Find Your Birth Control

A small silicone cup that prevents pregnancy. The cervical cap is easy to use but not great at preventing pregnancy on its own. It's most effective (and recommended) when used with a spermicide, which can be irritating and messy.

Slips over the penis to prevent pregnancy and reduce risk of STDs. Condoms are easy to use, easy to get, and a great way to prevent pregnancy and STDs.

A silicone cup that prevents pregnancy. The diaphragm is easy to use, but needs to be inserted into the vagina correctly. It's most effective (and recommended) when used with a spermicide, which can be irritating and messy.

Used to prevent pregnancy up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Emergency contraception is commonly known as "the morning after pill," which works by delaying or preventing ovulation. Less common methods of EC are the copper IUD and the Yuzpe method. Emergency contraception IS NOT the abortion pill.

A pouch inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy and reduce risk of STDs. Also known as an internal condom because it goes inside the vagina. Works like the male condom, is cheap and prevents STDs.

Permanent surgical procedure for women to prevent pregnancy. Invasive or non-invasive sterlization is a one-and-done procedure to stop reproductive function of a woman's body. It's highly effective and irreversible.

Tracking ovulation as a way to prevent pregnancy. The fertility awareness method (FAM) - also referred to as rhythm method or natural family planning - requires observing and understanding your body in order to determine when your body is ovulating, or can get pregnant. It's hard to get right, so it isn't as effective as most other types of birth control.

A small T-shaped device that's inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. The "intrauterine device" is one of the most hassle-free and effective methods of birth control. It's a small plastic or copper device inserted inside your uterus, and lasts between 3-12 years, depending on type.

A small plastic implant that prevents pregnancy. The implant is one of the most hassle-free and effective long-term methods of birth control. The procedure can be intimidating for some people as a small hormone-releasing rod is inserted under the skin of your upper arm.

The shot is a hormone injection that prevents pregnancy. The shot, also called Depo, is an effective method of birth control that has to be done every 3 months. Your health care provider can give you the shot or you can do it yourself at home.

Permanent surgical procedure for men to prevent fertility. Invasive or non-invasive sterlization is a one-and-done procedure to stop reproductive function of a man's body. It's highly effective and irreversible.

A small adhesive patch that sticks to your skin to prevent pregnancy. The patch is an effective form of combination birth control (containing estrogen and progestin) that looks like a small sticker; it needs to be replaced at the same time and day every week. It is very effective if used correctly but may be less effective for some women such as those over 198 lb or taking certain medications.

A pill taken every day to prevent pregnancy. The pill is one of the most popular forms of hormonal birth control. It's easy to get a prescription for and highly effective when used correctly.

A small, flexible ring inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. The ring is an effective form of combination birth control that's inserted and kept inside the vagina, releasing low doses of hormones over 3 weeks – but prevents pregnancy for a whole month. It's very effective if used correctly and may have fewer side effects since it contains lower doses of hormones.

A chemical substance that kills sperm to prevent pregnancy. Spermicide comes in many forms, like creams or suppositories, and are usually used with barrier contraceptives to increase the effectiveness of preventing pregnancy.

A round piece of foam inserted into the vagina before sex to prevent pregnancy. The sponge may be more of a hassle than other methods of birth control, but it does not contain any hormones so you will get fewer side effects.