Implant
A teeny-tiny flexible rod smaller than a match inserted under the skin of your upper arm
IUD
A little T-shaped piece of plastic inserted into the uterus to prevent fertilization
The Pill
A hormonal pill (obviously) taken every day that prevents sperm from meeting the egg
The Patch
A thin, beige piece of plastic that looks like a square band-aide
The Ring
A small bendable ring that looks like those jelly bracelets we all loved as kids, but you insert it in your vagina
The Shot
Self-explanatory– a shot that prevents ovulation
Condom
Probably the most well-known form of B.C. and works by keeping sperm out of the vagina
Withdrawal
The oldest form of B.C., the guy pulls out before he ejaculates
Fertility Awareness
All about tracking your menstrual cycle to determine the days you can get pregnant
READ MORE ABOUT FERTILITY AWARENESS>>
Sterilization
A procedure that sterilizes you (duh) by altering your internal sex organs
READ MORE ABOUT STERILIZATION>>
Emergency Contraception
Stops a pregnancy before it starts, but taken after unprotected sex
READ MORE ABOUT EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION>>
“Not Right Now”
a.k.a. abstinence– not having vaginal sex
READ MORE ABOUT “NOT RIGHT NOW”>>
Other Interesting Methods
Including spermicide, the diaphragm, cervical cap, and sponge
READ MORE ABOUT OTHER INTERESTING METHODS>>
**Information on the birth control methods included in this list is provided by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s website at thenationalcampaign.org and bedsider.org.