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Birth control. What's right for you?

Being informed is the best way to decide which birth control method fits your lifestyle. We’re here to help with whatever you decide.

Did you know there are benefits to birth control outside of pregnancy prevention?

  • Regulate menstrual cycles (period)
  • Ease cramping associated with the menstrual cycle
  • Regulate hormones
  • Decrease the risk of certain cancers
  • Help with endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • Decrease breakouts from acne

Your First Visit

When you come for a first visit, we can recommend a birth control method based on your lifestyle and sexual habits. If you’re already on birth control, we can perform a check-up or help you switch to a different method. Contraception is a highly personal choice. Ultimately, you pick which method is best for you.

Types of Birth Control

 *Effectiveness rates are based on each method being used properly each time. Not all methods protect against STIs.

About Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is birth control that prevents pregnancy after sex, which is why it is sometimes called “the morning-after” or “day-after” pill. You can use emergency contraception right away—or up to five days after sex—if you think your birth control has failed, you didn’t use contraception, or you were forced to have sex.

Emergency contraception can be 75-89% effective if taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, but it can also be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after. While it will make it less likely that you will become pregnant, it is not as effective as birth control like the pill or condoms. If you are sexually active or planning to be, don’t use emergency contraception as your only protection against pregnancy. Also, emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections like HIV (only condoms do).

Abstinence

Not engaging in sexual activity which is the only method that is 100% effective in pregnancy prevention.

Depo-Provera

Hormonal shot is given by medical provider once every three months, up to 99% effective

Diaphragm

Barrier method inserted into the vagina prior to sex, stops the sperm from entering the uterus, up to 94% effective

Outercourse

Skin to skin contact or mutual masturbation which is nearly 100% effective in pregnancy prevention.

Birth Control Pill

Hormonal Pill is taken at the exact same time every day, up to 99% effective.

Emergency Contraception (EC)

Plan B or also known as the morning-after pill. High dose hormonal method which can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is. If you are already pregnant, it will not cause harm.

Natural Family Planning

 (Rhythm or Fertilization Awareness Methods) — Sometimes women use fertility awareness apps like Ovia Fertility to track when they are most likely to get pregnant. This is 75%-89% effective.

Breastfeeding

When you exclusively breastfeed — you nurse at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night, and feed your baby only breast milk — your body naturally stops ovulating. You can’t get pregnant if you don’t ovulate.

IUD (Intrauterine Device)

Inserted into the uterus by a medical provider. These methods are 99% effective in pregnancy prevention. These  small, plastic, t-shaped devices are good for many years yet reversible when patient is ready to have it removed. 

Liletta: 8-year IUD (hormonal) made for women with a smaller uterus, or ones who have never had a baby as uterus and cervix have never been dilated (smaller device and insertion tool).

Mirena: 8-year IUD (hormonal) works similar to Liletta but it can also be used to help with heavy bleeding.
 

Paragard: 10-year IUD, works by releasing a small amount of copper into the uterus to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg, up to 99% effective.

Skyla: 3-year IUD (hormonal) releases hormone progestin into the body to prevent pregnancy. 

Cervical Cap

Cap inserted into the vagina. Barrier method that stops sperm from reaching the egg, up to 84–91% effective.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)

These methods of IUDs & Nexplanon are placed in one or two office visits, last for years but can be reversed early if you want.

Spermicides

when used with another method, up to 94% effective. Kills sperm before it can reach the egg.

Withdrawal/Pull out method

Man will withdraw the penis from the vagina in hopes of preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg, effectiveness varies.

Condoms (Male/External)

Barrier method placed over an erect penis to stop egg and sperm from reaching each other. Can also prevent STIs and is up to 98% effective.

Sterilization

 Tubal ligation for women, vasectomy for men, almost 100% effective

Nexplanon

Flexible bar placed underneath the skin of the arm. Slowly releases hormones into the body to stop women’s bodies from releasing eggs and is 99% effective.

Condoms (Female/Internal)

Barrier method used inside the body (vagina or anus) to stop skin to skin contact (latex-free) and is up to 95% effective.

NuvaRing

Ring inserted into the vagina, stays in for three weeks slowly releasing hormones. Removed during the fourth week for the period. This is up to 99% effective.

Transdermal Patch (Ortho Evra)

Wear one patch a week for three weeks, slowly releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. Do not wear a patch during the fourth week. This is up to 99% effective.

For help choosing the best method for you, call the health center nearest you for an appointment today!

If you don’t have insurance or are under-insured, we have you covered. Please inquire at your next appointment or give us a call at 315-531-9102.

FLCH Reproductive Health is supported by the NYS Family Planning Program​. Donations are not a prerequisite to care.