EVERY TIME

Male Latex Condom

• Easy to buy in drugstores, markets
• Can be put on as part of sex play
• Can help relieve early ejaculation
• Protects against many infections, including HIV
• Can be used while breastfeeding

• Latex allergy
• Loss of feeling
• Can break or slip off

Diaphragm

• Can last several years


• Costs very little to use
• May protect against some infections (NOT HIV)
• Can be used while breastfeeding

• Must be used every time you have sex

• Must be used with spermicide
• Must be fitted by a health care provider

• Using spermicide nonoxynol-9 may raise the risk of getting HIV 
• Should not be used during vaginal bleeding or infection
• Higher risk of bladder infection
• Can be left in for no more than 24 hours

EVERY DAY

The Pill

• Can make periods more regular and less painful
• Can improve acne
• Lowers risk of ovarian cancer
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the pills

• May cause nausea, weight gain, headaches – but these can be relieved by changing to a new pill
• May cause spotting the first 1-2 months

EVERY WEEK

The Patch
Ortho Evra

• Can make periods more regular and less painful
• No pill to take daily
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use is stopped

• Can irritate skin underneath the patch
• May cause spotting the first 1-2 months of use

EVERY MONTH

The Ring
Nuvaring

• Does not require a “fitting” by a health care provider
• Does not require spermicide
• Can make periods more regular and less painful
• No pill to take daily
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly after stopping the ring

• Insert a small ring into the vagina
• Change ring each month

• Can cause increased vaginal discharge
• May cause spotting the first 1-2 months of use

EVERY SEASON

The Shot
Depo-Provera

• Each shot works for 12 weeks
• Helps prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus (womb)
• No pill to take daily
• Can be used while breastfeeding

• Must get shot every three months

• May cause changes in your period (spotting, no periods or heavier periods), weight gain, depression, hair changes, skin rash, change in sex drive
• May cause delay in getting pregnant after shots are stopped
• Some women may have side effects up to 6 months after stopping the shots

EVERY 5 – 10 YEARS

IUD
Intrauterine Device: ParaGard, Mirena

• Nothing to put in place before sex
• ParaGard may be left in place for up to 10 years, and Mirena for 5 years
• No pill to take daily
• IUDs with hormones (Mirena) may help period cramps and bleeding
• Ability to become pregnant returns quickly when IUD is removed
• Can be used while breastfeeding

• Must be placed in uterus and removed by a health care provider

• ParaGard may cause more cramps and heavy periods
• Mirena may cause lighter or fewer periods
• IUDs can cause spotting between periods
• Rarely, uterus is injured during placement