Choosing your Birth Control Method
The "best" method of birth control (BC) is the one that best suits your life and needs. Use the information below to determin a method that is right for you.
Keep in mind that as your birth control needs change, the "best" method for you may change as well!
Non-hormonal IUD (Copper IUD)
| Description | A small, T-shaped device made out of copper and plastic that is inserted into your uterus. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Great |
| Hormones | Non-hormonal method |
| How to Use | Inserted by a healthcare provider. Lasts up to 10 years. Can be removed by a provider at any point. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could result in heavier, longer, and/or more frequent periods. May increase cramps and irregular spotting. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | Yes |
| Things to Consider | Involves a minor insertion and removal procedure which can be painful. IUD is inserted into your uterus. |
Hormonal IUD
| Description | A small, t-shaped device made out of plastic that is inserted into your uterus and releases hormones. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Great |
| Hormones | Progestin |
| How to Use | Inserted by a healthcare provider. Lasts 3-5 years. Can be removed by a provider at any point. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could result in lighter but less predictable periods, no periods at all, or unscheduled spotting/bleeding. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | Yes |
| Things to Consider | Involves a minor insertion and removal procedure which can be painful. IUD is inserted into your uterus. |
Implant
| Description | A matchstick-sized rod that gets inserted into your upper arm and releases hormones. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Great |
| Hormones | Progestin |
| How to Use | Inserted by a healthcare provider. Lasts up to 3 years. Can be removed by a provider at any point. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could result in irregular spotting/bleeding or longer, heavier periods. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | Yes |
| Things to Consider | Involves a minor insertion and removal procedure which can be painful. Implant is inserted into the inside of your upper arm. |
Shot
| Description | A hormonal shot that is administered by a provider every 3 months. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Good |
| Hormones | Progestin |
| How to Use | A healthcare provider administers a shot every 3 months. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could result in lighter, less frequent periods. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | Yes |
| Things to Consider | May cause weight gain. |
Ring
| Description | A flexible ring that you insert into your vagina that releases hormones. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Good |
| Hormones | Estrogen and Progestin |
| How to Use | Insert a new ring once a month. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could result in lighter, shorter, and predictable periods. Can reduce menstrual cramps. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | Yes |
| Things to Consider | Can help acne. |
Patch
| Description | A small adhesive patch that you place on your skin that releases hormones. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Good |
| Hormones | Estrogen and Progestin |
| How to Use | Replace the patch every week. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could result in lighter, shorter, predictable, and less painful periods. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | No |
| Things to Consider | Can help acne. |
Combination Pill
| Description | A hormonal pill that you take once a day with a select number of placebo pills (number of placebo pills varies by prescription). |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Good |
| Hormones | Estrogen and Progestin |
| How to Use | Take the pill at the same time every day. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could result in lighter, shorter, predictable, and less painful periods. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | No |
| Things to Consider | Can help acne and can be used to safely skip period altogether. |
Progestin-Only Pill
| Description | A hormonal pill that is taken once a day. No placebo pills. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Good |
| Hormones | Progestin |
| How to Use | Take the pill at the same time every day. Effectiveness significantly compromised if taken at different times. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could result in lighter, shorter, and predictable periods. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | No |
| Things to Consider | Recommended to take calcium in addition to the pill. |
Emergency Contraception: ella®
| Description | An emergency contraception pill that can be taken up to 5 days post-unprotected sex. See a provider to get a prescription. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Adequate |
| Hormones | N/A (Progestin modulator) |
| How to Use | Use after having unprotected sex if not consistently using another hormonal option. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could cause irregular bleeding. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | N/A |
| Things to Consider | Requires a prescription. Can only be used once in a menstrual cycle. Not as effective as methods that can be used before or during sex. |
Emergency Contraception: Plan B
| Description | An emergency contraception pill that can be taken within 3–5 days post-unprotected sex. No prescription necessary. |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Adequate |
| Hormones | Progestin |
| How to Use | Use after having unprotected sex if not consistently using another hormonal option. |
| Menstrual Changes | Could cause irregular bleeding. |
| STI Prevention | No |
| Easy to Hide | N/A |
| Things to Consider | Effectiveness decreases with time. More than one use in a menstrual cycle may cause changes to your cycle. Not as effective as methods that can be used before or during sex. Available at campus shops. |