The following contains a brief explanation of various forms of contraceptives available for use in this country. Should you have any specific questions, please call our office for an appointment to review in further detail which contraceptive choice would be right for you.
Listed are a brief description of the device with risks and benefits. Also included is information about the failure rate of each method. This rate represents the number of pregnancies that occur when 100 women use the method for a full year.
Click on subject below to see more detailed information.
Male Condom, Latex / Polyurethane
Description: A sheath placed over the erect
penis blocking the passage of sperm.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 11
Some Risks: Irritation and allergic reactions
(less likely with polyurethane)
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Except
for abstinence, latex condoms are the best protection against
STDs, including gonorrhea and AIDS.
Convenience: Applied immediately before intercourse;
used only once and discarded. Polyurethane condoms are available
for those with latex sensitivity.
Female Condom
Received FDA approval in 1993
Description: A lubricated polyurethane sheath
shaped similarly to the male condom. The closed end has a flexible
ring that is inserted into the vagina.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 21
Some Risks: Irritation and allergic reactions
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): May
give some STD protection; not as effective as latex condom
Convenience: Applied immediately before intercourse;
used only once and discarded.
Diaphragm with Spermicide
Description: A dome-shaped rubber
disk with a flexible rim that covers the cervix so that sperm
cannot reach the uterus. A spermicide is applied to the diaphragm
before insertion.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 17
Some Risks: Irritation and allergic reactions,
urinary tract infection. Risk of toxic shock syndrome, a
rare but serious infection, when kept in place longer than recommended.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Inserted before intercourse and
left in place at least six hours after; can be left in place
for 24 hours, with additional spermicide for repeated intercourse.
Availability: Prescription
Cervical Cap with Spermicide
Received FDA approval in 1988
Description: A soft rubber cup with a round
rim, which fits snugly around the cervix.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): Prentiff Cap–17; FemCap–23
Some Risks: Irritation and allergic reactions,
abnormal Pap test. Risk of toxic shock syndrome, a rare
but serious infection, when kept in place longer than recommended.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: May be difficult to insert; can
remain in place for 48 hours without reapplying spermicide for
repeated intercourse.
Availability: Prescription
Sponge with Spermicide
Received FDA approval in 1983
Description: A disk-shaped polyurethane device
containing the spermicide nonoxynol-9.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 14-28
Some Risks: Irritation and allergic reactions,
difficulty in removal. Risk of toxic shock syndrome, a rare
but serious infection, when kept in place longer than recommended.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Inserted before intercourse and
protects for repeated acts of intercourse for 24 hours without
additional spermicide; must be left in place for at least six
hours after intercourse; must be removed within 30 hours of insertion.
Is discarded after use.
Availability: Nonprescription; not currently
marketed
Spermicide Alone
Description: A foam, cream, jelly, film, suppository,
or tablet that contains nonoxynol-9, a sperm-killing chemical
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 20-50 (studies have shown varying effectiveness
rates)
Some Risks: Irritation and allergic reactions,
urinary tract infections
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Instructions vary; check labeling.
Inserted between 5 and 90 minutes before intercourse and usually
left in place at least six to eight hours after.
Availability: Nonprescription
Oral Contraceptives –combined pill
Received FDA approval in 1960; most recently in 2003
Description: A pill that suppresses ovulation
by the combined actions of the hormones estrogen and progestin.
A chewable form was approved in November 2003.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 1-2
Some Risks: Dizziness; nausea; changes in menstruation,
mood, and weight; rarely, cardiovascular disease, including high
blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, and strokes
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Must be taken on daily schedule, regardless of frequency
of intercourse. Women using the chewable tablet must drink 8
oz. of liquid immediately after taking.
Availability: Prescription
Oral Contraceptives –progestin-only minipill
Received FDA approval in 1973
Description: A pill containing only the hormone
progestin that reduces and thickens cervical mucus to prevent
the sperm from reaching the egg.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 2
Some Risks: Irregular bleeding, weight gain,
breast tenderness, less protection against ectopic pregnancy
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Must be taken on daily schedule,
regardless of frequency of intercourse.
Availability: Prescription
Oral Contraveptives—91-day regimen (Seasonale)
Received FDA approval in 2003
Description: A pill containing estrogen and
progestin, taken in 3-month cycles of 12 weeks of active pills
followed by one week of inactive pills. Menstrual periods occur
during the 13th week of the cycle.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 1-2
Some Risks: Similar to oral contraceptives–combined
pill
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Must be taken on daily schedule,
regardless of frequency of intercourse. Since users will have
fewer periods, they should consider the possibility that they
might be pregnant if they miss scheduled periods. May have more
unplanned bleeding and spotting between periods than with 28-day
oral contraceptives.
Availability: Prescription
Patch (Ortho-Evra)
Received FDA approval in 2001
Description: Skin patch worn on the lower abdomen,
buttocks, or upper body that releases the hormones progestin
and estrogen into the bloodstream.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 1-2 (Appears to be less effective in
women weighing more than 198 pounds.)
Some Risks: Similar to oral contraceptives–combined
pill
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: New patch is applied once a week
for three weeks. Patch is not worn during the fourth week, and
woman has a menstrual period.
Availability: Prescription
Vaginal Contraveptive Ring (Nuvaring)
FDA Approval Date: 2001
Description: A flexible ring about 2 inches
in diameter that is inserted into the vagina and releases the
hormones progestin and estrogen.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 1-2
Some Risks: Vaginal discharge, vaginitis, irritation.
Similar to oral contraceptives–combined pill
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Inserted by the woman; remains
in the vagina for 3 weeks, then is removed for 1 week. If ring
is expelled and remains out for more than 3 hours, another birth
control method must be used until ring has been used continuously
for 7 days.
Availability: Prescription
Injection (Depo-Provera)
FDA Approval Date: 1992
Description: An injectable progestin that inhibits
ovulation, prevents sperm from reaching the egg, and prevents
the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): less than 1
Some Risks (serious medical risks from contraceptives
are rare): Irregular bleeding, weight gain, breast tenderness,
headaches
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: One injection every three months.
Availability: Prescription
Injection (Lunelle)
FDA Approval Date: 2000
Description: An injectable form of progestin
and estrogen
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): less than 1
Some Risks: Changes in menstrual cycle, weight
gain. Similar to oral contraceptives–combined.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Injection given once a month.
Availability: Prescription
IUD (Intrauterine Device)
FDA Approval Date: 1976
Description: A T-shaped device inserted into
the uterus by a health professional.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): less than 1
Some Risks: Cramps, bleeding, pelvic inflammatory
disease, infertility, perforation of uterus
***Important
information regarding Mirena IUDs (pdf)
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: After insertion by physician, can
remain in place for up to one or 10 years, depending on type
(Up to 5 years for Mirena and 10 years for Paraguard).
Availability: Office Procedure
Periodic Abstinence
Description: To deliberately refrain from having
sexual intercourse during times when pregnancy is more likely.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): 20
Some Risks: None
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Requires frequent monitoring of
body functions (for example, body temperature for one method).
Availability: Instructions from health-care
provider
Laparoscopic Tubal Sterilization
Description: The woman’s fallopian tubes
are blocked so the egg and sperm can’t meet in the fallopian
tube, preventing conception.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): less than 1
Some Risks: Pain, bleeding, infection, other
post-surgical complications, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: One-time surgical procedure that
requires an abdominal incision.
Availability: Surgery
Sterilization Implant (Essure System)
FDA Approval Date: 2002
Description: Small metallic implant that is
placed into the fallopian tubes. The device works by causing
scar tissue to form, blocking the fallopian tubes and preventing
conception.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): less than 1
Some Risks: Mild to moderate pain after insertion,
ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: Minor surgical procedure, permanent
sterilization. Device is inserted through the vagina using a
catheter. Women must rely on another birth control method during
the first three months, until placement is confirmed with an
X-ray procedure.
Availability: Office Procedure
Male Vasectomy
Description: Sealing, tying, or cutting a man’s
vas deferens so that the sperm can’t travel from the testicles
to the penis.
Failure Rate (number of pregnancies expected
per 100 women per year): less than 1
Some Risks (serious medical risks from contraceptives
are rare): Pain, bleeding, infection, other minor postsurgical
complications
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): None
Convenience: One-time surgical procedure.
Availability: Office Procedure
