WSR

Types of Birth Control

Contraceptives include primary and secondary forms. Although both decrease the possibility of pregnancy,
primary forms have a lower chance of failure. Other forms are also available, but are less reliable than primary or secondary types.

Primary forms include:

Female tubal sterilization ("tube tying")
Male vasectomy
Intrauterine device
Hormonal birth control

 - combination birth control pills
 - skin patches
 - shots
 - under-the-skin implants
 - vaginal ring

 

Secondary forms include:

Barrier forms (to be used with spermicide)

 - diaphragm
 - cervical cap

Barrier form (may be used with or without spermicide)

 - male latex condom

Others

 - vaginal sponge (contains spermicide)

 

Female condoms
Cervical shield
Natural family planning (mucus method or the symptothermal method)

  - Mucus method: checking cervical mucus consistency to ascertain fertility
  - Symptothermal method: checking daily temperature to ascertain fertility
  - Effectiveness requires (a) training from a natural family planning specialist and (b) strict adherence to method

  - Even if one's partner withdraws before ejaculation, sperm may leak during intercourse and result in pregnancy.

 

For further information, please visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/WomensRH/index.htm

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation_and_the_menstrual_cycle.cfm.

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/reproductive_health.cfm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthcontrol.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/reproductivehealth.html

http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/

http://www.who.int/topics/reproductive_health/en/