Birth Control Methods
Birth Control
The Condom--male
The Condom--female
DMPA--The Shot
Diaphragm
Implanon
The Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Periodic Abstinence and Fertility Awareness
The Pill
The Patch
The Ring
Spermicide
Sterilization
Female sterilization (Essure)
Vasectomy
Get information on contraceptive coverage and health insurance.
Condoms are over-the-counter, barrier methods of reversible birth control. They are sheaths of thin rubber, plastic or animal tissue worn on the penis during intercourse. They are available dry or lubricated.
HOW CONDOMS WORK
Condoms collect semen before, during and after ejaculation and can keep sperm from entering the vagina.
HOW WELL CONDOMS WORK
Of 100 women whose partners use condoms, about 14 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Only three women will become pregnant with perfect use. More protection against pregnancy is possible if, at the same time, a woman uses a spermicide such as foam, cream, jelly, suppository or film.
Latex condoms offer very good protection against many sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, chancroid and trichomoniasis.
To find out if condoms are the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
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The female condom is a reversible barrier method of birth control. It is a polyurethane pouch with flexible rings at each end. It is inserted deep into the vagina like a diaphragm. The ring at the closed end holds the pouch in the vagina. The ring at the open ends stays outside the vaginal opening.
HOW THE FEMALE CONDOM WORKS
The female condom collects sperm before, during and after ejaculation and keeps sperm from entering the vagina.
HOW WELL THE FEMALE CONDOM WORKS
Of 100 women who use female condoms, 21 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Five will become pregnant with perfect use.
The female condom provides protection against many sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
To find out if the female condom is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
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DMPA is a reversible prescription method of birth control. It is a synthetic hormone that is injected into the buttock or arm every 12 weeks. The hormone, a progestin, is like the one produced by the body to regulate the menstrual cycle.
HOW INJECTIONS WORK
The hormone keeps the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also thickens the cervical mucus. This keeps sperm from joining with an egg.
HOW WELL INJECTIONS WORK
DMPA is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control. Of every 1000 women who use DMPA, only three will become pregnant during the first year.
Injections provide no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
To find out if DMPA is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician. Back to top of page
DiaphragmDiaphragms are prescription barrier methods of birth control. Diaphragms are used with a spermicide cream or jelly. The diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped cup with a flexible rim that fits securely in the vagina to cover the cervix.
HOW DIAPHRAGMS WORK
The diaphragm must be coated with spermicide jelly and inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix before intercourse. This blocks the entrance to the uterus, and the jelly or cream immobilizes sperm, preventing it from joining an egg.
HOW WELL DIAPHRAGMS WORK
Of 100 women who use the diaphragm, 20 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Six will become pregnant with perfect use.
Diaphragms may provide some protection against certain sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea.
To find out if a diaphragm is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
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The Essure procedure is a non-incisional surgical procedure that involves placing a small, flexible device into each fallopian tube. Body tissue then grows into the micro-inserts, blocking the fallopian tubes and preventing sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. Please visit http://www.essure.com/ for more information. Dr. Tom Ross performs the Essure procedure at the Family Practice Center in Des Moines.
The benefits of Essure:
- No incisions are required.
- Can be performed without general anesthesia.
- Does not contain hormones.
- Almost 100 percent effective.
- Patients can return to work within 24 hours and return to normal activities in 1 to 2 days.
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ImplanonImplanon is a thin, match-stick sized rod, called an implant. It is made of a soft plastic-like material and contains a progestin similar to the hormone progesterone that is produced by a woman's body. It is inserted beneath the skin of the arm, and a very small amount of the hormone goes into your bloodstream all the time.
How Implanon works
Implanon works in two ways. It keeps eggs from being released from the ovaries. It also thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg.
How well Implanon works
For every 100 women who use Implanon, fewer than one will become pregnant per year. When Implanon is taken out, you will no longer be protected from pregnancy, and you should be able to get pregnant as quickly as you would have before using Implanon.
Although it is possible that with time Implanon may be somewhat less effective in heavier or obese women, it may still be a good option for them. It may also be less effective if it is taken with certain drugs, especially anti-tuberculosis (TB), some that are used to control seizures or treat certain mental illnesses and HIV/AIDS. Be sure to talk with your clinician if you take any other medicine — including herbs like St. Johns Wort and other over-the-counter medicine. Tell other clinicians you see that you are using Implanon.
Insertion — The best time to have Implanon inserted is when you are sure you are not pregnant:
- within five days after the start of your period
- before you discontinue the birth control pill, patch, ring, or IUD
- before your next DMPA shot is due
- right after an abortion
- after you have a baby
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IUDs are prescription reversible methods of birth control. They are small devices made of plastic that contain copper or a natural hormone. A clinician will suggest which is the right type for a woman before it is inserted into her uterus. The ParaGard (Copper T IUD) can be left in place for 12 years. Insertion and removal must be done by a clinician. Mirena contains progestin to decrease bleeding and must be replaced every 5 years.
HOW IUDs WORK
IUDs usually work by preventing fertilization of an egg. They seem to do it by affecting the way the sperm or eggs move. They can also affect the lining of the uterus in ways that prevent implantation.
HOW WELL IUDs WORK
The IUD is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control available to women in the U.S. Of 100 women who use IUDs, two or fewer will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Fewer pregnancies occur with continued use.
The IUD provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
To find out if an IUD is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
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Periodic abstinence and fertility awareness methods (FAMs) are ways you can prevent pregnancy using your fertility pattern. Understanding your fertility pattern helps you predict ovulation--the day an egg is likely to be released. You can also use this information to help you become pregnant.
HOW PERIODIC ABSTINENCE AND FAMs WORK
Women using periodic abstinence for contraception do not have vaginal intercourse during their fertile or "unsafe days." Women who depend on FAMs use a barrier contraceptive during their "unsafe days." Determining your unsafe days is the first step for both methods. Using abstinence as contraception on those days is the way these methods are used for birth control.
HOW WELL PERIODIC ABSTINENCE WORKS
(Effectiveness and failure rates for FAMs are not available.) Of 100 women using periodic abstinence, about 25 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Perfect use can give better results.
Neither periodic abstinence nor FAMs provide protection against sexually transmitted infections.
To find out if periodic abstinence or FAMs is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician. Back to top of page
The Pill is a prescription reversible method of birth control. It is a monthly series in which one pill is taken daily. The active ingredients are synthetic hormones like those produced by the body to regulate the menstrual cycle. Combined oral contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestin. Progestin-only pills contain no estrogen.
HOW THE PILL WORKS
Combined pills keep the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). Progestin-only pills can also prevent ovulation, but they work mainly by thickening the cervical mucus. This prevents the sperm from joining with the egg. Combination pills may also thicken the cervical mucus. Both types of pills can also prevent fertilized eggs from implanting in the uterus.
HOW WELL THE PILL WORKS
The Pill is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control available to women in the U.S. Of every 100 women who use the Pill, only five will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Women who take the Pill correctly every day have a less than one-percent chance of getting pregnant.
The Pill provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
To find out if The Pill is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
The Patch (Ortho Evra)The patch is a reversible prescription method of birth control that provides pregnancy prevention without daily dosing.
HOW THE PATCH WORKS
It releases hormones into the bloodstream similar to those found in the pill. The patch should be applied once a week for three weeks of the month.
HOW WELL THE PATCH WORKS
The patch is 99% effective when used correctly. The patch provides no protection against sexually transmitted infection.
To find out if the patch is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
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The RingThe ring (NuvaRing) is a reversible method of birth control that provides pregnancy prevention without daily dosing.
HOW THE RING WORKS
The ring flexible ring that fits into the vagina and releases hormones similar to those found in the pill. The ring is used three weeks out of the month.
HOW WELL THE RING WORKS
The ring is 99% effective when used correctly.
The ring provides no protection against sexually transmitted infection.
To find out if the ring is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
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Spermicide is a reversible barrier method of birth control. It is available in a variety of contraceptive preparations, including foams, creams, jellies, film and suppositories, which are liquids or solids that melt after they are inserted.
These products are inserted deep into the vagina shortly before intercourse. The chemical spermicide that they contain immobilizes sperm.
HOW SPERMICIDE WORKS
Contraceptive foams block the entrance to the uterus with bubbles and contain a spermicide that immobilizes sperm, preventing it from joining with an egg.
Contraceptive creams, jellies, film and suppositories melt into a thick liquid throughout the vagina. They block the entrance to the uterus and contain spermicide that immobilizes sperm.
HOW WELL SPERMICIDE WORKS
Of 100 women who use contraceptive foam, cream, jelly, film or suppositories, 26 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Only six will become pregnant with perfect use. Using a condom increases effectiveness.
Spermicide may provide some protection against certain sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea.
To find out if a spermicide is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
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Sterilization is surgical birth control. It is intended to be a permanent method of birth control. There is no guarantee it can be reversed.
HOW STERILIZATION WORKS
Tubal sterilization is a surgical operation for women. It blocks the Fallopian tubes--the tubes where eggs are fertilized by sperm. Vasectomy is a surgical operation for men. It blocks the vas deferens--the tubes that carry sperm. Pregnancy cannot happen when sperm cannot reach an egg.
HOW WELL STERILIZATION WORKS
Sterilization is one of the most effective contraceptive methods. Of every 1000 women who are sterilized, only five will become pregnant during the first year. About one of 100 women will become pregnant each year after. Of every 1000 men who are sterilized, fewer that two will cause pregnancy during the first year.
Sterilization provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
To find out if sterilization is the right birth control method for you, contact your clinician.
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Female sterilization (Essure)
The Essure procedure is a non-incisional surgical procedure that involves placing a small, flexible device into each fallopian tube. Body tissue then grows into the micro-inserts, blocking the fallopian tubes and preventing sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. Please visit http://www.essure.com/ for more information. Dr. Tom Ross performs the Essure procedure at the Family Practice Center in Des Moines.
The benefits of Essure:
- No incisions are required.
- Can be performed without general anesthesia.
- Does not contain hormones.
- Almost 100 percent effective.
- Patients can return to work within 24 hours and return to normal activities in 1 to 2 days.
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Vasectomy is permanent birth control for men. It is a surgical operation that causes sterility. About 500,000 men in the U.S. choose vasectomy every year. It is chosen by men who have completed their families or by men who do not want children. These men want birth control that is intended to be permanent. They prefer vasectomy because most reversible methods are less reliable, sometimes inconvenient, and may have unpleasant side effects for the women in their lives.
HOW A VASECTOMY WORKS
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure which involves severing of the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from inside a man's body through the penis and out. It does not affect sexual function. No glands or organs are removed or altered. Your hormones and sperm continue being produced. Ejaculate will look just like it always did. And there will be about as much of it as before.
HOW WELL VASECTOMY WORKS
Vasectomy is nearly 100 percent effective. It is intended to be permanent. It is safe. It doesn't limit sexual pleasure.
For more information about vasectomy, contact us at 877.811.PLAN (7526).
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According to a report from the Alan Guttmacher Institute, American women spend approximately thirty years of their reproductive life avoiding pregnancy. In spite of this fact, insurance companies have been notoriously reluctant to provide contraceptive coverage. Although birth control is a part of the majority of women's lives, many insurers still insist that coverage for contraception is a benefit that is impractical and expensive.
"Forcing employers and insurers to cover birth control will only exacerbate high health insurance costs," said Tom Wildsmith of the Health Insurance Industry of America.
Activists in favor of prescription equity see the issue as a basic health care need.
"I would say it’s an idea whose time has come--it's past time," said Gloria Feldt, executive director of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "When it comes to health insurance, men have been getting a better deal," she said.
Courts in twenty states across the nation, including Iowa, have now made contraceptive coverage a requirement. The insurance industry argues that the expense of this coverage will drive up policy premiums. However, the cost of birth control is a fraction of the price of prenatal care. "Insurance companies have got to realize there's no financial disincentive," Feldt said. "Over the long term, contraceptive coverage seems to save money," she said.
To some, the insurance industry's argument of cost effectiveness is illogical and infuriating. A month's supply of birth control pills can run anywhere from $15--$35 per month. Viagra, the male anti-impotence drug, is covered by most insurance policies at a cost of about $62 per month. Women's advocacy groups see this as a double standard that promotes the importance of male sexuality while minimizing a woman's sexual health.
Iowa's contraceptive benefits are not without limitations. The coverage does not apply to those whose employers are self-insured. This benefit is also elective on individually purchased policies. Federal legislation is needed to make sure that all Iowans can count on contraceptive coverage from their insurers.
To learn more about contraceptive coverage or to learn how to ask your employer for contraceptive coverage under your health plan, go to http://www.covermypills.org/
Learn about FREE birth control services for women at http://www.plansmarttoday.org/ or call toll-free 1.877.811.PLAN (7526). Back to top of page
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