|
Type |
Estimated
Effectiveness |
Risks |
STD
Protection |
Convenience |
Availability |
|
Male Condom |
About 85% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reactions |
Latex condoms help protect against sexually transmitted diseases,
including herpes and AIDS |
Applied immediately before intercourse |
Non-prescription |
|
Female Condom |
An estimated 74-79% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reactions |
May give some protection against STDs, including herpes and AIDS;
not as effective as male condom |
Applied immediately before intercourse; used only once and discarded |
Non-prescription |
|
Spermicides used alone |
70-80% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reaction |
Unknown |
Applied no more than 1 hour before intercourse |
Non-prescription |
|
Contraceptive Sponge |
72-82% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reactions; difficulty in removal;
vary rarely, toxic shock syndrome |
None |
Can be inserted hours before intercourse and left in place up
to 24 hours; used only once and discarded |
Non-prescription |
|
Diaphragm with Spermicide |
82-94% |
Rarely, irritation and allergic reactions; bladder infection;
very rarely, toxic shock syndrome |
None |
Inserted before intercourse; can be left in place 24 hours;
additional spermicide must be inserted if intercourse is repeated |
Prescription |
|
Cervical Cap with Spermicide |
At least 82% |
Abnormal Pap test; genital infections; very rarely, toxic
shock syndrome |
None |
Can remain in place for 48 hours; not necessary to reapply
spermicide if intercourse repeated; may be difficult to insert |
Prescription |
|
Oral Contraceptives (Combination Pill & Mini-pill) |
97-99% |
Blood clots, heart attacks and strokes, gallbladder disease,
liver tumors, water retention, hypertension, mood swings, dizziness and nausea,
not for smokers |
None |
Pill must be taken on daily schedule regardless of the frequency
of intercourse |
Prescription |
|
Implant (Norplant) |
99% |
Menstrual cycle irregularity; headaches, nervousness, depression,
nausea, dizziness, change of appetite, breast tenderness, weight gain, enlargement
of ovaries and/or fallopian tubes, excessive growth of body and facial hair; may
subside after 1st year |
None |
Effective 24 hours after implantation for approximately 5 years;
can be removed by health care provider at any time |
Prescription; minor out patient surgical procedure |
|
Injection (Depo-Provera) |
99% |
Amenorrhea, weight gain, and other side effects similar to those
with Norplant |
None |
One injection every 3 months |
Prescription |
|
Intrauterine Device (IUD) |
95-96% |
Cramps, bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility; rarely,
perforation of the uterus |
None |
After insertion, stays in place until health care provider removes it |
Prescription |
|
Periodic Abstinence (Natural Family Planning) |
Very variable, perhaps 53-86% |
None |
None |
Requires frequent monitoring of body functions and periods of
abstinence |
Instructions from health care provider or clinic |
|
Surgical Sterilization |
Over 99% |
Pain, infection, and for female tubal ligation, possible
complications |
None |
Vasectomy is a one-time procedure usually performed in a
doctor's office; tubal ligation is a one-time procedure performed in an operating
room |
Surgery |
MoonDragon's Conception Information
