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Birth control (contraception) is any method, medicine, or device used to prevent pregnancy. Women can choose from many different types of birth control.

Breadcrumb Home A-Z health topics Birth control methods Birth control methods fact sheet (PDF, 136 KB) Find a Health Center Location Enter a city, ZIP code (such as 20002), address, state, or place SubscribeTo receive email updates Email Submit Birth control methods Birth control (contraception) is any method, medicine, or device used to prevent pregnancy. Women can choose from many different types of birth control. Some work better than others at preventing pregnancy. The type of birth control you use depends on your health, your desire to have children now or in the future, and your need to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Your doctor can help you decide which type is best for you right now. What is the best method of birth control? There is no "best" method of birth control for every woman. The birth control method that is right for you and your partner depends on many things, and may change over time.Before choosing a birth control method, talk to your doctor or nurse about:Whether you want to get pregnant soon, in a few years, or neverHow well each method works to prevent pregnancyPossible side effectsHow often you have sexThe number of sex partners you haveYour overall healthHow comfortable you are with using the method (For example, can you remember to take a pill every day? Will you have to ask your partner to put on a condom each time?)Learn about types of birth control that you or your partner can use to prevent pregnancy.Keep in mind that even the most effective birth control methods can fail. But your chances of getting pregnant are lower if you use a more effective method. What are the different types of birth control? Women can choose from many different types of birth control methods. These include, in order of most effective to least effective at preventing pregnancy:Female and male sterilization (female tubal ligation or occlusion, male vasectomy) — Birth control that prevents pregnancy for the rest of your life through surgery or a medical procedure.Long-acting reversible contraceptives or "LARC" methods (intrauterine devices, hormonal implants) — Birth control your doctor inserts one time and you do not have to remember to use birth control every day or month. LARCs last for 3 to 10 years, depending on the method.Short-acting hormonal methods (pill, mini pills, patch, shot, vaginal ring) — Birth control your doctor prescribes that you remember to take every day or month. The shot requires you to get a shot from your doctor every 3 months.Barrier methods (condoms, diaphragms, sponge, cervical cap) — Birth control you use each time you have sex.Natural rhythm methods — Not using a type of birth control but instead avoiding sex and/or using birth control only on the days when you are most fertile (most likely to get pregnant). An ovulation home test kit or a fertility monitor can help you find your most fertile days. How can I compare the different types of birth control? Types of birth controlMethodNumber of pregnancies per 100 women within their first year of typical use1Side effects and risks**These are not all of the possible side effects and risks. Talk to your doctor or nurse for more information.How often you have to take or useAbstinence (no sexual contact)Unknown(0 for perfect use)No medical side effectsNo action required, but it does take willpower. You may want to have a back-up birth control method, such as condoms.Permanent sterilization surgery for women (tubal ligation, "getting your tubes tied")Less than 1Possible pain during recovery (up to 2 weeks)Bleeding or other complications from surgeryLess common risk includes ectopic (tubal) pregnancyNo action required after surgeryPermanent sterilization implant for women (Essure®)The Essure® birth control device will no longer be sold or distributed in the United States after December 31, 2018.Less than 1Pain during the insertion of Essure; some pain during recoveryCramping, vaginal bleeding, back pain during recoveryImplant may move out of placeLess common but serious risk includes ectopic (tubal) pregnancyNo action required after surgeryPermanent sterilization surgery for men (vasectomy)Less than 1Pain during recoveryComplications from surgeryNo action required after surgeryImplantable rod (Implanon®, Nexplanon®)Less than 1HeadacheIrregular periodsWeight gainSore breastsLess common risk includes difficulty in removing the implantNo action required for up to 3 years before removing or replacingCopper intrauterine device (IUD) (ParaGard®)Less than 1Cramps for a few days after insertionMissed periods, bleeding between periods, heavier periodsLess common but serious risks include pelvic inflammatory disease and the IUD being expelled from the uterus or going through the wall of the uterus.No action required for up to 10 years before removing or replacingHormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) (Liletta, Mirena®, and Skyla®)Less than 1Irregular periods, lighter or missed periodsOvarian cystsLess common but serious risks include pe...

Birth control methods | Office on Women's Health