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When you hear the phrase "birth control," do you think of birth control pills? In fact, there are many different methods for preventing pregnancy in addition to birth control pills, including IUDs, the patch, the ring, condoms, and diaphragms.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each method of contraception with no one method being best for everyone. There are many things to think about when picking a method of contraception. You should know that some methods are much more effective than others. Some must be used each and every time you have sex, while others must be used everyday whether you have sex that day or not. Some can be inserted into your body and will work for you for years.

In deciding what is best for you, there are several questions you should consider:

Do I want to have to think about my birth control each time I have sex? How realistic is it that I will use something each and every time?
Am I willing to have something inserted in my body (my uterus or my arm)?
Do I want something that contains hormones?
What side effects might I be willing to tolerate?
Do I want to get a period each month, or would I rather not have one?

With these questions in mind, the following videos are available to help you determine the best contraceptive method to meet your needs. The charts below provide additional useful information about birth control methods. We are happy to see you to discuss your options in detail

Contraception:
Barrier Methods & Plan B

Contraception:
The Pill, The Patch, The Ring & The Shot

Contraception:
IUDs and Implanon

Type of Method/Device	How effective is this method?	How many options are available? Or, what is it?	How often do I need to use it?	Are there interruptions with this method?	How quickly can I get pregnant if I stop using it?	Do I need a prescription or will I receive it from my healthcare professional?	Do I need to see my healthcare professional to start?	Does this protect against HIV and STDs?
Hormonal Contraceptives Hormonal contraceptives work by preventing release of an egg from your ovaries into the uterus, and may also make the uterus an "unfriendly" environment for sperm. While most women know about the birth control pill, there are other hormonal birth control methods that are now available.
Ortho Evra Patch™	97%-99% effective	There is only one contraceptive patch	The Patch is applied once a week for 3 weeks. During Week 4, no patch is used.	There are no interruptions with this method	Once stopped, it may take a few cycles before you can become pregnant	Prescription needed	You need to learn how to apply the Patch correctly	No
Oral Contraceptive (The Pill)	97%-99% effective	There are a variety of pills available depending on dose and desired frequency of period	You should take your pill every day, at approximately the same time every day	There are no interruptions with this method.	Once stopped, it may take a few cycles before you can become pregnant.	Prescription needed	You may need instruction on the correct way to take your pills	No
Implanon®	Greater than 99% effective	There is 1 implantable contraceptive	The implant is inserted on the underside of the upper arm for a 3-year period	There are no interruptions with this method	Once removed, fertility can occur within 1 week	Receive from healthcare professional	Your healthcare professional inserts and removes the implant	No
Depo-Provera	Greater than 99% effective	There is one contraceptive injection currently available	You receive an injection every 3 months	There are no interruptions with this method	Ovulation may be delayed up to a year	Receive from healthcare professional	A healthcare professional administers the injection	No
Mirena®	Greater than 99% effective	There is 1 hormone-releasing IUD currently available	The suggested length of use is 5 years or less	There are no interruptions with this method	Once removed, fertility can return within a year	Receive from healthcare professional	Your healthcare professional inserts and removes the IUD	No
Nuva-Ring™	Greater than 99% effective	There is only 1 vaginal ring	Each month, the vaginal ring is inserted into the vagina and left in place for 3 weeks. During Week 4, you do not wear the ring.	There are no interruptions with this method.	Once stopped, it may take a few cycles before you can become pregnant.	Prescription needed	You need to learn how to insert and remove the vaginal ring	No
Emergency Contraception	Plan B is 89% effective within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it can be taken within 120 hours after sex.	There are two types of emergency birth contraception: you can get the oral form, Plan B, or you can get an IUD within 5 days after unprotected sex.	Whenever you have had unprotected sex, and you have used no back-up form of birth control.	There are no interruptions with this method because it is used after sex.	If you do not use this method after unprotected sex, your chances of getting pregnant are much higher. Also, if you use this method more than 120 hours after sex, your chances of pregnancy are higher.	No. If you are under 17, however, you'll need a prescription.	No, unless you are under 17.	No
Non-hormonal Contraceptives Non-hormonal contraceptives prevent pregnancy by providing a barrier against sperm by interfering with sperm movement, or by creating an "unfriendly" environment for sperm. These methods do not use hormones, so they do not interfere with your natural reproductive cycle.
Type of Method/Device	How effective is this method?	How many options are available? Or, what is it?	How often do I need to use it?	Are there interruptions with this method?	How quickly can I get pregnant if I stop using it?	Do I need a prescription or will I receive it from my healthcare professional?	Do I need to see my healthcare professional to start?	Does this protect against HIV and STDs?
Male Condom	98% effective	There are a variety of styles, sizes, colors, materials, and textures.	A new one must be used every time you have sex	Must be applied when the penis is erect. May cause a slight interruption before sex.	Without this device, there is no protection against pregnancy.	No	Tell your healthcare professional that you plan to use condoms.	Yes
Female Condom	95% effective	There is 1 female condom currently available.	A new one must be used every time you have sex.	A female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex	Without this device, there is no protection against pregnancy.	No	Tell your healthcare professional that you plan to use a female condom	Unless the female condom slips out of place or is torn, it should provide protection against STD exposure comparable to that of male condoms
Paragard®	Greater than 99% effective	There is 1 copper-T IUD currently available	Once inserted in the uterus, it can be left in place for up to 10 years	There are no interruptions with this method	Once removed, fertility can return within one month	Receive from healthcare professional	Your healthcare professional inserts and removes IUD	No
Spermicides	82% effective--use with a barrier method increase effectiveness	There are a variety of spermicides available in foams, jellies, creams, and vaginal suppositories.	Must be used ever time you have sex	Must be inserted no more than 1 hour before sex	Without this device, there is no protection against pregnancy	No	Tell your healthcare professional. You may be advised to use an additional contraceptive method.	No. As per the FDA, the chemical Nonoxynol 9 in stand-alone vaginal contraceptives and spermicides can irritate the vagina and rectum, which may increase the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS from an infected partner.
Vaginal Barriers
Type of Method/Device	How effective is this method?	How many options are available? Or, what is it?	How often do I need to use it?	Are there interruptions with this method?	How quickly can I get pregnant if I stop using it?	Do I need a prescription or will I receive it from my healthcare professional?	Do I need to see my healthcare professional to start?	Does this protect against HIV and STDs?
Diaphragm	94% effective	There are a variety of sizes available	Must be used every time you have sex (and fresh spermicide must be applied each time)	The diaphragm can be inserted up to 6 hours before sex	Without this device, there is no protection against pregnancy	Prescription needed	You need to be fitted and must learn how to use the diaphragm	Diaphragms do not protect against HIV (AIDS). There is a mild reduction in the risk of some STDs.
Permanent Methods
Sterilization	Greater than 99% effective	For women, there is tubal ligation (having your tubes "tied"); for men, there is vasectomy	These procedures are considered permanent and irreversible.	There are no interruptions with this method.	You will no longer be able to get pregnant	Physician recommended	These surgical procedures are performed by a healthcare professional	No
Essure	Greater than 99% effective	Micro-inserts™ are put in natural pathways of the woman's body, creating a natural barrier against sperm.	This procedure is permanent and irreversible.	There are no interruptions with this method.	You will no longer be able to get pregnant	Receive from healthcare professional	This procedure is performed by a healthcare professional	No
Other
Withdrawal	80% effective, if used correctly	The man ejaculates outside of the woman's vagina and away from external genitalia.	Must be used every time you have sex.	There are no interruptions with this method	If you stop using this method, there is no protection against pregnancy	No	No	No
Fertility Awareness Method	If used perfectly, FAM is 99% effective. But due to user error, FAM is typically 89%-94% effective.	This is a natural method of contraception, based on the woman's fertility cycle.	Must be used constantly.	There are no interruptions with this method.	If you stop using this method, there is no protection against pregnancy.	No	No	No
Abstinence	100% effective	This method requires that you do not engage in any sexual activity.	N/A	There are no interruptions with this method	If you stop using this method, there is no protection against pregnancy	No	No	Yes
Outercourse	Over 99% effective, if used correctly	This method requires that you abstain from vaginal sex only	Must be used constantly	There are no interruptions with this method	If you stop using this method, there is no protection from pregnancy	No	No	This method doesn't protect you from any STDs

Aurora Medical Services
1001 Broadway, Suite 320
Seattle, WA 98122
206-957-0990 866-632-6622
Appointment Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday