Contraceptive Choices / Education / Services
There are several methods of contraception and making the choice to use contraceptive methods can often be overwhelming. Our staff is available to educate you on the options available to help you make an informed decision. We can discuss contraception options available both at Health Services and in the local community.
Remember, no contraceptive method besides abstinence is 100% effective.
There is no fee to meet with a clinical provider to discuss your options. And a gynecological exam is not required to initiate hormonal contraception.
Contraceptive Choices
There are five categories of contraceptives available.
Hormonal Methods
Hormonal contraceptives prevent pregnancy in three ways:
- A hormone (progestin) or a combination of hormones (estrogen and progestin) prevents the ovary from releasing an egg into the fallopian tubes.
- Mucus in the cervix thickens, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize the egg.
- Lining of the uterus thins out to prevent implantation.
Hormonal contraceptive methods are very effective in preventing pregnancy (91% - 99% of the time). They are all reversible. The do not protect a woman against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There are several different hormonal contraceptive methods. The differences between them involve the type of hormone, the amount of hormone and the way the hormone enters the women’s body. The hormones can be estrogen and/or progesterone. The hormones may be taken orally, injected into the body, absorbed from a patch on the skin or placed in the vagina. Examples hormonal methods include: Depo-Provera (the shot), Oral contraceptives (The Pill), the The Patch – Ortho Evra or Norplant and Implanon (implants).
Health Services has several oral contraceptives available through the pharmacy, including Depo-Provera.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods block sperm from entering the vagina. Barrier methods include the male and female condoms, spermicides (jellies, creams, foam, films and suppositories), contraceptive sponge, diaphragm, cervical cap. The diaphragm and cervical cap require a prescription. All other barrier methods are available non-prescription and are inexpensive to purchase.
Male and female condoms are the only contraceptive method to provide some protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Abstinence is the protection against STIs that is 100% effective.
Health Services has FREE latex condoms, non-latex condoms and female condoms. Just stop by the Office of Health Education and Promotion, Health Services, Room 249.
Mechanical Methods
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) come in two different types:
- Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD): This device is made of copper and releases copper from a copper wire that is wrapped around the base. Examples of IUCDs include the ParaGard, Copper 7, and Mini-7.
- Intrauterine system (IUS): This form of IUD releases the hormone progesterone. Examples of IUSs include Progestasert and Mirena.
It is not known fully how IUDs work. They are thought to prevent conception by preventing the implantation of the egg in the uterine wall. The IUD also alters the cervical mucus, which, in turn, inhibits sperm from passing through the cervix.
IUDs are only available by prescription and must be inserted by clinical provider.
Permanent Methods
Sterilization is considered a permanent method of contraception. In certain cases, sterilization can be reversed, but this is not guaranteed. For this reason, sterilization is meant for men and women who do not intend to have children in the future. Permanent methods include male sterilization (vasectomy), female sterilization including tubal ligation, hysterectomy and selective tubal occlusion procedure (STOP).
Natural (Natural Family Planning) or Fertility Awareness Method
Natural methods do not rely on devices or hormones but on observing some aspect of a woman's body physiology to prevent fertilization. These methods require that a man and woman not have sexual intercourse during the time when an egg is available to be fertilized by a sperm. Natural methods include the calendar rhythm method, basal body temperature method, mucus inspection method and symptothermal method.
