Types of Birth Control

Here are some common types of birth control:

Hormonal Birth Control:

Combo pill which contains synthetic estrogen and progesterone.  These pills can be monophasic (same amount of hormones throughout the cycle), biphasic (hormones change in the 2nd half of the cycle) or triphasic (hormones change 3 times during the cycle)

Mini pill which contains synthetic progesterone called progestin

Patch: you wear this on your skin and there is a slow release of hormones

Ring: this is inserted into the vagina and hormones are released

DepoShot  which lasts 3 months and you typically don’t have a menstrual cycle.

IUD (Intrauterine device): an anchor shaped device inserted into your uterus (can be hormonal or non-hormonal)

Implant: a small rod inserted under your arm that releases hormones

Non-Hormonal Barrier Methods:

Male Condom: worn over the penis to prevent sperm from entering vagina

Female Condom: a pouch inserted into the vagina to prevent a barrier to sperm

Diaphragm: a dome-shaped silicone cup that covers the cervix.

Permanent Methods:

Tubal Ligation: blocking or sealing of fallopian tubes in women

Vasectomy: cutting or block of the vas deferens in men

Natural Methods:

Fertility Awareness Method (FAM): tracking menstrual cycle, daily basal body temperature and cervical mucus to determine fertile and non-fertile time frames.

Withdrawal or Pull-Out Method: withdrawing penis from vagina prior to ejaculation.