Birth Control [3] 

Male Condom: latex sheath that fits over the erect penis and prevents sperm from entering the woman’s body

Female Condom: thin polyurethane sheath with a soft ring on each end

Diaphragm: shallow, dome-shaped, soft rubber cup that fits securely in the vagina to cover the cervix. A spermicide is placed in the cup, facing the cervix, to kill or immobilize sperm and prevent them from entering the uterus and fertilizing an egg.

Cervical Cap: thimble-shaped rubber or silicone cap that fits snuggly over the cervix and is held in place by suction. The cervical cap is used with a spermicidal cream or jelly to kill or immobilize sperm and prevent it from entering the uterus and fertilizing an egg. 

note: Spermicide destroys or disables sperm so that it cannot fertilize an egg to cause pregnancy. The chemical nonoxynol-9 is the active ingredient in most spermicides, which are available in different forms: foam, jelly, cream, film, and suppositories.

The Pill: an oral contraceptive, the first twenty-one pills have a combination of synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones; the last seven pills have no hormones and are called spacer pills, sugar pills, or inactive pills. Monthly bleeding occurs during this week. The pill works by stopping ovulation, thus preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also causes the cervical fluid to thicken, making it harder for sperm to enter the uterus and preventing fertilization.

Mini-Pills: progestin-only birth control pills that come in packs of twenty-eight, one is taken everyday. The mini-pill controls fertilization by affecting the fluid around the cervix and preventing sperm from entering the uterus. It also affects the transport of the egg through the fallopian tubes.

Contraceptive Patch: applied to the abdomen, butt, upper arm, or upper torso. The Patch is changed every week for three weeks, left off for one week, then resumed. Works by slowly releasing a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones through the skin.

Vaginal Ring: thin, transparent, flexible ring that you insert into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. The vaginal ring is left in place for three weeks and then removed for one week, providing one month of birth control. It slowly releases estrogen and progestin hormones into the body, stops ovulation, and thickens the cervical fluid, creating a barrier to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg.

Monthly Injection (Lunelle): injected into the arm, thigh, or hip. Shot has both synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones. Lunelle prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical fluid, creating a barrier to prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg. It also causes the uterine lining to become less prepared to support a fertilized egg.

Three Month Shot (Depo-Provera): injection of the hormone progestin that prevents pregnancy for three months. The high level of progestin prevents fertilization by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs, thickening the cervical fluid, and changing the uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to enter or survive in the uterus.

Implants: soft, hormone-filled capsules that are inserted under the skin in a women’s upper arm. They work in the same way as other hormonal methods, preventing ovulation and thickening the cervical fluid, thereby preventing sperm from entering the uterus. Contraceptive implants offer a safe, long-term, reversible contraceptive option.

IUD: small plastic devices that contain copper or progestin and fit inside the uterus. One or more strings are attached to the IUD and extend downward through the cervix in the upper vagina, allowing you to check that the IUD is in place. The IUD is usually not noticeable during intercourse and is effective for ten years. The presence of an IUD primarily affects the movement of eggs and sperm to prevent fertilization. It also creates a foreign-body reaction in the lining of the uterus, which prevents implantation. In addition, progestin-releasing IUDs cause changes in the thickness of the cervical fluid, which doesn’t allow the sperm to advance from the vagina into the uterus. If sperm get through, they are less vigorous and less apt to fertilize an egg.

Fertility Awareness Method (FAM): scientifically validated method of natural birth control that involves charting fertility signs to determine whether you are fertile on any given day.

FAM works by charting one or more of your primary fertility signs (waking temperature, cervical fluid, and cervical position), so you can determine which phase of the cycle you are currently in. Unlike the obsolete method (or calendar) method, which relies on past cycles to predict future fertility, FAM effectively identifies your fertile phase, the time when ovulation is impending, and when it has occurred. You can then use your daily fertility observations to know whether or not you are safe for unprotected intercourse on any given day.