There are two ways to enjoy sex without getting pregnant….sex other than vaginal intercourse or vaginal intercourse with birth control. The use of birth control is an individual and private matter. It affects your body, relationships and lifestyle.
There is no perfect choice in birth control. Get the facts you need and talk to people you trust. Choose a method that’s right for you. Always use latex condoms along with your birth control method to lower your chances of getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV - the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
There are many methods of birth control;
some work by stopping the woman's ovaries from releasing an ovum (egg) and others work by preventing the man's sperm from meeting the ovum.
Here are some of your choices:
• Not having vaginal intercourse
• Condoms - for both men and women
• Spermicides (foam, gel, film,suppositories)
• Sponge
• Diaphragm
• Cervical cap
• Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD)
• Hormonal methods (the Pill, the Patch)
• Natural Family Planning
• Sterilization - for both men and women
How well do the different types of birth control work?
This chart shows the percentage of typical users who would not get pregnant while using the method of birth control for 1 year
| No vaginal intercourse |
100% |
Spermicides |
79-94% |
| Condom |
88-97% |
Female Condom |
79-95% |
| Condom plus spermicide |
95-99% |
Depo-Provera (injection) |
99.7% |
| The Pill |
97-99% |
Vasectomy |
99.9% |
| The Patch |
99% |
Tubal ligation |
99.6% |
| IUCD |
98-99% |
Natural Family Planning |
81-98% |
| Diaphragm and jelly |
82-94% |
No Method |
15% |
| Cervical cap |
82-94% |
Sponge |
90% |