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Birth Control Patch
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The weekly transdermal patch prevents pregnancy by delivering
continuous levels of hormones through the skin and into the bloodstream,
preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries. The Patch, which must be
prescribed by a healthcare professional, is applied once a week for 3 consecutive
weeks; the fourth week is "patch-free." |
The Patch is 99% effective when used correctly. |
Find out more about ORTHO EVRA, the only
weekly birth control patch. |
| Birth Control Pill
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The birth control pill is a small tablet taken orally for
either 21 or 28 days or continuously. It releases synthetic hormones that
enter the bloodstream, preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries.
It also thickens the cervical mucus which helps to block sperm from entering
the uterus and fertilizing an egg. A physician or other healthcare professional
must prescribe oral contraceptives. |
The Pill is more than 99% effective when used consistently
and correctly. |
Find out more about birth control pills.
Find out about our birth control pill at:
www.orthotri-cyclenlo.com.
Find out about our birth control pill that is safe for breast—feeding
moms at:
www.orthomicronor.com
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Diaphragm
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A diaphragm is a soft rubber, latex or silicone cup that
requires fitting by a physician or other healthcare professional. When it
is properly fitted and inserted it covers the cervix and is held securely
in place behind the pubic bone and the rear wall of your vagina. The diaphragm
is designed to serve 2 purposes: it stops sperm from entering your cervical
canal and it holds a spermicidal jelly or cream which kills sperm that may
manage to swim around the rim of the diaphragm. |
When used consistently and correctly in combination with
an appropriate spermicide, this method can be up to 94% effective. |
Find out more about diaphragms
Find out more about
our diaphragm product. |
Male Condom
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Available without a prescription, the male condom is a tubelike
sheath, closed at one end, that is fitted over the erect penis before penetration.
When ejaculation occurs, the semen collects inside the condom, preventing
sperm from fertilizing an egg. The condom is then removed carefully to avoid
spillage. Condoms may offer protection against HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.
Available without a prescription. |
When used consistently and correctly, a male condom can be
up to 97% effective. |
Find out more about male condoms. |
Female Condom
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Available without a prescription, a female condom is a lubricated
plastic sheath with rings on each end. It is available without a prescription.
The ring on one end is open and remains outside the vagina, covering part
of the labia. The ring on the other end is closed with plastic and looks
like a diaphragm. It's placed in the vagina so that it covers the cervix,
preventing sperm from entering the uterus. The sheath between the 2 rings
forms a pouch to line the entire vaginal area. Condoms may offer protection
against HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Available without a prescription.
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When used consistently and correctly, the female condom is
95% effective. |
Find out more about female condoms. |
Spermicides
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Spermicides are non-prescription, non-hormonal chemical foams,
creams, jellies, film or suppositories inserted into the vagina up to 15
minutes before intercourse. Spermicides kill sperm upon contact and inhibits
their movement up the vagina and into the cervix, preventing fertilization
of an egg. They can be used alone or coupled with barrier methods such as
condoms or the diaphragm. |
Spermicides are relatively inexpensive to use. With perfect
use, spermicides can be 94 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when
used alone (without a diaphragm or condom). A condom can enhance the effectiveness
of this contraceptive method. |
Find out more about spermicides. |
Implants
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Implants are a long-term reversible means of contraception.
Matchstick-sized, hormone-containing capsules made of synthetic materials
are surgically implanted in a woman's upper arm. Once in place, a small,
steady dose of the hormone, progestin, is delivered into the system. Progestin,
which is a main component of some birth control pills, prevents conception
by suppressing ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus, which helps
block sperm from entering the uterus. The capsules must be inserted and
removed every 5 years by a trained physician or other healthcare professional. |
This method is 99.9% effective. |
Find out more about implants. |
Injectables
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Like the pill and implants, contraceptive injections contain
hormones (estrogen and progestin or progestin only). A doctor or other healthcare
professional injects the contraceptive deep into the arm, thigh or buttock
at regular intervals. Injections containing both estrogen and progestin
must be administered once a month. Injections containing progestin-only
must be administered once every 3 months. Once injected, a low dose of the
hormone(s) is released into a woman's system, suppressing ovulation and
thickening the cervical mucus, which helps block sperm from entering the
uterus. |
Injections are more than 99% effective. |
Find out more about injectables. |
Intrauterine Devices (IUD)
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IUD is short for intrauterine device -- a small device placed
in the uterus by a physician or other healthcare professional. Today's IUDs
are made of soft, flexible plastic shaped like a T, the same shape as your
uterus, and are about 1 1/2 inches long with 2 strings attached. There
are 2 types of IUDs available in the United States. The shaft and parts
of the crosspiece of one are wrapped with copper; the other is filled with
a synthetic progestin. |
IUDs are 99% effective when inserted correctly. |
Find out more about IUDs. |
Natural Family Planning
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Natural family planning by periodic abstinence isn't a single method,
but a variety of methods. Each method is designed to help a couple figure
out which days during a woman's menstrual cycle she is likely to become
pregnant. At those times couples can practice birth control by avoiding
intercourse. There are 3 principal methods of family planning by periodic
abstinence:
- Basal body temperature method
- Ovulation method
- Symptothermal method
Your physician or other healthcare professional can provide you with
detailed information about these methods. |
Depending on the type of method, natural family planning
effectiveness can be as high as 90%--with consistent and reliable use. |
Find out more about Natural Family Planning. |
Sterilization
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For women, tubal sterilization (also known as "tying
the tubes") involves closing both fallopian tubes (the tubes in which
the egg is fertilized by the sperm) by tying or sealing them with a ring,
clip, or electric current, so that the eggs and sperm cannot come together.
A non-surgical sterilization alternative involves the placement of a soft,
flexible micro-insert into each fallopian tube through the woman's natural
pathways. The male version of sterilization, the vasectomy, involves cutting
and tying the vas deferens (the tubes that carry the sperm). |
Sterilization is more than 99% effective. Operations attempting
to reverse sterilization do not always work. That is why all sterilization methods are
considered to be permanent. |
Find out more about sterilization. |
Vaginal Ring
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A soft, flexible vaginal ring, which is about 2 inches
in diameter, delivers low doses of estrogen and progestin into the body.
This helps prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation and thickening the
cervical mucus, which helps block sperm from entering the uterus. The ring
is inserted into the vagina and left for 3 weeks. It is then removed for
1 week, during which a woman menstruates, and a new ring is inserted after
the 1-week "break." |
The vaginal ring is at least 98 percent effective with perfect
use, which refers to always correct and consistent use. |
Find out more about the vaginal ring here. |
