Birth Control Chart (Page 2 of 5) in pdf

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills are the most common method of hormonal birth control. The hormones work in different ways by:

a) blocking the sperm from entering the cervix; b) preventing a female from ovulating; or c) making it difficult for an

embryo to attach to the lining of the uterus (called implantation). Each kind of birth control pill works in one or more

of these ways, depending on the kind of hormones it contains. The pill works only if it is taken correctly. It works

best when it is taken at the same time every day. If pills are skipped they do not give as much protection against

pregnancy; they might offer no protection.

Birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Side effects may include nausea, weight gain (with higher dose pills), bleeding between periods, and headaches.

Birth control pills must be prescribed by a health care professional. They may decrease the risk of some health

conditions, like menstrual cramps, acne, ectopic pregnancy, anemia and cancer of the ovaries. Some females

with certain medical conditions should not take birth control pills at all. They may, however, still use other methods

of birth control.

Injection

This type of birth control is a hormone injection given every 1-3 months. The shot is given in the arm or buttocks

by a health care professional. The injection works to prevent pregnancy by releasing hormones that work in one

or more of the ways discussed in the beginning of this section. The most common contraceptive injection is

known as Depo-Provera.

A hormone injection does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Side effects may include irregular bleeding between periods, or no periods at all, weight gain, and headaches. A

side effect that may occur especially in teenagers is the loss of calcium stored in the bones, and this may not

completely return once the injection is stopped. A rare side effect is depression. A health care professional must

give the injection.

Emergency Contraception

The most common type of emergency contraception is birth control pills. High dose birth control pills are taken

within 72 hours (3 days) of sex. These pills work in different ways. They may prevent females from releasing eggs

(ovulation); may stop the sperm from entering the cervix, or may stop an embryo from attaching to the lining of the

uterus. Emergency contraception is more effective the earlier it is used, and will not stop a pregnancy that has

already begun (fertilization and successful implantation). The most common emergency contraception pill is

known as Plan B (also referred to as the "morning after pill").

Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, bloating, and headaches.

Emergency contraception is usually prescribed by a health care professional. In some states, a female older than

18 years can get emergency contraception without a prescription, by going directly to a pharmacy. Females

younger than 18 years still need a health care professional's prescription. Emergency contraception is not

recommended as a regular way of preventing pregnancy.

Intra-uterine Device (IUD)

The IUD is a small, T-shaped, plastic device, put inside the uterus by a trained health care professional. It may

contain copper or hormones. The hormonal IUD prevents pregnancy in one or more of the ways hormonal birth

Birth Control Chart Page 2