
Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)
- 99% Effective
- $0 to $6000
- For life
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Easiest to Use
- Less or No Hormones
- Doctor or Nurse
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
-
Less than 1 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
Easiest to Use
- Mistake proof – once you get sterilized, there’s nothing else you need to do
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Doctor or Nurse
- Procedure done by a Doctor or Nurse Required
Vasectomy
- 99% Effective
- $0 to $1000
- For life
- Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Easiest to Use
- Less or No Hormones
- Doctor or Nurse
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
- Less than 1 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
Easiest to Use
- Mistake proof – once you get a vasectomy, there’s nothing else you need to do
Less or No Hormones
- No hormones
Doctor or Nurse
- Procedure done by a Doctor or Nurse Required
What do the experts say about birth control?
Read questions and answers about birth control on our blog.
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Spot On Period Tracker
Spot On is a period and birth control tracking mobile app available for Android and iOS phones that can help you stay on top of your birth control method and track your cycle. The app provides customized appointment reminders, and puts birth control and sexual health resources from the experts at Planned Parenthood at your fingertips.
Accidents Happen. That’s Why There’s Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. There are a few different kinds. Find out which one is right for you.
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