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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

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What's Right for Me

Contact the Adolescent and Reproductive Health Section

  •  850-245-4475
  •  

    Mailing Address

    Adolescent and Reproductive Health Section 

    4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A13 

    Tallahassee, FL 32399-1721 

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™)

implanon
The implant is a thin 2-inch plastic rod that uses hormones to prevent pregnancy for 3 years.
  • 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®)

intrauterine device
These small devices are inserted in your uterus.
  • 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

birth control pills
You take one pill at the same time every day to prevent the release of an egg.  Birth control pills may contain one or two hormones.
  • Pills are easy to take and are effective birth control.
  • Missing a pill increases your chance of pregnancy.

Birth Control Patch (Ortho Evra®)

birth control patch
The patch contains hormones and is a thin, stick-on square that is placed on your body to prevent the release of an egg.
  • 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®)

nuva ring
This small, soft plastic ring contains hormones and prevents the release of an egg.
  • 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®)

depo provera
The birth control shot that contains a hormone and prevents the release of an egg.
  • 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)

female diaphragm
The diaphragm and cervical cap cover the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. They do not contain hormones.
  • 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®)

female condom
The female condom is a soft, loose-fitting thin plastic pouch that goes inside a woman’s vagina.
  • 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

calendar
You learn how to tell what days of the month you can get pregnant.
  • Avoid sex or use other birth control during this time.

Spermicides

spermicides
Spermicides are chemicals that kill sperm.  They come in foam, gel, film, or suppositories.
  • Spermicides used with a condom are very effective.
  • You can get them at drug stores and some health clinics.

Abstinence

Just Say No
Abstinence is not having sex and just saying “no”.
  • 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)

emergency contraception plan b
Emergency birth control pills or EC may be taken AFTER unprotected sex, or if a condom breaks, to prevent pregnancy.
  • 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

caduceus
If you don’t want children or don’t want any more children, getting your “tubes tied” (tubal ligation) or blocked is safe and effective.

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)

male condom
The male condom is made of latex or thin plastic (polyurethane) and fits over the penis. 
  • 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”

male and female signs
Withdrawal is not guaranteed to prevent pregnancy and is not as effective as condoms. 
  • 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

Just Say No
Abstinence is not having sex and just saying “no”.
  • 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)

emergency contraception plan b
Emergency birth control pills or EC may be taken by your partner AFTER unprotected sex, or if a condom breaks, to prevent pregnancy.
  • 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

caduceus
Vasectomy is a procedure done in a clinic or health care provider’s office and takes about 30 minutes. 
  • 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