Birth Control Detailed Descriptions
Birth Control Pills
 Birth Control Pills are taken every single day. A woman choosing this method will commit to taking ONE pill every day, at approximately the same time every single day. Pills contain two types of hormones: estrogen and progestin. In order to be eligible for Birth Control Pills, you must have a medical exam, including your medical history, internal examination and Pap test. If you choose this method of birth control, a Choices provider will give you a prescription for up to 6 months of pills; you will be required to come for a brief 6-month interval visit.
Effectiveness: 99% effective (if used correctly)
Safety: Birth Control Pills can cause minor discomforts such as breast tenderness, nausea, spotting, nervousness, and/or depression/emotional labiality. These side effects may be experienced during the first few months of taking the pill and then subside. Some women, however, find relief in changing to different brand of Pill; Choices providers will work with you to decrease any discomforts felt. More significant risks, such as stroke, blood clots, or circulatory disorders, have been reported from taking the Pill. The Pill is not right for you if you have a history of liver disease, blood clotting disorders, stroke or uncontrolled high blood pressure. Women who use hormonal birth control methods are strongly advised not to smoke, as smoking increases the risk of side effects. Choices providers will always review with you the warning signs of a serious side effect:
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Headache |
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Vision Changes/Problems |
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Chest Pain |
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Abdominal/Heartburn Pain |
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Leg Pain (in the calf) |
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Potential health benefits of taking oral contraceptive pills include a reduced risk of developing cancers of the uterus and ovaries, benign breast disease, pelvic infections, iron-deficiency anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and a variety of menstrual disorders. The Pill does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Personality: Effectiveness is very important to you. You like to be spontaneous and to be in control of every situation. You have no problems remembering to take medication. You are a mature individual. With the Pill, you get a monthly menstrual period.
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Nuva Ring
 The Nuva Ring is a soft, flexible, transparent ring containing hormones (estrogen and progestin) and is inserted into the vagina once a month. It operates like other hormonal methods (see Birth Control Pills or The Patch) where you will get a monthly menstrual period. To insert the ring for use, it is pressed together between two fingers and inserted into the vagina (to fit around the cervix). The ring is worn for three complete weeks, and then discarded. Following a complete ring-free week, a fresh ring is then vaginally inserted. In order to be eligible for the Nuva Ring, you must have a medical exam, including your medical history, internal examination and Pap test.
Effectiveness: 99% effective (if used correctly)
Safety: The Nuva Ring has risks and side effects similar to other hormonal methods. The Ring does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Personality: You are comfortable with touching yourself in the vaginal area. You are a non-smoker. The possible side effects associated with hormonal methods do not bother you. You can remember to insert the ring and remove it as required. What you look for is spontaneity and a method that is dealt with less frequently than other hormonal methods. With the Pill, you get a monthly menstrual period.
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Ortho Evra
 The Ortho Evra Patch is a small, thin, square "bandaid-like" patch containing hormones (estrogen and progestin) that is worn on the body. It operates like other hormonal methods (see Birth Control Pills or the Ring) where you will get a monthly menstrual period. To use the Patch, you apply one patch on the body and wear it for a full week. That patch is then removed and a new one is applied; this is done for 3 consecutive weeks, then you will have a week without wearing a patch. Following a complete patch-free week, a new one is applied to begin another 3 weeks of wearing. In order to be eligible for the Ortho Evra patch, you must have a medical exam, including your medical history, internal examination and Pap test.
Effectiveness: 99% effective (if used correctly)
Safety: Ortho Evra has risks and side effects similar to other hormonal methods. The Patch does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Personality: You are a non-smoker. The possible side effects associated with hormonal methods do not bother you. You can remember to replace the patch weekly. What you look for is spontaneity and a hormonal method that is dealt with less frequently than the Pill. With the Pill, you get a monthly menstrual period.
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Depo Provera
 Depo Provera is a hormonal injection shot that is administered by a healthcare professional every 12-13 weeks (approximately three months). Depo is a hormonal contraceptive method; though unlike pills, the ring or the patch, it only contains one of the hormones (progestin) and is therefore is okay for use in women who cannot take estrogen.
Effectiveness: 99% effective (if used correctly)
Safety: Has possible side effects similar to other hormonal methods. For the first 6 months to a year of use, many women experience irregular menstrual spotting and/or bleeding. Eventually, your menstrual flow may be reduced and for some women may stop entirely. Other possible effects to the injection include weight gain and loss of bone calcium. Depo does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Personality: Injections do not bother you. You can remember to return regularly for your shot. The risk of side effects does not bother you, including possible spotting, irregular bleeding, or not getting a monthly menstrual period. You are looking for a birth control method that does not have to be dealt with as frequently as other hormonal methods.
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Paragard IUD
 The Paragard IUD is a device inserted into the uterus and can be worn for up to 10 years. A woman choosing this method wants long-term birth control; yet if that changes and pregnancy is desired, the IUD can be removed at any time before the 10 year limit. The IUD is inserted by a healthcare professional during a woman's menstrual period. Most women experience little or no pain/discomfort during the insertion process. In order to be eligible for an IUD, you must have a medical exam, including your medical history, internal examination, Pap test and cervical/vaginal cultures.
Effectiveness: 99% effective
Safety: Paragard in non-hormonal and therefore, does not have any hormone-related side effects. The first several menstrual periods a woman has with an IUD inserted may be heavier and cramping may be experienced. The risks of an IUD include expulsion (the IUD falls out of the uterus) or perforation (the IUD punctures the uterine muscle). IUDs' also carry a small risk of Ectopic pregnancy, PID, bleeding between periods, uterine cramping and unwanted pregnancy. The Paragard IUD does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Personality: You desire a long-term method of contraception. You are in a monogamous (one-to-one) relationship with your partner. You have never had an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy nor have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. You do not want a hormonal form of contraception. You enjoy spontaneity and, therefore, are looking for a birth control method that you do not have to think about.
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Mirena IUD
 The Mirena IUD is a device inserted into the uterus and can be worn for up to 5 years. Unlike the Paragard IUD, Mirena contains hormones (progestin). A woman choosing this method wants long-term birth control; yet if that changes and pregnancy is desired, the IUD can be removed at any time before the 5 year limit. The IUD is inserted by a healthcare professional during a woman's menstrual period. In order to be eligible for an IUD, you must have a medical exam, including your medical history, internal examination, Pap test and cervical/vaginal cultures.
Effectiveness: 99% effective
Safety: The first several menstrual periods a woman has with an IUD inserted may be heavier and cramping may be experienced; however, because of the hormone in the Mirena IUD, over time (approximately 9-12 months) a woman's menstrual periods will lighten considerably and may even stop. IUDs carry a small risk of Ectopic pregnancy, PID, bleeding between periods, uterine cramping and unwanted pregnancy. Mirena's risks also include ovarian cysts, deep vein thrombosis and decrease/loss of menstrual flow. The risks of an IUD include expulsion (the IUD falls out of the uterus) or perforation (the IUD punctures the uterine muscle). The IUD does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Personality: You desire a long-term method of contraception. You are in a monogamous (one-to-one) relationship with your partner. You have never had an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy nor have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. You are able to use a hormonal form of contraception. You enjoy spontaneity and, therefore, are looking for a birth control method that you do not have to think about.
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The Diaphragm
 The Diaphragm is a cervical barrier method of contraception. It is a dome-shaped device made of latex that is fit into the vagina to provide a snug seal so that sperm cannot enter the cervix. It is used with a spermicidal jelly or cream to add additional barrier protection. The Diaphragm is fitted for your vagina by a healthcare professional. The Diaphragm is a "use-based" type of birth control; you insert it into the vagina for each occasion of intercourse; it is left in the vagina for 6-8 hours following the last time your partner ejaculates (comes) and then it is removed.
Effectiveness: 86% effective (if used correctly)
Safety: Neither you nor your partner are allergic to latex nor the spermicidal cream or jelly used. If the Diaphragm is left in place for too long, risks of urinary tract infections and toxic shock syndrome may increase. The Diaphragm is used for every act of intercourse and therefore, must be inserted correctly for contraceptive protection. The Diaphragm offers very limited protection against some sexually transmitted diseases; however, cannot be relied on for full protection from HIV or other STDs.
Personality: You are comfortable touching yourself in the vaginal area. You do not want a hormonal form of birth control. You do not mind being required to insert the Diaphragm for each occasion of intercourse. You plan to ask your doctor for a prescription for emergency contraception (the "day after" pill), and are comfortable with abortion as a backup in case you become pregnant. You are a mature individual.
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Emergency Contraception
 Emergency Contraception is the most frequently used method to prevent pregnancy immediately after unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptive pills deliver a specific dose of hormones that is 75% effective in preventing pregnancy IF TAKEN WITHIN 3 DAYS of unprotected sex. Emergency Contraception is not effective in preventing pregnancy more than 3 days after unprotected sex. If more than 3 days has elapsed, you can discuss other options with our staff.
Effectiveness: 75% effective IF TAKEN WITHIN 3 DAYS (72 hours)
Safety: Many women who use emergency contraceptive pills feel nausea and may vomit. Some also feel dizzy or tired and have breast tenderness. These side effects are not serious and usually last for about a day. No serious or long-term complications have been linked to Emergency Contraception pills. If you do not have a period within 21 days of taking emergency contraceptive pills, you should consult our staff for further pregnancy testing. Emergency Contraception does not protect you against HIV/ AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
Personality: A mistake has occurred and you do not want to chance a possible pregnancy. Emergency contraceptive pills are meant for emergency protection, and are not used for preventing pregnancy in the long term as a method of birth control. When you visit your physician for Emergency Contraception, you can discuss other options for long-term birth control.
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| At CHOICES, we emphasize our philosophy of Patient Power, which means being an
informed consumer of medical treatment with the knowledge and information that enables each individual to make appropriate decisions about medical care, whether in the area of general health, surgery or birth control.
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