Family Planning Methods
| Forms | Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|---|
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abstinence |
100% effective. That means NO pregnancy 100% safe No sexually transmitted infections |
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This means using a condom with spermicide AND hormonal birth control or IUD |
99% effective. That means less than 1 pregnancy in every 100 women who use this method each year Prevents sexually transmitted infections |
Can make it hard to control blood sugar They are often used incorrectly because women have to remember to use them on a certain schedule and the couple has to remember to use a condom also. Condoms sometimes break |
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Long Acting Reversible Contraception
Implant under your skin |
99% effective. That means less than 1 pregnancy in every 100 women who use this method each year Don’t need to take something daily Lasts for years May make periods lighter or stop altogether |
Needs office visit to insert and remove Does NOT protect against sexually transmitted infections Can cause spotting/bleeding between periods |
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Combination hormones
Progesterone only
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99% effective if used as directed 91% effective the way most people use them. That means about 9 pregnancies in every 100 women who use this method each year. May make periods lighter Can help with acne and extra facial and body hair |
Can make it hard to control blood sugar Does NOT protect against sexually transmitted infections Often used incorrectly because women have to remember to use them on a certain schedule. When used exactly as the doctor says, only 2 women out of 100 gets pregnant. |
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Other Birth Control Options Condom with spermicide (a fluid that kills sperm) |
98% effective if used as directed 85% effective the way most people use them. That means about 15 pregnancies in every 100 women who use this method each year Prevents sexually transmitted infections |
Condoms are often used incorrectly. If they were used correctly and did not break, only 2 women out of 100 would get pregnant. Condoms sometimes break |
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Withdrawal (when a guy pulls his penis out of the vagina before the sperm leaves his body) Fertility awareness (using a calendar to know when during the month you are most likely to get pregnant if you have sex) |
85% or less effective the way most people use them. That means about 15 or more pregnancies in every 100 women who use this method each year |
Often used incorrectly Does NOT protect against sexually transmitted infections |
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No advantages |
This is a high risk. Likely to get pregnant and sexually transmitted infections. |