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Birth control

Having a baby is truly a blessed event, especially when your baby comes at a time in your life when you are prepared to nurture him or her. Birth control can help you prevent getting pregnant before you are ready to have a child. You have the choice of many safe, reliable types of birth control.

Temporary protection

  • Hormonal methods: Birth control pills, shots (such as Depo-Provera), skin patches, implants, and the vaginal ring.
  • Intrauterine devices (IUDs): Copper IUD (such as ParaGard) and the hormonal IUD (such as Mirena). (More Information)
  • Condoms, diaphragms, and sponges must be used every time you have sex and do not prevent pregnancy as well as hormonal methods or IUDs.
  • Natural family planning requires you to keep track of your fertility and skip sex or use a barrier method.

Permanent protection

Consider permanent protection only if you are absolutely sure you don’t want to get pregnant and have more children.

  • Tubal ligation and tubal implants (for women)
  • Vasectomy (for men)

Emergency protection

Emergency contraception (Plan B/”the morning after pill”) can be used to prevent a pregnancy if you take it within five days of:

  • Having unprotected sex
  • Your birth control method fails (the condom breaks, you forget to take your birth control pills)

The sooner you take emergency contraceptive pills, the better. Keep some on hand, just in case you need them. Call your doctor or the 24-hour advice line listed in our location finder for information on getting a supply. If you are younger than 17, ask your doctor for a prescription.

If you’re already pregnant, emergency contraception can’t terminate the pregnancy.

Ask your doctor what’s right for you. Some methods may suit you better than others, especially if you have certain health risks such as migraines, heart disease, high blood pressure, blood clots, or diabetes.

Think you might be pregnant?

If you think you might be pregnant see your doctor or other health professional right away. If your pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted at this time, your doctor understands and will help you explore various options.

If you want to keep this conversation private, trust your health care provider to honor your wishes in most cases.

By Betty Shen, MD - Published November 3, 2015