This is a practical page of the current options available out there. If you know of more, please let me know. HOWEVER, if you start on a religious diatribe, I will delete the comment and ignore it. I am taking the information off of the planned parenthood website, so you can follow my external link over to that site, or read down the list here.
The quick list:
Abstinence
Birth Control Implant (Implanon and Nexplanon)
Birth Control Patch (Ortho Evra)
Birth Control Pills
Birth Control Shot (Depo-Provera)
Birth Control Sponge (Today Sponge)
Birth Control Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)
Cervical Cap (FemCap)
Condom
Diaphragm
Female Condom
IUD
Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)
Vasectomy
Withdrawal (Pull Out Method)
Abstinence: don't have sex. You cannot get pregnant if you simply do not have sex. 100% effective to prevent pregnancy and mostly effective to avoid STIs (sexually transmitted infections) (some STIs like herpes can spread without sexual contact, cold sores are a type of herpes).
Birth Control Implant: A matchstick-sized rod that is inserted in the arm to prevent pregnancy. Must be inserted by a health care provider. Costs between $400 and $800 up front, but lasts up to three years. Certain medicines will make it less effective. Less than 1 in 100 women likely to be pregnant while using properly. SIDE EFFECTS: cannot be used by women with breast cancer. Irregular bleeding, change in sex drive, headache, nausea, sore breasts and weight gain. Does NOT prevent STIs.
Birth Control Patch: A small patch that sticks to your skin,requires a prescription, Costs about $15-$80 a month. (LESS EFFECTIVE FOR WOMEN OVER 198 LBS) 1 in 100 women may become pregnant even when used correctly. Certain medicines will decrease the effectiveness of the patch. SIDE EFFECTS: bleeding between periods, nausea and headaches, breast tenderness, may also cause more long-lasting side effects like a change in sex drive. Serious long term effects include heart attack, stroke, having a blood clot in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain. Studies have found that women using the patch may have a higher risk of getting blood clots than women taking most kinds of birth control pills. But a woman's overall risk of any major problem while using the patch is low. Does NOT prevent STIs.
Birth Control Pill: Take a pill each day, requires a prescription, Cost about $15-$50 each month. Combination pills work best when taken every day. Progestin-only pills must be taken at the same time every day. (pills are less effective on women with higher body weight). Less than 1 out of 100 women likely to get pregnant when used correctly. Certain medications will make the pill less effective. SIDE EFFECTS: bleeding between periods, nausea and headaches, breast tenderness, may also cause more long-lasting side effects like a change in sex drive. Does NOT prevent STIs.
Birth Control Shot*: A shot in the arm, requires a prescription but only necessary every 3 months. Costs $35-100 per shot, not including cost of examinations. Less than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant when used properly. SIDE EFFECTS: bleeding between periods , nausea and headaches, breast tenderness, change in sex drive, change in appetite, weight gain, depression, hair loss, increased hair on the face or body. SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS: organ failure Does NOT prevent STIs.
