CONTRACEPTION/BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

Larimer County Department of HealthFamily Planning Clinicswww.larimer.org/health

How Does Pregnancy Begin?

Conception When an woman’s egg is fertilized by a man’s

sperm. The usual way this occurs is through sexual intercourse.

Implantation When a fertilized egg implants into the lining

of the woman’s uterus. Approximately 50% of all fertilized eggs do not implant.

Missed periodNausea/morning sickness

+ pregnancy test

How does a woman know that she has become pregnant?

PregnancyHow does a woman know if

she has become pregnant?

Possible signs of pregnancy: Breast soreness Missed period Nausea (“morning

sickness”)

A positive pregnancy test (urine) will show up one or two days after a missed period.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters, each one being about 12 weeks long.

Pregnancy lasts 38-40 weeks

Pregnancy The first 12 weeks of

pregnancy are very important for the developing fetus.

During pregnancy, it is important for a pregnant woman to avoid the following:

Alcohol and drugs, including tobacco

Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications

Certain foods and activities

False! Less than ½ of high schoolstudents have had sex.

Teenagers need to know about things like birth control because most are having sex.

Unplanned Pregnancy About ½ of all pregnancies in the United

States are unplanned and occur to women of all childbearing ages (15-45 years old).

In the United States, nearly 750,000 teens become pregnant each year.

True

Becoming a parent at an early age could make it difficult for a young person to reach his or her goals.

Pregnancy and Family

Preventing an unplanned pregnancy… Allows people who want to have children in

the future time to establish a career and save money.

Allows people to complete their education without the stress a child can bring.

Research shows that when mom plans for her pregnancy, the baby is generally born healthier.

What is Contraception? Any method, device, or medication that

prevents one or both of the following processes in a woman’s body:

Conception- when a female’s egg is fertilized by a male’s

sperm.

OR

Implantation-when the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus.

False

A teenager must have their parent’s permission to get condoms, the pill, or a pregnancy test.

What Does Not Work to Prevent Pregnancy?

Rinsing out the vagina after intercourse (douching)

Plastic wrap instead of a condom Urinating after intercourse

Having sex in a particular position Withdrawing (“pulling out”) before

ejaculation

Why use contraception? A sexually active

couple has about a 85% chance of becoming pregnant within one year without using any type of birth control.

Things for a person to consider before using contraception:

Where do I get the method?

How much will the method cost and who will pay?

How do I use the method?

How effective is the method at preventing pregnancy and STDs?

Does the method have any potential side effects that could harm me?

Categories of Contraception

Abstinence Natural Barrier Hormonal Intrauterine Devices Surgical

Abstinence

Abstinence = not engaging in sexual intercourse for a specified amount of time

Some people choose to abstain from sex until they are married or have reached their educational goals. Others choose abstinence because it is the healthiest option when it comes to protecting their sexual health and relationships.

Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy

It’s difficult for a girl to know when she is ovulating-or fertile.

There is no absolutely safe time tohave sex without the risk of

pregnancy.

How can a girl know when she is “fertile?” Is there a safe time to have sex each month?

Natural Birth Control Methods

Methods used to prevent pregnancy that do not require any sort of medical device or medication.

In order to effectively prevent pregnancy, these methods require: significant knowledge about ovulation and menstrual

cycles

Consistent personal awareness of body changes

Natural methods are NOT recommended for teens

Barrier Methods

Any method that prevents the male’s sperm from reaching the female’s egg by creating a barrier.

Barrier methods must be used consistently and correctly to help prevent pregnancy.

Male Condomover-the-counter

85%-97% effective for preventing pregnancy; a condom must be used correctly and with every act of intercourse to be effective.

Helps to prevent some sexually transmitted infections

Latex, lubricated condoms are the most effective type of condom

Condoms can fail, even with perfect use. Some people are allergic to latex.

False, only use a water basedlubricant with condoms.

Lotions and oils can ruin latex.

It’s a good idea to use some lotion with a condom to prevent it from breaking, right?

Correct Condom Usage1. Use a new condom for each act of intercourse.2. Put the condom on an erect penis before any

sexual contact occurs (either partner can put the condom on).

3. Check the condom package for air and expiration date.

4. Make sure the condom will unroll the correct way onto the erect penis.

5. Pinch the tip of the condom.6. Use proper water-based lubrication to prevent

breakage.7. Hold on to the base of the condom and

withdraw while the penis is still erect.

Female Condom over-the-counter

80-95 % effective

This is a polyurethane barrier device that is placed inside a woman’s vagina prior to intercourse.

Helps to prevent some STDs

Female condoms can be awkward, noisy, and might not be used correctly

Spermicides over-the-counter

94% effective when used with a vaginal barrier.

Spermicides come in creams, jellies, gels, foams, suppositories, and films.

Not as effective when used without another method of birth control and does not prevent STDs

Spermicides can cause irritation of the skin, and some people can be allergic to them.

Diaphragm Rx only

80%-94% effective when used with spermicide

Must be fitted by a woman’s health care provider

Covers the cervix to create a barrier between the sperm and the egg.

No protection against STDs

The Spongeover-the-counter

80%-91% effective (more effective for women who have not ever given

birth)

This is a barrier method that a woman places inside her vagina before each act of intercourse and removes after intercourse.

The sponge contains spermicides, which can be irritating for some people.

Does not protect against STDs

Hormonal Contraception ALL hormonal methods of birth control work

mainly by altering a woman’s natural hormones, so that…

Ovulation, or the release of an egg each month, is prevented

The lining of a woman’s cervix and uterus are changed to make them less friendly to sperm or to a fertilized egg

Potential Side Effects of Hormonal Contraception

Common side effects might include: Breast soreness Nausea Headache Mood changes

Potential Side Effects of Hormonal Contraception

Rare, but serious side effects of hormonal birthcontrol methods can also occur:

Blood Clots Stroke Death

Smoking while using hormonal birth control is

particularly risky.

Potential Side Effects of Hormonal Contraception

Using hormonal methods might also lead to: Clearer skin

Lighter and shorter menstrual periods

Fewer symptoms of PMS (cramps, etc.)

Reduced chance of getting certain types of cancer

The Pill Rx only

95%-99% effective

For as long as the woman does not wish to become pregnant, a pill must be taken every day, at around the same time each day (with a seven day break every 21 days to allow for a menstrual period)

No protection against STDs

Some women have trouble remembering to take their pill, making it less effective

The Patch Rx only

99% effective when used correctly The hormones are absorbed from the

patch and into the woman’s skin. Applied weekly (with a patch free week

every 3 weeks to allow for a menstrual period) for as long as the woman does not wish to become pregnant.

No protection against STDs

Some women experience irritation at the patch site and many worry it will fall off

Vaginal Ring Rx only

99% effective when used correctly

A woman must insert and remove the vaginal ring herself about once a month for as long as she does not want to become pregnant.

No protection against STDs

The Shot-Depo Provera Rx only

99% effective if used correctly

Injected into a woman’s buttock muscle about every 3 months for as long as she does not wish to become pregnant

No protection against STDs

Some women gain weight while using the shot, or have heavy periods

Contraceptive ImplantsRx Only

•Implanon is a single, flexible plastic rod that is surgically placed under the skin in the woman’s upper arm, and release hormones constantly into the body.•99% effective•Can be left in place for up to 3 years at a time.

False, she can obtain and take emergency contraception.

There is nothing a woman can do to prevent pregnancy once unprotected intercourse has happened. She’ll just have to wait and see.

•A woman can take EC within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected intercourse. It can help prevent pregnancy.

•EC works by:•Temporarily stopping ovulation OR•Preventing a fertilized egg from implanting

•EC will not end a pregnancy once a fertilized egg has implanted. If a woman takes EC, she may still become pregnant.

Emergency Contraceptive PillsRx and over-the-counter

Intrauterine Contraception Rx Only

IUC is 98-99% effective. IUC can be used long-term, but is still reversible. An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small device inserted through a woman’s vagina and into her uterus by a doctor. IUC works by creating an environment inside the uterus that is unfriendly to sperm and/or a fertilized egg.

Voluntary Surgical Sterilization

Tubal Ligation

These methods are considered permanent and generally are close to 100% effective

Vasectomy

False, a person must be 21 years old and sign a consent form.

Anyone can get surgically sterilized if he or she is sure they don’t want to have biological children.

Options for pregnancy

Continue pregnancy and parent the child.

Continue pregnancy and make an adoption plan.

End the pregnancy by having a medical procedure called an abortion.

For more information:

www.larimer.org/health

www.managingcontraception.com

The Larimer County Department of Health Family Planning Clinics