Contraceptive Methods Chart

Method &
% Effective / Type / How it Works to
Prevent Pregnancy / Cost &
Where to Get it / Major
Advantages /

Major

Disadvantages

Abstinence100% /
Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • No contact of either partner’s genital area
  • No ejaculation near the genital area of a woman
/
  • Free
  • Making the decision to abstain
/
  • 100% effective
  • Free
  • No hormonal side effects
/
  • Difficult to endure when sexually mature
  • Potential strain on relationships

FAM/NFP

Fertility Awareness Method
Natural Family Planning
90-95% -Perfect
76% - Typical /
Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Use of senses, a calendar and a thermometer to determine when a woman is fertile – then abstain or use other contraception
/
  • Cost of a calendar and a thermometer
  • Drug store
/
  • Free
  • Accepted form of contraception be all major religions
/
  • Daily routine of checking for signs of fertility
  • Effectiveness
  • Human Error
  • No STI protection

Sponge92% - Perfect
84% - Typical /
Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • The sponge is inserted into the vagina before intercourse.
  • It covers the cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus. It also continuously releases a spermicide.
/
  • A package of three sponges will cost $7.50-$9.
  • Drug Store
/
  • Can be inserted hours ahead of time and can be worn for up to 30 hours after insertion.
  • No Hormones
  • Used during Breast-feeding.
  • Reusable during same sexual experience.
/
  • Women that don’t like to insert it into the vaginal
  • Too messy
  • Vaginal irritation.

Male Condom98% - Perfect
86% - Typical / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Latex sheath placed over an erect penis in order to block sperm from entering the vagina
  • Use with spermicide
/
  • $0.50 and up
  • Drug store
/
  • Inexpensive
  • Protects against some STIs
  • Easy to buy
  • Can be used with other methods to reduce risks
/
  • Misuse
  • Breakage
  • Latex allergies
  • Effectiveness

Female Condom
95% - Perfect
79% - Typical / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Pouch placed inside the vagina in order to block sperm from entering vagina
  • Use with spermicide
/
  • $2.50
  • Drug store
/
  • Easy to buy
  • Reduces risk of contracting STIs
/
  • Misuse
  • Breakage
  • Latex allergies
  • Effectiveness

Diaphragm

94% - Perfect

80% - Typical

/ Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Fitted latex cup placed over the cervix
  • Fit both with spermicide
/
  • $13-$25
  • $50-$125 for examination
  • Doctor (Prescription)
/
  • Can last several years
  • No major health concerns
/
  • Latex allergies
  • Risk of bladder infection, left in for only 24 hours.

InjectionDepo-Provera
99.7% / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • DP: Shot of progestin every 12 weeks, which prevents ovulation & implantation
/
  • $20-$40/ visit
  • $30-$75/ shot
  • Doctor (Prescription)
/
  • Reduces menstrual cramps
  • Very effective
  • Some women who cannot use the pill can use this
/
  • No protection against STIs
  • Hormonal side effects*
  • Possible ectopic pregnancy

The Patch92% - Typical
99% - Perfect / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • A patch is placed on the skin, once a week for three weeks in a row.
  • No patch is used in the fourth week.
  • The patch releases synthetic estrogen and progestin to protect against pregnancy for one month.
/
  • $35–$175 / Exam
  • $30 and $40 a month.
  • Drug store
/
  • Good for a month, no daily pill.
  • Lighter more regular periods.
  • Easily reversible.
  • Prevents: ovarian cysts, irregular periods, and reproductive cancers.
/
  • Bleeding between periods, breast tenderness, changes in mood, headache, nausea / rarely, vomiting, weight gain/loss, change in sexual desire, depression, skin reaction at the site of application
  • Possible Breast Cancer?

Contraceptive Methods Chart

Method &
% Effective / Type / How it Works to
Prevent Pregnancy / Cost &
Where to Get it / Major
Advantages /

Major

Disadvantages

NuvaRing99.95% / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Hormonal ring inserted in the vagina for three weeks – taken out the forth week so menstruation can occur.
/
  • $120/ visit
  • $35/month
  • Prescription
/
  • Highly effective
  • Lower dose of hormone
/
  • No STI protection
  • Expensive
  • Hormonal side effects

Oral Contraceptive99.9% - Perfect
95% - Typical / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Daily pill containing hormones progestin and/or estrogen which prevent ovulation & implantation
/
  • $15-$25 per pill- pack monthly
  • $35-$125 for exam by doctor
/
  • Very effective if used right
  • Regulates menstrual cycle
  • Protects against certain cancers
/
  • Hormonal side effects
  • Remembering daily pill
  • Improper use
  • No STI protection
  • Some women can’t use it

RU486
(Mifepristone)
92-95% / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Known as “Abortion Pill”
  • Taken up to 49 days from beginning of last period.
  • Blocks progesterone – endometrium breaks down
/
  • Doctor visit
  • Follow up visit
  • $50 -200
  • $1000
/
  • Good for emergencies
  • Only FDA approved pill for ending pregnancy
/
  • Dealing with abortion issue
  • Hormonal side effects
  • No STI protection
  • Bleeding
  • Cramping

Preven/Plan B

95% - within 3days
75% or less after 3 days / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • 2 doses of hormonal pills taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or emerg. IUD insertion within 5 days unprotected sex
/
  • Consult clinician
  • Doctor
  • $25
/
  • Good for emergencies
  • Easy to obtain
  • Safe
/
  • Hormonal side effects
  • Some women can’t use it
  • Not a regular routine method
  • No STI protection

IUD(Intrauterine Device)
97.4-99.2% / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other
/
  • Small plastic device placed in uterus containing copper of hormones which prevent ovulation & implantation
/
  • $150-$300 for exam, insertion and follow-up visit
  • Doctor (script)
/
  • Very effective
  • Long lasting protection against pregnancy
/
  • Potential toxic infection
  • No STI protection
  • Not for younger women

Tubal Ligation99.5-99.9% / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Fallopian tubes are cut and tied preventing sperm from reaching the egg
/
  • $1000-$2500
  • Doctor (hospital)
/
  • No lasting side effects
  • Permanent and effective protection
/
  • Rare injury to bowel
  • Irreversible
  • Rare reopening of tubes
  • Possible ectopic pregnancy
  • No STI protection

Vasectomy99.5-99.9% / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • Vas deferens are cut and tied which prevents sperm from exiting the body
/
  • $240-$520
  • Doctor’s office
/
  • Less risky than tubal ligation
  • Easier to reverse procedure
  • Permanent and effective protection
/
  • Infection from surgery
  • Bruising swelling after procedure
  • Rare reopening of tubes
  • No STI protection

Spermicides

75% alone
85% w/Condoms / Behavioral
Barrier
Hormonal
Sterilization
Other /
  • A chemical that kills sperm
  • Jelly, Foam, Lubricant, or Suppository.
  • Applied inside the vagina or on a barrier.
/
  • $.50 and up per use.
  • Drug Store
/
  • Can prevent HIV infection
  • Cheap/Easy to Get
/
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Messy
  • Irritation of Vaginal Wall
  • Does not protect against other STI’s.