Contraception: what method is right for me?

Hormonal Contraception:

How they work: hormonal contraceptives work by preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries into the uterus (suppresses ovulation).  These hormones may also make the uterus an "unfriendly" environment  by causing thickening or cervical mucus, thereby not allowing the sperm to travel into upper reproductive tract.

• oral contraceptive pills (birth control pills)

• nuva ring ( vaginal ring)

• condoms- male and female

• ortho evra patch

• abstinence

• withdrawal (coitus interruptus)

• depo provera

• emergency contraception pill ( morning after pill)

Non-hormonal Contraceptives:

How they work: provide a barrier against sperm, or interfere with sperm movement, or create an "unfriendly" environment

• male condom

• female condom

• spermicides

Non-hormonal Barrier Methods

• diaphragm

• cervical cap

Non-hormonal Permanent Methods

• tubal ligation

• vasectomy

Abstinence

coitus interruptus (withdrawal)

Fertility Awareness-based Methods