Protection Methods Chart

How Well Where can you get Possible Side Effects (Cons) Type of Method Method Description Benefits (Pros) Does it Work?* the method? (not all are listed)

Don’t have to go Does not require prescription. Delaying Sex/ To not have sex or to delay having sex until a later 100% if used anywhere to get Free. Protects against HIV and None. date. consistently Abstinence this method. STIs.

Can buy at many stores. Covers the penis with a thin layer of latex or Drugstores, Free at many health centers. External polyurethane that acts as a barrier between health centers, Can break or slip off. May irritate 82-98%* Can help prevent early partners. Cannot be reused. Can be used with all school nurses and someone with a latex allergy. Condom ejaculation. Protects against other methods. supermarkets. HIV and many STIs.

Made of Nitrile (latex-free material). Inserted Prescribed by Good for people with latex May slip out of place during Internal into the vagina or anus. Acts as a barrier between health care 79-95%* allergy. Protects against HIV vaginal or anal intercourse. partners. Cannot be reused. Can be used with all provider, covered Condom and other STIs. May be difficult to insert. other methods. by most insurances.

The Copper IUD is a small plastic and copper device that is inserted into the uterus. The IUD changes A health care Copper IUD May increase cramping and cause the environment of the uterus so that sperm and provider must No medicine to remember. (intrauterine 99.2-99.8%* heavier and longer periods. Does egg cannot meet. The IUD may be left in place prescribe, insert, Lasts a long time. NOT protect against HIV or STIs. device) for 12 years. Can also be used as emergency and remove. contraception. The hormonal IUD is a small plastic device that is A health care No medicine to remember. Progestin IUD inserted into the uterus. It contains Progestin. The May cause breakthrough bleeding. provider must May improve period cramps (intrauterine IUD changes the environment of the uterus so that 99.2-99.8%* Does NOT protect against HIV or prescribe, insert, and bleeding. Lasts a long sperm and egg cannot meet. The IUD is effective for STIs. May cause irregular bleeding. device) and remove. time. up to 4-6 years depending on the brand.† The implant is a matchstick-sized plastic rod that is A health care put under the skin of the arm. It contains Progestin, After 1 year of use, many have no provider must No medicine to remember. The Implant which prevents ovulation and thickens cervical 99.9%* period. Does NOT protect against prescribe, insert, Lasts a long time. mucus which prevents sperm from reaching an egg. HIV or STIs. and remove. The implant is effective for up to 4 years. May cause spotting, no period, The shot is an injection that contains the hormone A health care or weight gain. Side effects may Progestin, which prevents the release of an egg and provider must Private. No daily, monthly, or The Shot 91-99.9%* last up to 6 months after stopping thickens cervical mucus. The shot must be injected prescribe and weekly medicine to remember. shots. Does NOT protect against every 3 months. inject. HIV or STIs.

The pill contains hormones (Progestin and often A health care May cause spotting for the first Estrogen) that prevent the release of an egg and Some pills may make periods The Pill 91-99.7%* provider must 1-2 months. Does NOT protect thicken cervical mucus. The pill must be taken at the more regular and less painful. prescribe. against HIV or STIs. same time each day.

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts Education and Training (www.pplm.org). Please call PPLM’s Sexual Health Counseling and Referral Hotline for additional information and the most up-to-date prices: (877) 686-5772 option #3 *2012 Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. “Your Contraceptive Choices” Birth Control Series. †Brand names vary. Consult health care provider with any questions or concerns. Updated 07/2018 Protection Methods Chart Continued

How Well Where can you get Possible Side Effects (Cons) Type of Method Method Description Benefits (Pros) Does it Work?* the method? (not all are listed)

The patch sticks to the skin, and contains Progestin and Estrogen that are absorbed Can irritate skin under the patch. A health care Can make periods more through the skin. These prevent the release of May cause spotting the first 1-2 The Patch 91-99.7%* provider must regular and less painful. an egg and thicken cervical mucus. A new patch months. Does NOT protect against prescribe. No pill to take daily. is applied once a week for three weeks, followed HIV or STIs. by a patch-free fourth week. The ring is a small vinyl acetate ring that is inserted into the vagina. The ring contains Can increase vaginal discharge. A health care Can make periods more Progestin and Estrogen, which prevent the May cause spotting the first 1-2 The Ring 91-99.7%* provider must regular and less painful. release of an egg and thicken cervical mucus. months of use. Does NOT protect prescribe. No pill to take daily. The ring is inserted for three weeks, and then against HIV or STIs. removed for one ring-free fourth week. Plan B®, generic Emergency contraception pills are designed to Plan B®, generic brands: brands: All ages, May cause stomach upset or prevent pregnancy after unprotected vaginal 75-89% if taken within no prescription Available at Emergency nausea. Next period may come intercourse. EC can prevent the release of an 3 days after required. pharmacies, health Contraception early or late. May cause spotting. egg and thicken cervical mucus. unprotected sex† centers, or health care ella®: Requires Does NOT protect against HIV or (EC) ella®: 85% up to 5 days providers. The copper IUD is 99% effective as EC if placed prescription STIs. within 5 days of unprotected sex. after unprotected sex† from health care provider.

The diaphragm and cervical cap are barrier Diaphragm: A health care Can be difficult to use. May methods that cover the cervix to prevent the provider must cause irritation if allergic to latex, Diaphragm and 81-94%* Can last several years. sperm from reaching an egg. These must be prescribe and size silicone, or spermicide. Does NOT Cervical Cap Cervical cap: Costs very little to use. used with a spermicide. Diaphragm and cervical 79.5- 90.5%* the diaphragm and reduce the risk of HIV. May reduce cap must be inserted with each intercourse. cervical cap. the risk of some infections. Spermicide Drugstores, Can buy at many stores. Spermicides are inserted into the vagina before 71-85%* May irritate the skin of the vagina, (cream, gel, doctor’s offices, Comes in many forms. intercourse. Spermicides kill sperm. Spermicide May raise the risk of penis, or anus. Can be messy. May health centers and Can be put in as part of sponge, foam, must be inserted before each intercourse. getting HIV. raise the risk of HIV/STIs. inserts, film) supermarkets. foreplay. The dental dam is a thin layer of latex, plastic, or polyurethane that acts as a barrier between This device is used for oral Drugstores, May irritate someone with a latex partners when placed over the vulva (outside of doctor’s offices, Protects against HIV allergy. Dental dam may slip out of Dental Dam sex only. Protects against vagina) or anus during oral sex. Can also use a HIV and other STIs. health centers and and other STIs. place if not held around the area condom cut in half. A new dental dam must be condom shops. receiving oral sex. used each time.

Two of the most common Permanent Permanent birth control is a procedure A health care Mild bleeding or infection may types are Laparoscopic Birth Control: performed by a doctor that is intended to provider must occur right after the operation, Tubal Ligation & Vasectomy: Private. No medicine to Laparoscopic prevent the sperm from joining the egg by prescribe and reaction to anesthetic, reversibility 99.5-99.9%* remember. blocking either the fallopian tubes (carry an egg) perform these cannot be guaranteed. Does NOT Tubal Ligation, Talk to a health care provider or the vas deferens (carry the sperm). procedures. protect against HIV or STIs. Vasectomy about other options.