Condoms, Diaphragms, and
Pills-Oh My!!!
An Introduction to
Contraceptive Methods
The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland
12201 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
What Exactly is a
Contraceptive Method???
•Contraceptive
Methods, also known
as Birth Control, are
techniques used to
prevent a woman
from becoming
pregnant.
•There are 3 types of
contraceptive
methods:
–Behavioral
–Barrier
–Hormonal
How Do I Pick the Right
Contraceptive Method???
•Visit your health
care provider for
prescription
contraceptives.
•Some
contraceptive
methods, such as
foam and condoms
are available at
drug stores.
The Female Reproductive
System
The Male Reproductive System
Abstinence
•Not having sexual
intercourse.
•It is free and it
prevents sexually
transmitted
infections.
•100% effective
against pregnancy.
Spermicides
•Kills sperm
•Does not require a
prescription.
•Can be messy.
•Comes is different
types:
–Foams
–Creams
–Jellies
–Film
Male Condoms
•Worn on a man’s
penis.
•Catches ejaculated
sperm.
•Effectiveness
•Better if used with
spermicide.
•Use with Water-
Based Lubes
Female Condoms
•Worn in the
woman’s vagina.
•Prevents sperm
from reaching
the uterus.
•Made with
polyurethane.
–It’s stronger
than latex
condoms.
Diaphragms
•Is a circular, dome-
shaped piece of thin
rubber cup that
covers the cervix.
•How to use one
•Tag team with
spermicide
•Effectiveness
–About 50-80%
•You must get fitted
by a doctor.
Cervical Caps
•It is placed in the
vagina and it fits
snugly on the cervix.
•It can be retained in
the vagina for 48
hours.
•Effectiveness
–About 70-85%
•It’s only available by
prescription
–You have to be fitted
The Cervical Shield
•The shield works just
like the diaphragm
and cervical cap for
preventing pregnancy.
•The shield is only
available with a
prescription.
•Effectiveness
–About 50-80%
The Sponge
•This method of
contraception was re-
approved by the FDA in
2005.
•The sponge contains the
spermicide nonoxynol-9.
•It is placed in the vagina
and sits below the
cervix.
•You can buy the sponge
from a drug store
•Effectiveness
–About 50-75%
Implanon
•Implanon is a
relatively new form
of birth control.
•Implanon is effective
for 3 years once
inserted.
•Effectiveness
–No one has become
pregnant from using
Implanon.
–However no birth
control method is
100% effective aside
from abstinence.
IUD-The Intrauterine
Device
•A small, "T-shaped"
contraceptive devices
made of flexible
plastic.
•IUDs work by
preventing sperm
from joining with an
egg by affecting the
way they move.
•Effectiveness
•Side effects
The Pill
•The pill contains synthetic
estrogen and progestin
hormones.
•The pill works by preventing
ovulation and also thickens
cervical mucus.
•There are three types of
birth control pills.
•Monophasic
•Triphasic/Combination
•POP Pills
•When taken correctly, the
pill is 95% effective in
preventing pregnancy.
•The pill does have side
effects.
The Shot: Depo-Provera
•Depo-Provera is a
contraceptive shot
given every three
months.
•How it works.
–It stops ovulation
•Effectiveness
–About 95%
•Side Effects
•How to get it.
–Only available by
prescription.
The Vaginal Ring: NuvaRing
•A small, flexible
ring that is
inserted into the
vagina
•How it works.
•Effectiveness
•How to get it
The Patch: Otho Evra
•The patch is worn
on the skin of the
buttocks, stomach,
upper outer arm,
or upper torso
•How it works
•Side effects
•How to get one
•Who can use it
Emergency Contraceptives
•Emergency contraception
can prevent pregnancy
after unprotected sex.
•Where to get it
•How to use it.
•Effectiveness
•Side effects
•Emergency contraception
should notbe used as a
regular form of birth
control.
Sterilization-Female
•Female sterilization, also
known as tubal ligation,
involves cutting or tying
the fallopian tubes.
•Tubal Ligation makes it
impossible for the egg to
move down the fallopian
tube toward the uterus.
•Tubal Ligation is 100%
effective in preventing
pregnancy.
•Tubal Ligation is
irreversible
Sterilization-Male
•Male sterilization, a
vasectomy, is where the
mans vas deferens (a tube
that carries ejaculate and
sperm) is cut and tied to
prevent sperm production.
•A vasectomy is 100%
effective after a man has
an ejaculate that has no
sperm present.
•A vasectomy is reversible.
Other Methods
•Withdrawal
•Douching
•Rhythm Method/
Fertility
Awareness Planning
Cost of Birth Control vs.
Cost of Having a Baby
•Abstinence: Free
•Fertility Awareness: Free
•Withdrawal: Free
•Depo Shot : $16.66/month
•NuvaRing: $30-40/month
•Birth Control Pills: $20-
50/month
•Emergency Contraction: $8-
25 single use
•Male Condoms: $4-12 for
6
•Female Condom: $2.50
each
•Diaphragm/Cervical Caps
and Shields: $13-24/year
•The Sponge: $15/box of 3
•Spermicide: $8-17/ tube
•Sterilization: $1500-6000
IT COSTS ABOUT $10,000 TO
TAKE CARE OF A BABY FOR 1
YEAR!!!
Keep in Mind…
•The same birth control
method your friend is using
may not be the right method
for you.
•Only abstinence and condoms
prevent the spread of STIs.
•Talk to you health care
professional, health educator,
or go the your local Free
Clinic for questions
concerning contraceptive
methods.
•Always remember, you are in
control of your own health
and well being.
Places to Get Birth Control in
Cleveland Area
•The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland
12201 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
(216) 721-4010
•Family Planning Services
of Lorain County
602 Leona St.
Elyria, Ohio 44035
(440) 322-7526
Planned Parenthood
•East Cleveland Health Center
1835 Forest Hill Boulevard
Cleveland, OH44112
(216) 851-1880
•Shaker Height Health Center
Shaker West Professional
Building located at 11811 Shaker
Boulevard, Ste. 210
Cleveland, OH44120
(216) 707-6907
•Old Brooklyn Health Center
3311 Broadview Road
Cleveland, OH44109
(216) 661-0400
•Bedford Health Center
19550 Rockside Road
Bedford, OH44146
(440) 232-8381 or 1-800-230-
PLAN
Or Call 1-800-230-PLAN to find a Planned
Parenthood in your area
References
•Hyde, J & DeLameter. Understanding
Human Sexuality. McGraw Hill
Publishing, New York: 2003
•www.plannedparenthood.org
•www.webmd.com
•www.teenwire.com
Condoms, Diaphragms, and
Pills-Oh My!!!
An Introduction to
Contraceptive Methods
The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland
12201 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106