Birth control, also known as contraception, helps prevent pregnancy. It allows you to choose whether you want a child and allows you to plan your pregnancy. Using birth control helps avoid unplanned pregnancy.

Which method of birth control should you use?

There are many different types of birth control. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. It is important to learn about the different choices you have and decide which method will work best for you.

Types of birth control

• Hormonal methods such as the pill, implant, vaginal ring, patch, and injection prevent ovaries from releasing an egg every month.

• Intrauterine devices (IUDs) prevent sperm from reaching an egg. IUDs can also prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. IUDs work well for 5 to 10 years.

• Barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps prevent pregnancy by blocking the sperm from reaching the egg.

• Fertility awareness is a method that includes avoiding sex on the days when a woman is most likely to get pregnant (during her fertile days). You need to know your fertile days by taking your temperature daily and avoiding sex on your most fertile days (or using another type of birth control) to prevent getting pregnant.

• Permanent birth control includes vasectomy for men and tubal ligation for women. This method requires surgery and gives permanent protection against pregnancy. It should only be used if you are sure you do not want children in the future.

Ask yourself these questions before choosing a birth control method:

• How long do I want to postpone getting pregnant?
• Will my partner and I use a barrier method (condoms, etc.) all the time?
• Will I remember to take the pill each day? Will I return for my injection every 3 months?

Talk to your physician or healthcare provider to discuss which method of birth control fits your lifestyle. Choose a method that works best for your lifestyle after talking about the pros and cons. You may have to experiment with different methods before you find a method that works best for you.

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP or Plan B) can prevent pregnancy after you have had sex and didn’t use birth control or your birth control method failed to work. If you take ECPs within 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex, the risk of getting pregnant is reduced by 85 percent.

For more information about birth control and decision making tools, visit Health Encyclopedia.