Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAvailable Birth Control MethodsWho Should UseBirth Control HistorySpecific TypesHow to UseChoosing Birth Control
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Available Birth Control Methods
Who Should Use
Birth Control History
Specific Types
How to Use
Choosing Birth Control
Birth control is the use of different devices, sexual practices, techniques, chemicals, drugs, and/or surgical procedures to purposely try to prevent getting pregnant while having sex.
There are several types of birth control methods that have been officially labeled ascontraception—i.e., they have been shown to be reliable in preventing conception from taking place.
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Also Known AsFamily planningPregnancy preventionFertility control
Also Known As
Family planningPregnancy preventionFertility control
There aremultiple contraceptionmethods available. And with so many options, it can get confusing. Learning the pros and cons of each type can help youchoosethe right method for you.
Each method typically falls under one of five categories:
We acknowledge that the reproductive organs one has may not align with society’s assumptions about one’s gender. One should primarily consider the reproductive organs that are in their bodies and their partners bodies when choosing what makes most sense for them and their contraceptive needs
Who Should Use Contraception?
If you do not want to get pregnant right now—but are having sex with a partner where pregnancy could result (i.e., penis-in-vagina intercourse)—you should beusing birth control. Because there are so many methods, you should be able to find an option that fits into your lifestyle and matches your health needs.
So, if you are allergic to latex, for example, theymake condomsfrom other materials. Or, if you can’t use estrogen, there are several progestin-only birth control pills to pick from.
When healthy heterosexual couples in their 20s and early 30s do not use (orstop using) birth control, they have around a 25% chance of getting pregnant during a single menstrual cycle. By age 40, that number drops to 10% for people assigned female at birth. Male fertility also decreases with age, but not as predictably.
A Brief History of Birth Control
There is evidence that contraception has been used since ancient times. But safe andeffectivebirth control methods have only been available since the 20th century.
Did you know that birth control use did not become legal in the United States until 1965? Before then, it was either outlawed or restricted in most states.But, on June 7, 1965, in the case ofGriswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court ruled that people who were married had the right to make their owndecisionsabout whether or not to use contraception. This meant, however, thatonlymarried couples were legally allowed to use contraception.
This continued to be the law until March 22, 1972. On that date, in the case ofEisenstadt v. Baird, the Supreme Court ruled that unmarried people had the same right as married couples to use birth control.
It wasn’t untilTummino v. Hamburgin 2013 that most forms of emergency contraception became available over the counter to people of any age.
Specific Types of Birth Control
It is easiest to understand the different contraception types based on the five categories:
As you can see, most of the available methods are for women. Except for withdrawal and abstinence, the only options for men are condoms and having a vasectomy.Hormonal birth control for people assigned male at birthis currently being researched, but there are no methods available yet.
In July 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvedOpill (norgestrel), aprogestin-only oral contraceptive, to be sold OTC. Opill is the first and only birth control pill available without a prescription. Before starting a birth control method, it’s a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider, even if your method of choice doesn’t require a prescription.
How to Use Contraception
As stated, there are various types of birth control. But each method is designed to work in a certain way:
The most important thing about contraception is that you use it correctly and every time that you have sex. Also, although all these methods are very different, the one thing they have in common is thatnomethod (except forabstinence) is 100% effective. However, some forms are much more effective than others. For example, condoms or fertility awareness methods result in more than 13 pregnancies in 100 women per year, while highly effective methods like the IUD or Nexplanon result in less than 1 pregnancy in 100 women per year.
It is your right whether or not to use contraception and decidingwhich method to useis a personal choice.
There is no “best” birth control method. It is helpful to research each method, weigh the risks and benefits, consider thelevel of effectivenessyou want, and choose the one that fits into your lifestyle, your comfort level, and/orreligious beliefs.
Having an honesttalk with a healthcare providercan also help you in your decision-making process.
Part of your decision about which contraception method to choose may be based on some of your values. For example, if you have chosen to live a greener lifestyle, you may want to use an eco-friendly method or a device that can berecycled. You may also want to consider howquickly your fertility will returnonce you stop using a particular method.
And even if you are already using birth control, don’t feel like you are stuck with that specific method. If you are not satisfied,change your birth control. The more comfortable and pleased you are with your contraception, the more likely you will use it (and in the correct way). Allow yourself to be empowered over your health, your reproductive and sexual choices, and your birth control. You are in charge of your body.
A Word From Verywell
Contraception has far-reaching implications in life. It can allow you to decide how many children you may want to have as well as when you want to be pregnant. There is no “right” reason to use birth control, but it isyourdecision to make.
You may have your own reasons for wanting to use birth control, but choosing a method should be an informed decision. Do your research, have a truthfulconversation with your partner, and talk to a healthcare provider.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Planned Parenthood.Emergency Contraception.
Planned Parenthood Report.A History of Birth Control Methods.
Justia. U.S. Supreme Court.Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 469 (1965).
Justia. U.S. Supreme Court.Eisenstadt v. Baird, 405 U.S. 438 (1972).
Center for Reproductive Rights.Tummino v. Hamburg.
State of Michigan Health & Human Services.Birth Control for Men.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Contraception and Birth Control Methods.
Planned Parenthood.Fertility Awareness.Planned Parenthood.Sterilization.Planned Parenthood.Birth Control.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Barrier Methods of Birth Control: Spermicide, Condom, Sponge, Diaphragm, and Cervical Cap.
Planned Parenthood.Fertility Awareness.
Planned Parenthood.Sterilization.
Planned Parenthood.Birth Control.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Barrier Methods of Birth Control: Spermicide, Condom, Sponge, Diaphragm, and Cervical Cap.
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