It's a New Day in Public Health.
The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
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
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.
To find a clinic near you, go to: Family Planning Clinic LocatorEmergency 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
Connect with DOH