Birth control keeps you from getting pregnant during sex. There are many types of birth control. Some of the most common types are described below. New types are being tested all the time. Your doctor can help you decide which type of birth control is best for you. But no matter which type you choose, you and your partner must use it right each time.
A condom is a thin covering that fits over the penis. (The female condom, a less common type, fits inside the vagina.) A condom catches sperm that come out of the penis during sex.
Spermicide is a gel, foam, cream, tablet, or sponge. It is put in the vagina before sex to kill sperm.
Diaphragms and cervical caps are round rubber cups that keep sperm out of the uterus. They also hold spermicide in place.
An IUD is a small device that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
The birth control pill is taken daily. It contains hormones that stop a woman's body from releasing an egg each month.
Hormones that stop a woman's egg from being released each month can be delivered in other ways. These include injection, implant, patch, or vaginal ring. Emergency contraception is hormone pills that can be used up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.
Choose a type of birth control that is easy for you to use.
Read the package to learn to use your birth control the right way.
Most forms of birth control do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
To protect against STIs, always use a latex condom.
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Date Last Modified: 2008-04-25T00:00:00-06:00
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