You never know when you'll get lucky.
Both of you are responsible for birth control. Do not rely on your partner to provide it. Guys -- don't assume she's on the pill! Women -- don't assume he's got a condom!
No matter what kind of birth control you use, always use a condom too, because condoms help to protect you from getting HIV and STD's
available at drugstores
- Condom/Rubber:
- Looks
like a rubber sock for your dick.
We
recommend latex or polyurethane condoms because lambskin condoms don’t block
HIV and STDs. If you think you might be allergic to latex see Trouble
Shooting. Using a
water-based lubricant during sex can prevent the condom from breaking
and help prevent vaginal soreness/irritation.
(See Safe Sex page for important tips on using condoms.)
- Female Condom:
- A
plastic (polyurethane) pouch held inside the vagina with a flexible
plastic ring. It’s less
effective than the male condom in preventing STD’s and pregnancy,
and it’s more expensive. But,
if you’re allergic to latex, this might be a good alternative (see Trouble Shooting). Some women prefer it, others find it bulky.
You can’t use it for anal sex, and we don’t recommend using
it with a sex toy.
- Morning After Pill:
- A series of
pills, also called Emergency Contraceptive (EC) or Plan B, that you must take within
five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex (vaginal intercourse). It is only for emergencies and has some side effects.
If you are 17 years or older, you can get Plan B at the
drugstore without a prescription. If younger, you need to get a prescription from a health clinic. For more info go to the Emergency Contraceptive Website at http://www.not-2-late.com.
- Sponge:
- A small sponge with spermicide in it that you insert into the vagina. Spermicide may irritate your skin and vagina leading to a higher risk of getting UTIs (Urinary Track Infections) and HIV/AIDS.
- Spermicide:
- A cream, foam, jelly,
sponge, or suppository that kills sperm. Spermicide
may irritate your skin and vagina leading to a higher risk of getting UTIs (Urinary Tract
Infections) and HIV/AIDS. We no longer recommend the use of spermicide
for this reason.To find out more about the problems with spermicide, click
here.
available at healthcare clinics
- Depo Provera:
- A birth control shot that lasts 3 months. Possible side effects include heavy periods, no period, weight gain, and more. Once you get the shot, you're stuck for at least 3 months. To find out more about the problems with Depo Provera, download "Time to Take a Critical Look at Depo-Provera" in pdf form: click here.
- Diaphragm or Cervical Cap:
- Looks like a small rubber Frisbee or cap
that you put in your vagina. Must
be used
with spermicide and that's a problem (see Spermicide above).
- Patch:
- A small patch that is stuck to your skin and releases hormones into your body. Change the patch once a week. It works like the pill and has similar side effects. The patch is not recommended for women who weigh over 200 pounds.
- The Pill:
- A pill taken at the same time every day to prevent pregnancy. If you miss a day, keep taking the pills and maybe use latex condoms for the rest of the month to be extra safe. With some pill brands you get your period every month, with others you skip some months. The pill has some health risks -- ask your health care provider.
Some frequently asked questions about the pill can be found here.
- Ring:
- A small ring that you put into your vagina. It releases hormones into your body for 3 weeks and then you take it out for the 4th week. The Ring works like "The Pill" and has similar side effects.
NOT recommended
- Withdrawal:
- We don't recommend. Even guys who can tell when they're going to cum can't always pull out fast enough. Besides, when a guy's penis gets hard, some cum (precum) leaks out of it before orgasm. Precum can get you pregnant and give you HIV and many STDs.
- Fertility Awareness Method:
- Charting your basal body temperature and cervical mucus to predict ovulation. Better for trying to get pregnant than to prevent pregnancy. Not recommended for teens.
- Implanon:
- A small rod inserted under the skin of your arm that releases hormones into your body. Works for 3 years and then must be removed. Many health risks. We don't recommend.
- I.U.D.:
- A small plastic thing that is put into your
uterus. Not recommended
for teens due to high risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and
other health risks.
- Rhythm Method:
- We don't recommend. Using your menstrual cycle to predict the days you can get pregnant, and then only having sex on the days you think you can't. This method is very unreliable and often results in an unwanted pregnancy.
To protect yourself from HIV and STDs, always use a condom with other forms of birth control.
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both ofyou are responsible for birth control
always use a condom with other forms of birth control