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Birth Control

Birth control is how you prevent pregnancy. There are lots of different birth control options out there. We’re here to help you figure it all out.

Pick what’s important to you to find your best birth control method:

Showing all 18 methods No methods match all of the filters selected Showing 1 filtered method Showing 0 filtered methods Show All

Low Maintenance

Birth Control Implant

Birth Control Implant

  • 99% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $2200
  • Lasts Up To 5 years
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  • 99% Effective
  • $0 to $2200
  • 5 years
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Easiest to Use
  • Helps with periods
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Less than 1 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
Easiest to Use
  • Mistake proof – once it’s in place, you don’t need to do anything for up to 5 years
Helps with periods
  • Can make periods and cramps lighter or go away altogether
Less or No Hormones
  • Progestin-only and no estrogen
Doctor or Nurse
  • Placed and removed by a doctor or nurse
Learn More
Low Maintenance

IUD

IUD

  • 99% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $1300
  • Lasts Up To 3-12 years
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  • 99% Effective
  • $0 to $1300
  • 3-12 years
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Easiest to Use
  • Helps with periods
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Less than 1 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
Easiest to Use
  • Mistake proof – once it’s put in, there’s nothing you need to do for up to 3-12 years
Helps with periods
  • Can make periods and cramps lighter or go away altogether (only hormonal IUDs)
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones in copper IUD

  • No estrogen in hormonal IUDs

Doctor or Nurse
  • Placed and removed by a doctor or nurse
Learn More
Used On a Schedule

Birth Control Shot

Birth Control Shot

  • 96% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $150
  • Get every 3 months
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  • 96% Effective
  • $0 to $150
  • 3 months
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Helps with periods
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Only 6 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year

  • Works even better if you always get it on time

Helps with periods
  • Can make periods and cramps lighter or go away altogether
Less or No Hormones
  • Progestin-only and no estrogen
Doctor or Nurse
  • You get or give yourself a shot every 3 months
Learn More
Used On a Schedule

Birth Control Vaginal Ring

Birth Control Vaginal Ring

  • 93% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $200
  • Put in and take out once a month
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  • 93% Effective
  • $0 to $200
  • Monthly
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Helps with Periods
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Only 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
  • Works even better if you always change your ring on time
     
Helps with Periods
  • Regulates and lightens periods, eases period symptoms

  • Can be used to skip periods

Doctor or Nurse
  • You need a prescription from a doctor or nurse
Learn More
Used On a Schedule

Birth Control Patch

Birth Control Patch

  • 93% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $150
  • Replace weekly
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  • 93% Effective
  • $0 to $150
  • Weekly
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Helps with Periods
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Only 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year

  • Works even better if you always change your patch on time

Helps with Periods
  • Regulates and lightens periods, eases period symptoms
  • Can be used to skip periods
     
Doctor or Nurse
  • You need a prescription from a Doctor or Nurse Required
Learn More
Used On a Schedule

Birth Control Pill

Birth Control Pill

  • 93% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $50
  • Take daily
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  • 93% Effective
  • $0 to $50
  • Daily
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Helps with Periods
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Only 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
  • Works even better if you always take your pill each day
     
Helps with Periods
  • Regulates and lightens periods, eases period symptoms

  • Can be used to skip periods

Less or No Hormones
  • No estrogen in progestin-only pills (mini-pills)
Doctor or Nurse
  • You need a prescription from a doctor or nurse
Learn More
Use Every Time

Condom

Condom

  • 87% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $2
  • Use every time
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  • 87% Effective
  • $0 to $2
  • Every time
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Helps Prevent STDs
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Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Helps Prevent STDs
  • Helps prevent STDs during oral, vaginal, or anal sex
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Use Every Time

Internal Condom

Internal Condom

  • 79% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $3
  • Use every time
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  • 79% Effective
  • $0 to $3
  • Every time
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Helps Prevent STDs
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Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Helps Prevent STDs
  • Helps prevent STDs during vaginal or anal sex
Learn More
Use Every Time

Diaphragm

Diaphragm

  • 83% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $75
  • Use every time
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  • 83% Effective
  • $0 to $75
  • Every time
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Doctor or Nurse
  • You need a prescription from a Doctor or Nurse Required
Learn More
Use Every Time

Birth Control Sponge

Birth Control Sponge

  • 78 or 86% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $15
  • Use every time
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  • 78 or 86% Effective
  • $0 to $15
  • Every time
  • Less or No Hormones
Learn More
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Learn More
Use Every Time

Cervical Cap

Cervical Cap

  • 71 or 86% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $90
  • Use every time
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  • 71 or 86% Effective
  • $0 to $90
  • Every time
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Doctor or Nurse
  • You need a prescription from a doctor or nurse
Learn More
Use Every Time

Spermicide & Gel

Spermicide & Gel

  • 79 or 86% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $270
  • Use every time
Learn More
  • 79 or 86% Effective
  • $0 to $270
  • Every time
  • Less or No Hormones
Learn More
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Learn More
Lifestyle

Fertility Awareness (FAMs)

Fertility Awareness (FAMs)

  • 77-98% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $20
  • Use daily
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  • 77-98% Effective
  • $0 to $20
  • Daily
  • Less or No Hormones
Learn More
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Learn More
Lifestyle

Withdrawal (Pull Out Method)

Withdrawal (Pull Out Method)

  • 78% Effective
  • Cost $0
  • Use Every Time
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  • 78% Effective
  • $0
  • Every time
  • Less or No Hormones
Learn More
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Learn More
Lifestyle

Outercourse and Abstinence

Outercourse and Abstinence

  • 100% Effective
  • Cost $0
  • Used every time
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  • 100% Effective
  • $0
  • Every time
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Less or No Hormones
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • 100% effective, as long as you stick to it
  • If you never get semen (cum) on the vulva or in the vagina, pregnancy can’t happen

Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Learn More
Lifestyle

Breastfeeding as Birth Control

Breastfeeding as Birth Control

  • 98% Effective
  • Cost $0
  • Do every 4-5 hours
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  • 98% Effective
  • $0
  • Every time
  • Less or No Hormones
Learn More
Less or No Hormones
  • Uses your body’s own hormones
Learn More
Permanent

Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)

Sterilization (Tubal Ligation)

  • 99% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $6000
  • Lasts for Life
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  • 99% Effective
  • $0 to $6000
  • For life
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Easiest to Use
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Less than 1 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year

Easiest to Use
  • Mistake proof – once you get sterilized, there’s nothing else you need to do
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Doctor or Nurse
  • Procedure done by a Doctor or Nurse Required
Learn More
Permanent

Vasectomy

Vasectomy

  • 99% Effective
  • Can cost $0 to $1000
  • Lasts for life
Learn More
  • 99% Effective
  • $0 to $1000
  • For life
  • Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Easiest to Use
  • Less or No Hormones
  • Doctor or Nurse
Learn More
Best at Preventing Pregnancy
  • Less than 1 out of 100 people will get pregnant each year
Easiest to Use
  • Mistake proof – once you get a vasectomy, there’s nothing else you need to do
Less or No Hormones
  • No hormones
Doctor or Nurse
  • Procedure done by a Doctor or Nurse Required
Learn More

What do the experts say about birth control?

Read questions and answers about birth control on our blog.

Read the Blog

Get birth control pills delivered to your door!

With the Planned Parenthood Direct app, you'll have unlimited access to our expert doctors and nurses. It's reproductive health care anytime, anywhere—no appointment needed. Download the app today.

Spot On Period Tracker

Spot On is a period and birth control tracking mobile app available for Android and iOS phones that can help you stay on top of your birth control method and track your cycle. The app provides customized appointment reminders, and puts birth control and sexual health resources from the experts at Planned Parenthood at your fingertips.

Discouraged by the Cost of Birth Control? We Can Help

We do our best to help you afford the birth control method you choose — no matter what your situation is. Whether you have your own health insurance, are on your parents’ plan, or don’t have insurance at all, we’ve got you covered. Find a health center near you.

  • Many insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover Planned Parenthood services.

  • We’ll help you navigate your state’s health insurance plans. Learn more

  • Is health insurance not an option for you? We can get you set up with state or locally funded programs that help cover the cost of your birth control.

Accidents Happen. That’s Why There’s Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. There are a few different kinds. Find out which one is right for you.