Women
Men

For Women

Highly effective reversible methods that give constant protection from pregnancy. Visit your health care provider or family planning clinic for the following methods.

To find a clinic near you, go to: Family Planning Clinic Locator

Implant (Nexplanon™)

• A health care provider inserts it under the skin on the inside of your arm.
• The implant is VERY effective.

Intrauterine device (ParaGard IUD®) / (Liletta®) / Intrauterine system (Mirena IUS®)

• They work for 5-10 years, depending on which one you choose.
• They are VERY effective.

Hormone methods

Hormone methods give constant, effective protection against pregnancy. Visit your health care provider or family planning clinic for the following methods. To find a clinic near you, go to: Family Planning Clinic Locator

Birth Control Pills

• Pills are easy to take and are effective birth control.
• Missing a pill increases your chance of pregnancy.

Birth Control Patch (Ortho Evra®)

• A new patch is put on every week for three weeks.  The fourth week is patch-free.
• The patch is almost 100 percent effective when used the right way.

Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing®)

• The ring is placed in your vagina every month.
• The ring is almost 100 percent effective when used the right way.

The “Shot” (Depo Provera®)

• Once every 3 months you get a shot from your health care provider or nurse.
• The shot is an easy method to use and almost 100 percent effective if you get your shot ON TIME.

Diaphragm and Cervical Cap (FemCap)

• The diaphragm is a dome-shaped rubber cup. 
• The cervical cap is a bowl-shaped silicone rubber cap.
• The diaphragm and cervical cap are fitted to your size by your health care provider. 
• The diaphragm and the cervical cap are used with a spermicide.

Birth control methods women can use without going to a clinic or health care provider

The Female Condom (Reality Female Condom®)

• You plan ahead and put it in before sex and use a new condom each time you have sex.
• Condoms protect you from both pregnancy and STDs, including HIV.
• Female condoms are plastic so people who are allergic to latex can use them.
• You can get them at drug stores and most health clinics.

Fertility Awareness Method or Natural Family Planning

• Avoid sex or use other birth control during this time.

Spermicides

• Spermicides used with a condom are very effective.
• You can get them at drug stores and some health clinics.

Abstinence

• Abstinence from all sex protects you and your partner from pregnancy, STDs and HIV.
• People can choose abstinence at any time or at any age

If a condom breaks or sex “just happened” you can still prevent pregnancy.

Emergency Contraception (Plan B)

• EC reduces the risk of pregnancy when taken as soon as possible or within 5 days or less of having unprotected sex.
• EC is not the same as the abortion pill and will NOT stop or harm a pregnancy or fetus if you are already pregnant.
• Consider keeping EC on hand, as a back-up, in case a condom breaks or another birth control method fails.
• You can get EC from the drugstore without a prescription if you are 17 or older (with a prescription if you are under 17), or at a family planning clinic for low or no-cost.

Are you ready to think about permanent birth control?

Schedule an appointment today with your health care provider or local family planning clinic. To find a clinic near you, go to: Family Planning Clinic Locator

Sterilization

Many Family Planning Clinics offer low or no-cost female sterilization.  These services are available to clients 21 and over.

For Men

Birth control is not just for women!

MEN… YOU can…..

• Decide if or when you want a child by using birth control.
• Protect yourself and your partner from HIV or other STDs, like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis or hepatitis.
• Gain peace of mind and have better sex knowing you are protecting yourself and your partner from the risks of unprotected sex.
• No birth control method works 100 percent of the time.  So unless you want to be a father, you should use your own method; don’t only rely on your partner’s method.

Condoms (for men)

• Use plastic condoms if you have a latex allergy.  Both are effective.
• Condoms protect you from both pregnancy AND STDs, including HIV.
• Condoms give you the BEST protection when you use them in the right way EVERY time.
• Keep condoms safe from heat, direct sunlight and oil-based lubricants as these may cause the condom to break.
• You can get condoms at drugstores and some health clinics.

Withdrawal or “Pulling Out”

• You are in control to withdraw or “pull out”.
• Withdrawal works when you pull your penis out and away from your partner’s vagina BEFORE you ejaculate (cum).
• Withdrawal may prevent sperm from entering a woman’s body and reaching an egg.
• Withdrawal doesn’t protect you from STDs or HIV.
• It may be hard to pull out.  How well it works depends on being able to know when you will cum.

Abstinence

• Abstinence from all sex protects you and your partner from pregnancy, STDs and HIV.
• People can choose abstinence at any time or at any age.

If a condom breaks or sex “just happened” you can still prevent pregnancy.

To find a clinic near you, go to: Family Planning Clinic Locator

Emergency Contraception (Plan B)

• EC reduces the risk of pregnancy when taken as soon as possible or within 5 days or less of having unprotected sex.
• EC is not the same as the abortion pill and will NOT stop or harm a pregnancy or fetus if your partner is already pregnant.
• Consider keeping EC on hand, as a back-up, in case a condom breaks or another birth control method fails.
• You can get EC from the drugstore without a prescription if you are 17 or older (with a prescription if you are under 17), or at a family planning clinic for low or no-cost.

Are you ready to think about permanent birth control?

Schedule an appointment today with your health care provider or local family planning clinic. To find a clinic near you, go to: Family Planning Clinic Locator

Vasectomy

• The tubes that carry sperm to the penis are cut and sealed.
• Permanent (not reversible) birth control and should be chosen only if you are sure you don’t want a child.
• One of the safest, most effective and popular birth control methods.

A vasectomy will not change your sex drive, your ability to have sex or your orgasms.

Many family planning clinics offer low or no-cost vasectomies.  These services are available only to clients 21 or over.

Plan Ahead

Talk to your partner about birth control and select a method together…

Schedule an appointment today with your health care provider or local Family Planning Clinic. To find a clinic near you, go to: Family Planning Clinic Locator