With so many options available, it's easy to be overwhelmed. Learn the pros and cons of 13 types of birth control based on cost, effectiveness, flexibility, and potential side effects.
It's easy to be overwhelmed when thinking about starting birth control. There are so many options out there, it's hard to even keep track.
We chose 13 popular birth control methods – including condoms, the pill, the sponge, IUDs, vaginal ring , morning after pill, and more – and highlighted the pros and cons of each based on effectiveness, cost, flexibility, and side effects.
Want to know the effectiveness of condoms? Got ya covered. How safe is the morning after pill? Click ahead to find out. Contemplating the new intrauterine devices or the ring? They are in here, too.
What is it? It's a thin latex sheath worn on the penis during intercourse, in order to collect semen and prevent sperm from entering the vagina. Condoms come in lots of shapes and sizes. They cost about $1 each.
Effectiveness: 85% effective
Pros: Condoms are inexpensive and accessible and can be used in conjunction with other forms of birth control. Condoms also significantly reduce your risk for sexually transmitted infections.
Cons: About one in 75 people are allergic to latex and need to use non-latex condoms. Condoms can reduce sensitization; some couples feel that they can have a negative effect on the quality of their sex life.
What is it? It's an oral contraceptive containing estrogen and progestin. Estrogen stops egg production; progestin keeps sperm from reaching an egg. Costs $14-50 per month.
Effectiveness: 92% effective
Pros: No hassle before sex. The hormones can cause lighter periods and provide protection against acne, certain cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cysts.
Cons: Skipping a day increases risk of pregnancy that day. Side effects might include nausea, vomiting, and spotting. Combining estrogen and progestin slightly increases the chance of some rare but serious problems like blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
What is it? The only type of birth control taken after sex. It can be taken up to 5 days after. It uses the same hormones as a birth control pill, but in greater amounts. Available at drugs store without a prescription if you are over 17; costs $10-70.
Effectiveness: 89% effective
Pros: In the case of an accident or emergency, the morning after pill is your best option.
Cons: About 50% of women who take the morning after pill feel queasy, but it usually goes away in under 24 hours. Other, less-common, side effects are abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness. Taking the morning after pill too often can cause irregular periods.
What is it? A single shot in the arm releases the hormone progestin, which keeps sperm from joining with an egg. Costs about $35-75.
Effectiveness: 97% effective
Pros: Administered by a doctor once every three months. Progestin can reduce menstrual bleeding and cramping and doesn't have many of the negative side effects of estrogen.
Cons: The effects are long-lasting, so if you are thinking of getting pregnant soon, it's probably not for you. Possible progestin side effects include irregular periods, sore breasts, headache, nausea, and more. Most side effects go away within three months. Rarer side effects include weight gain and changes in sex drive, among others.
What is it? It's a small plastic ring inserted into the vagina once a month and left there for three weeks. It's taken out for the fourth week of the month. The ring releases estrogen and progestin into the body. Estrogen stops egg production; the progestin thickens a women's cervical mucus and keeps sperm from reaching an egg. Costs about $15-50 per month.
Effectiveness: 92% effective
Pros: Only two things to remember: Put the ring in on first day of month: take it out three weeks later. For positive side effects of estrogen and progestin, see slide #3.
Cons: For potential negative side effects of estrogen and progestin, see slide #3.
What is it? It's a small piece of flexible plastic implanted under the skin of the upper arm. The implant releases progestin into the body, which keeps sperm from joining with an egg. Insertion takes a few minutes, and the implant lasts for up to three years. Costs about $400-800.
Effectiveness: 99% effective
Pros: It's long lasting and effective. It's low profile and causes no hassle before, during, or after sex. For other benefits of progestin, see slide #5.
Cons: You have to go through minor surgery. Irregular bleeding during the first 6-12 months is common. For other side effects of progestin, see slide #5.
What is it? It's a thin patch that sticks to the skin and releases the hormones estrogen and progestin into the body. Estrogen stops egg production; the progestin thickens a women's cervical mucus and keeps sperm from reaching an egg. Costs about $14-50 per month.
Effectiveness: 92% effective
Pros: You put a new patch on the skin only once a month. For potential positive side effects of estrogen and progestin, see slide #3.
Cons: For potential negative side effects of estrogen and progestin, see slide #3.
What is it? Made of soft foam, the sponge is round and usually two inches in diameter. Prior to intercourse, it is inserted into the vagina. It covers the cervix and blocks sperm. Costs about $9-15 for a package of three.
Effectiveness: 84% for those who have not given birth, 68% for those who have.
Pros: It does not require a prescription and lasts up to 30 hours, during which you can have sex as much as you like without removing the sponge. It has no effect on your hormones and is unobtrusive during sex.
Cons: Some may find it tricky to insert or remove. Some couples find it makes intercourse too wet or too dry.
What is it? It's a plastic pouch with flexible plastic rings at each end. Before sex, it's inserted into the vagina; the ring at the closed end holds the pouch in the vagina, and the ring at the open end stays outside the vaginal opening during sex. They cost about $4 each.
Effectiveness: 79% effective
Pros: It's easy to get, and it puts women in control of pregnancy prevention. Female condoms cause no hormonal changes and decrease risk for sexually transmitted infections.
Cons: Some couples feel that using a female condom has a negative effect on the quality of their sex life; it can be noisy and reduce feeling during intercourse. It can cause irritation.
What is it? It's a dome-shaped cup with a flexible ring made of latex that is inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix. It blocks the opening to the uterus and prevents sperm from joining with an egg. Costs about $15-75 and lasts two years.
Effectiveness: 84% effective
Pros: It's immediately effective and has no effect on your hormones. It can also be inserted hours ahead of time, so you don't have to worry about dealing with it just before sex. Most people say they don't feel it during sex.
Cons: It requires a prescription and can't be used during your period. In some rare cases, it can cause urinary tract infections or allergy-related vaginal irritation.
What is it? The Mirena IUD is a small, T-shaped device made of flexible plastic that releases a small amount of progestin on a regular schedule. Inserted by a doctor, the IUD works by preventing sperm from joining with an egg. The progestin thickens a women's cervical mucus and keeps sperm from reaching an egg. Costs about $250-950.
Effectiveness: 99.8% effective
Pros: It lasts 7 years, and is effective and completely undetectable during sex with no hassle before or after. Progestin may reduce cramps and make your period lighter.
Cons: After insertion, you may have a few days of mild cramping or a backache and, for the first 3-6 months, spotting between periods and/or irregular periods.
What is it? The ParaGard IUD is small, T-shaped device made of flexible plastic and copper. A doctor or registered nurse inserts it into a woman's uterus. It works by preventing sperm from joining with an egg. Costs about $175-650 and lasts up to 12 years.
Effectiveness: 99.2% effective
Pros: It's long-lasting and highly effective. IUDs are completely undetectable during sex, and there is no hassle before or after. The copper IUD does not change your natural hormone levels.
Cons: The potential negative side effects for the ParaGard IUD are the same as for the Mirena IUD; see slide #12.
What is it? It's silicone cup inserted into the vagina and over the cervix. It works by keeping sperm from entering the uterus. It costs about $60-75 and lasts two years.
Effectiveness: 84% effective for those who have never given birth, but only 71% effective for those who have.
Pros: It's convenient and immediately effective and has no effect on a woman's hormones. It can also be inserted up to six hours before sex, so there's no hassle before intercourse.
Cons: It cannot be used during menstruation and may be difficult and uncomfortable for some women to insert. Cervical caps only come in three sizes, so it's hard to get a perfect fit. Requires a prescription.
Want to learn more? Visit the birth control learning center to read more in-depth, doctor-reviewed articles on pregnancy planning. If you're thinking about pregnancy, check out the pregnancy learning center.
Did you know that sex is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle? Read Healthline's guide to healthy sex and learn 12 ways sex helps you live longer to find out more.
