Quick Facts About Some Birth Control Methods

Ready for some quick fire facts about 6 birth control methods?

Here are the pros and cons for a few birth control methods, but don’t forget that your healthcare provider can give you more detailed information on these methods and more. They can further help you make your decision.

IUD (Intrauterine Device):

• Pros: 99% effective, last 5-10 years
• Cons: expensive (one-time cost), needs to be inserted/removed by a doctor

The Pill:

• Pros: inexpensive, easily stopped, variety of types
• Cons: remembering to take it at the same time every day, doctor visits for prescriptions

Implant (Implanon/Nexplanon):

• Pros: lasts for 3 years
• Cons: needs to be inserted/removed by a doctor

The Ring (Nuvaring):

• Pros: inexpensive, change once a month
• Cons: not staying in place, remembering to change, requires prescription

The Patch (Ortho-evra):

• Pros: inexpensive, change once a week
• Cons: can be visible to others, need to be sure it stays on and remember to change weekly, requires prescription

The Shot (Depo-provera):

• Pros: lasts for 3 months
• Cons: getting shots on time, can’t stop if you have side effects

Want more info? Bedsider’s Method Explorer has the nitty-gritty on these methods and others not mentioned. Check it out!