Birth control is the use of various devices, drugs, agents, sexual practices, or surgical procedures to prevent conception or pregnancy.
Birth control enables people to choose when they want to have a baby.
A range of devices and treatments are available that can help prevent pregnancy.
Some methods are more reliable than others. How well a method works often depends on how carefully a person uses it.
This article examines a range of methods of preventing pregnancy, including their actual rates of effectiveness, and considers the possibility of human error.
Birth control is any method, medication, or device used to prevent pregnancy.
Examples include:
- intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- hormonal methods
- emergency contraception
- barrier methods, such as condoms
- natural methods, such as the withdrawal method
- sterilization, which is a permanent method of birth control
Depending on the type of birth control used, it may prevent pregnancy in one or a combination of the
- preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs
- preventing sperm from reaching the eggs
- making implantation of the egg in the uterus unlikely
- damaging the tubes that carry sperm (in males) or eggs (in females)
The intrauterine device (IUD), or coil, is a small, flexible T-shaped device placed in the uterus by a healthcare professional.
There are two types:
- A copper IUD releases copper, and this acts as a spermicide. It can last up to 10 years.
- A hormonal IUD contains progestin. It prevents the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg by thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the uterus wall.
Both types stay in place as long as a person does not desire pregnancy.
Depending on the type, it will last for 3, 8, or 10 years. It is more than 99% effective.
Injections
The contraceptive injection, or the shot, is a progestin-only birth control drug. It is long-acting and reversible. The name of the drug is Depo-Provera, also known as the Depo shot or DMPA.
The shot is injected every 3 months at a doctor’s office. It prevents pregnancy by stopping the body from releasing an egg.
The shot is 94% effective. The chance of pregnancy increases as the shot wears off. It is important to remember to book another shot after 3 months to ensure its effectiveness.
It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The implant
An implant is a rod with a core of progestin, which it releases slowly. It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. The implant is often known by its brand name, Nexplanon.
The implant is effective for up to 5 years, but it can be removed at any time, and then pregnancy is possible.
It is 99% effective in preventing conception, but it will not protect against STIs.
Contraceptive pill
The combined contraceptive pill is taken daily. It contains two hormones, estrogen and progestin. The hormones stop the release of the egg, or ovulation. They also make the lining of the uterus thinner.
It is between 91% and 99% effective on average.
Contraceptive patch
This is a transdermal patch that is applied to the skin. It releases synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones.
The patch is worn each week for 3 weeks in a row, generally on the lower abdomen or buttocks. No patch is worn in the 4th week to allow for a menstrual period. The patches are readily available.
It is between 91% and 99% effective.
Vaginal ring
The contraceptive vaginal ring is a flexible, plastic ring that releases a low dose of progestin and estrogen over 3 weeks. It prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus so sperm cannot move easily.
A person inserts the ring into their vagina for 3 weeks and then removes it for 1 week, during which a menstrual period occurs.
It is also known as NuvaRing, the trade name for a combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring manufactured by Organon.
It is 99% effective, but the chance of human error reduces this to 91%.
Emergency contraceptive pills, commonly called the morning-after pill, may prevent pregnancy after intercourse. It prevents ovulation, fertilization, or implantation of an embryo.
There are two types of morning-after pills. One is a pill that contains ulipristal acetate. Its brand name is Ella. The other type is a pill with levonorgestrel. Multiple brands are available, but Plan B is a popular choice.
Ella can be used up to 5 days after sex without birth control and is 85% effective. Plan B works best when taken within 3 days and is 75% to 89% effective.
The longer a person waits to take both types, the less effective they are. Additionally, levonorgestrel morning-after pills may not work as well if a person weighs more than 165 pounds.
Emergency contraception should only be used when primary methods fail.
Some people see emergency contraception as a kind of abortion because the egg may have already been fertilized. However, it is different from medical methods of abortion because these methods act after the egg is already implanted in the uterus.
Barrier devices prevent the sperm from meeting the egg. They may be combined with spermicide, which kills the sperm.
Male condom
The male condom forms a barrier and prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from entering the vagina. It is placed over the penis before sexual intercourse begins. A condom is made of polyurethane or latex.
Condoms can also help prevent STIs.
The male condom is around 87% effective. Some 13 females in every 100 may conceive if their partner uses a condom.
Condoms are available from drugstores, supermarkets, and many other outlets. Healthcare professionals and clinics also supply them, sometimes for free.
Female condom
The female condom, also known as a femidom or internal condom, is made of polyurethane. It has a flexible ring at each end. One fixes behind the pubic bone to hold the condom in place, while the other ring stays outside the vagina.
Spermicides may be placed in the vagina before intercourse. A spermicide kills sperm chemically. The product may be used alone or with a physical barrier.
The female condom is 79% effective. Around 21 females will become pregnant each year with this method.
Only FC2 is available in the United States. Healthcare professionals and clinics may supply it, or a person can get it from a drugstore with a prescription.
Sponge
A contraceptive sponge is inserted into the vagina. It has a depression to hold it in place over the cervix. The sponge covers a person’s cervix, acting as a barrier to stop the sperm from reaching the egg. It also contains spermicide, which destroys the male sperm.
It is between 76% and 86% effective on average. It is less likely to work if a person has given birth before.
The diaphragm
A diaphragm is a rubber, dome-shaped device that is inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix.
It fits into place behind the pubic bone and has a firm but flexible ring that helps it press against the vaginal walls.
Used with spermicide, it is 88% effective. Used alone, it is roughly 83% effective.
The cervical cap
A cervical cap is a thimble-shaped, latex rubber barrier device that fits over the cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus. The cap should be filled with spermicide before inserting. It stays in place by suction.
It is around 71% to 86% effective. It is less effective if a person has given birth before.
The cervical cap does not protect against STIs.
Natural methods do not involve any device or medication. They include:
- Abstinence: Celibacy or sexual abstinence means avoiding sexual intercourse.
- Withdrawal: Also known as coitus interruptus, withdrawal is when the male removes the penis from the vagina so that ejaculation occurs outside of the vagina. In theory, this prevents the sperm from being deposited in the vagina. Roughly 1 in 5 people who use this method will get pregnant every year.
- Natural family planning and fertility awareness: This involves being familiar with the signs and symptoms of ovulation, the pattern of the menstrual cycle, and planning sexual activity to avoid pregnancy. This method is about 78% to 98% effective.
- Lactational amenorrhea method (LAM): When a new mother is exclusively breastfeeding, their body naturally stops ovulating. This method can only be used as birth control for the first 6 months of a baby’s life, or until a person’s period returns. It is 98% effective.
Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control. Types include:
- Tubal ligation: This procedure is a form of female sterilization. A surgeon cuts, blocks, or burns the fallopian tubes, or a combination of these methods, to seal them and prevent future fertilization. It is more than 99% effective.
- Vasectomy: This is a form of male sterilization. The tubes through which sperm pass into the ejaculate are cut or blocked. It is more than 99% effective. Vasectomy is sometimes reversible, but there is no guarantee fertility will return.
What is the best type of birth control?
In terms of effectiveness, the best types of birth control are:
- abstinence (100% effective)
- IUD (99% effective)
- the implant (99% effective)
- tubal ligation (99% effective)
- vasectomy (99% effective)
Does birth control stop periods?
Some types of birth control can stop or reduce the frequency of a person’s periods, such as the:
Is birth control good or bad for a person’s body?
Birth control can have good and bad effects on a person’s body, depending on the type.
For example, the combined pill can improve period pain for some people, while others experience headaches, high blood pressure, and sore breasts.
A person can discuss their birth control options with a healthcare professional to find the one that suits them best.
Is there a contraceptive for males?
Currently, there are only two contraceptive options for males: condoms and vasectomies.
Some hormonal and nonhormonal male contraceptives are in the early stages of research and development. For example, in 2023,
While promising, these new methods require more clinical human studies to confirm their effectiveness and safety.
Contraception is a powerful tool for preventing unwanted pregnancy. Some methods, such as the male condom, can also reduce the risk of an STI. However, it must be used correctly to do so.
No method of birth control is 100% effective except for abstinence. Combining two methods, such as the pill with a condom, offers extra protection as well as some protection against STIs.
It is important to be informed and to use birth control wisely.