In-Depth
Birth control
Birth control basics
- Birth control options: Things to consider Birth control options — Consider these questions before choosing a method of birth control.
- Teens and sex: Protecting your teen's sexual health Teens and sex — Tips for counseling your teen about abstinence and contraception.
- Breast-feeding and medications: What's safe? Breast-feeding and medications — Understand which medications are safe to take while breast-feeding.
Birth control pills
- Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices The birth control pill is surrounded by misinformation. Get the facts about common concerns and questions about taking the pill.
- Delaying your period with birth control pills Delaying your period is possible if you take birth control pills on an adjusted schedule.
- Choosing a birth control pill Considering which is the best birth control pill for you? Weigh the risks and benefits of different birth control pills.
- Minipill (progestin-only birth control pill) Minipill (progestin-only birth control pill) — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this contraceptive.
- Combination birth control pills Combination birth control pills — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
Other birth control options
- Ortho Evra (contraceptive patch) Ortho Evra (contraceptive patch) — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Spermicide Spermicide — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Contraceptive sponge Contraceptive sponge — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Female condom Female condom — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Cervical cap Cervical cap — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Diaphragm Diaphragm — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- ParaGard (copper IUD) ParaGard (copper IUD) — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Mirena (hormonal IUD) Mirena (hormonal IUD) — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Implanon (contraceptive implant) Implanon (contraceptive implant) — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- NuvaRing (vaginal ring) NuvaRing (vaginal ring) — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Depo-Provera (contraceptive injection) Depo-Provera (contraceptive injection) — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Condoms Condoms — Overview covers definition, risks, results of this method of STD prevention and birth control.
Natural family planning
- Withdrawal method (coitus interruptus) Withdrawal method — Overview covers definition, risks and instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Rhythm method for natural family planning Rhythm method — Overview covers definition, steps for tracking menstrual history for fertility or contraception.
- Basal body temperature for natural family planning Basal body temperature — Overview covers definition, steps for tracking basal temperature for fertility or contraception.
- Cervical mucus method for natural family planning Cervical mucus method — Overview covers definition, steps for tracking cervical mucus for fertility or contraception.
Sterilization
- Vasectomy: An effective form of male birth control Vasectomy — Overview covers definition, side effects, results of this male birth control procedure.
- Vasectomy reversal: Surgery to undo a vasectomy Vasectomy reversal — Overview covers definition, risks, results of this procedure to restore fertility.
- Adiana Adiana — Overview covers definition, risks, what to expect during this type of female sterilization.
- Tubal ligation reversal Tubal ligation reversal — Overview covers definition, risks, process for reversing female sterilization.
- Essure Essure — Overview covers definition, risks, what to expect during this type of female sterilization.
- Tubal ligation Tubal ligation — Overview covers definition, risks, what to expect during this type of female sterilization.
Emergency contraception
- Morning-after pill Morning-after pill — Overview covers risks, instructions for using this type of emergency birth control.
- ParaGard (copper IUD) ParaGard (copper IUD) — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.


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