You might be ready to have sex, but not everyone is ready to start a family. Whether you're a part of a couple or someone sexually promiscuous, there's always a need for birth control. Every woman who has vaginal intercourse is at risk of becoming pregnant. Please note that this section is not to be taken as a medical advice. It's simply compiled research of authoritative information of a general nature. For medical advice, please see your doctor.
There are many forms of birth control on the market today. A few are over-the-counter protection and many are doctor prescribed. College clinics and planned parenting are places you and go to if you don't have a regular doctor. Contraceptives can be divided into 5 groups: Natural methods (abstinence, periodic abstinence, withdrawal), Spermicides (foams, creams, jellies, suppositories, vaginal contraceptive file), Barrier methods (condom, female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, contraceptive sponge), Hormonal methods (birth control pills, Norplant, Dep-Provera, minipills), and other methods (IUDs, sterilization). Remember that no contraceptive is perfect. Each method listed has its advantages and disadvantages. You and your partner and consider each and select what works best for you.
Below is a chart of several different forms of birth control available today. Some by prescription and others are available over-the-counter. There's likely more out there, but we hope these will be useful to you.
Natural Methods
Type |
Cost |
Effectiveness |
| Abstinence | Free | 0% for perfect user |
| Outercourse | Free | almost 0% for perfect user. |
| Continuous Breast-feeding — LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method) | Free | 2% for perfect user (6 months only) |
| Periodic Abstinence | Free aside from BBT (basal body temperature) thermometer | typical user: 20% perfect user: 2% |
| Coitus Interrupts (Withdrawal) | Free | typical user: 18% perfect user: 4% |
Spermicides
Type |
Cost |
Effectiveness |
| Foam, Jelly or Cream, Suppository, Film (VCF) | 35 cents for single suppository to $12 for full container of foam | used alone: 21%, perfect user: 6%, perfect user with condom: 0.01% |
Barrier Methods
Type |
Cost |
Effectiveness |
| Condom | average price is 50 cents each, free in some clinics and schools | typical user: 12% perfect user: 3% |
| Female Condom | approximately $2.50 each or lower | typical user: 21% perfect user: 5% |
| Diaphragm | diaphragm: $22, 1st visit: $50-$150, some clinics $10 | typical user: 18% perfect user: 6% |
| Cervical Cap | similar to diaphragm | women w/o kids: 18%, with kids: 36%, perfect users: 9% and 26% respectively |
| Contraceptive Sponge | $1.25-$1.50 each | women w/o kids: 18%, with kids: 36%, perfect users: 9% and 20% respectively |
Barrier Methods
Method |
Cost |
Effectiveness |
| Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives) | $15-$25 per cycle, family planning clinics: $3-$10 | typical user: 3% perfect user: 0.1% |
| Progestin-Only Pills | $100-$300 per year, lower at public health clinics | typical user: 3% perfect user: 0.5% |
| Norplant (Discontinued) |
insertion: $500-$700 for 5 years, removal: $100-$1200 | typical user: 0.09% perfect user: 0.09%, cumulative 5 year: 1.6% |
| Depo-Provera | $140 a year @ 35 quarterly shots | typical user: 0.3% perfect user: 0.3% |
| The Patch (Orthovera®) | $30-$35/month supply of patches. $35-$125/exam. without insurance |
typical user: 5% perfect user: 0.6% |
| The Ring (NuvaRing®) | $30-$35/month supply of rings. $35-$125/exam without insurance |
typical user: 5% perfect user: 0.6% |
Other Methods
Method |
Cost |
Effectiveness |
| IUDs | $150-$300 at a public family planning clinic | 0.8%, cumulative 7-year failure rate: 1.7% |
| Sterilization | varies on male and female (see your doctor) | almost 0% failure rate |