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    Birth Control Methods

Barrier Methods

• Condom up to 98% effective- Placed over the man's erect penis, condoms prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching the womb.  When used correctly, latex condoms also can help prevent the spread of chlamydia and sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, genital herpes, and genital warts.
  
  

• Female Condom Up to 95% effective It is inserted into the vagina like a diaphragm.  The ring at the closed end holds the pouch in the vagina.  The ring at the open-end stays outside the vaginal opening.

• Cervical Cap Up to 95% effective- Like diaphragms, cervical caps are inserted into the women's vagina to cover the cervix and prevent sperm from gaining access into the uterus.  Cervical caps should also be used with spermicidal jellies or creams.

• Diaphragm Up to 95% effective Inserted into the women's vagina, diaphragms cover the cervix and prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching the womb.  Diaphragms should be used in conjunction with spermicidal jellies or creams for maximum effectiveness.
  
  
• Spermicides Up to 72% Effective; when used with another method, up to 97% effective - Contraceptive foams, jellies, creams, and suppositories contain chemical spermicides which, when inserted into the vagina, prevent pregnancy by killing sperm before they enter the uterus.

Hormonal Methods

• Injection (Depo-Provera) Up to 99%+ Effective- the birth control shot, administered every 3 months, contains a hormone that prevents pregnancy.

• Injection (Lunelle) Up to 99%+ effective-The birth control shot, administered every month, contains the hormone progestin and estrogen.  This hormone works the same  as the Depo shot.  (Currently off the market)

• Birth Control Pill Up to 99% Effective- birth control pills contain hormones that prevent pregnancy.  Today's pills are safe and effective for most women if taken as prescribed.

• Ortho Evra Patch Up to 99% effective-The patch is a two-inch beige colored square that releases hormones at a slow, constant rate.  Once a week, for three weeks,  you place a patch on one of the four recommended areas. In the fourth week, you do not wear a patch.

• NuvaRing Up to 99% effective- This devise is a flexible plastic ring inserted into the vagina.  It is slipped in as you would a tampon, and the hormones are slowly released, until the ring is removed three weeks later.  You go without it for a week and then start all over again with a new ring.  

Additional Methods

• IUDs (Intrauterine Devices) Up to 97% Effective- An IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic piece, which contains either copper or a hormone that prevents pregnancy.  A doctor or nurse places it into the uterus.

• Abstinence Only method that is 100% Effective- Not having sexual play.  Pregnancy can not happen if sperm is kept out of the vagina.  No medical or hormonal side effects.

• Periodic Abstinence (Rhythm Method) - Periodic abstinence methods consist of avoiding sex during the woman's fertile period.  This is accomplished by using either the calendar, basal body temperature, or cervical mucous methods.

• Outercourse- NEARLY  100% Effective- Sex play without vaginal intercourse.  Pregnancy can not happen if sperm is left out of the vagina.

• Sterilization - A woman may undergo sterilization which involves surgery to seal off the woman's fallopian tubes (tubal ligation).  In male sterilization, or vasectomy, the tubes that carry sperm are sealed, tied, and cut.

• The withdrawal or pull out method is NOT a form of birth control and does not protect you from becoming pregnant or contracting any STD's.

Emergency Contraception (also known as "the morning after pill")

Emergency Contraception UP TO 95% EFFECTIVE IF TAKEN WITHIN 24 HOURS.  82% EFFECTIVE IF TAKEN WITHIN 120 HOURS...Is a way to reduce your risk of pregnancy after having unprotected sex (sex without birth control or when birth control fails).  Emergency methods include taking Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) or progestin-only minipills or insertion of an IUD in the days following unprotected sex.  They work by preventing the egg from implanting.  Reduces the risk of pregnancy by up to 75%!