• Welcome to Birth control guide
• Birth control options
• Condoms and other barrier methods
• Male condom
• Female condom
• Cervical cap
• Diaphragm
• Cervical shield
• Spermicides
• Contraceptive sponge
• Barrier methods of birth control: Pros and cons
• The pill and other hormonal contraceptives
• Birth control combination pill
• Skin patch for birth control
• Vaginal ring
• Combined estrogen and progestin contraceptives: Pros and cons
• Progestin-only birth control pill
• Depo-Provera injectable contraceptive
• Implantable contraceptive device
• Progestin-only contraceptives: Pros and cons
• Intrauterine device
• Copper IUD
• Hormonal IUD
• IUD: Pros and cons
• Natural family planning
• Basal body temperature birth control method
• Calendar birth control method
• TwoDay birth control method
• Lactational amenorrhea birth control method
• Standard days birth control method
• Symptothermal birth control method
• Natural family planning: Pros and cons
• Sterilization
• Essure
• Tubal ligation
• Vasectomy
• Sterilization: Pros and cons
• Withdrawal birth control method
• Withdrawal: Pros and cons
• Emergency birth control
• Emergency contraception: Pros and cons
• Emerging birth control methods
• Things to consider about birth control

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Birth control options

Given all the options available, you may find choosing a birth control method confusing. You can make it a little easier by considering your lifestyle, goals and health status. Consider these factors as you decide on a birth control method that's right for you:

• How you feel about planning for sex
• Your comfort level with inserting contraceptive devices into your body
• Your diligence in following directions, whether it's taking a pill every day or tracking your fertile days
• How effective the method is at preventing pregnancy
• Whether you plan to have children someday
• How often you have sex
• Whether you have a monogamous partner
• How the method alters your sexual experience
• Whether you smoke

As you make your decision, you may find it helpful to know what birth control methods are most widely used. In the United States, the birth control pill is the most common contraceptive method, followed by tubal ligation and the male condom.

To help you understand the many birth control options available, this guide provides an overview of each, beginning with condoms and other barrier methods.

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