The following is a list of the many different methods of birth control available today.
Effectiveness: 97-99.9%
How to obtain:
*Requires a prescription from a physician
*Available at the Student Health Service (SHS). Call 438-2778 (APPT) for appointment.
STI protection: NO
Other considerations:
*Provides continuous protection
*Must be taken at the same time every day
*Regulates menstrual cycle, decreases cramps and flow
*May cause breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea, weight gain/loss at first
Planned Parenthood - http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control/the-pill.htm
Effectiveness: 99.7%
How to obtain:
* Requires a prescription from a physician
*Available at the Student Health Service (SHS). Call 438-2778 (APPT) for appointment.
STI protection: NO
Other considerations:
*Insertion of small, flexible ring into the vagina for three weeks
*Releases hormones similar to oral contraceptives
*Periods may become more regular and shorter with less cramping
*May increase risk for vaginal discharge, irritation or infection, and other side effects similar to oral contraceptives
Planned Parenthood - http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control/the-ring.htm
Effectiveness: 99.9%
How to obtain:
*Requires a prescription from a physician.
*Available at the Student Health Service (SHS). Call 438-2778 (APPT) for appointment.
STI protection: NO
Other considerations:
*One shot every 3 months provides continuous protection
*Does not contain estrogen
*May cause irregular bleeding, weight gain, headaches, and mood changes during first few months; periods may also stop
*Should not take more than two years in a row
*May not be able to get pregnant for several months after shots are discontinued
Planned Parenthood - http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control/the-shot.htm
Effectiveness: over 99%
How to obtain:
*Requires a prescription from a physician
*Available at the Student Health Service (SHS). Call 438-2778 (APPT) for appointment.
STI protection: NO
Other considerations:
*Patch is worn on the skin (buttocks, abdomen, upper/outer arm, or upper torso excluding breasts)
*Must be worn for seven days, then replaced with a new patch for seven days. This is done for three consecutive weeks, and then during the fourth week you do not wear a patch.
*May experience menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, headache, nausea, skin reaction or irritation where the patch is applied.
*Can be worn during swimming, exercising, and while performing other daily activities.
*Estrogen absorption is higher than the pill, so some side effects and risks may be higher.
Planned Parenthood - http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control/the-patch.htm
Effectiveness: 97-99.2%
How to obtain:
*Not available at SHS--call for information
STI protection: NO
Other considerations:
*Small device put inside the womb by a clinician provides continuous protection
*May cause heavier menstrual bleeding and more severe cramps
*Increased chance of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and tubal pregnancy
Effectiveness: 82-94%
How to obtain:
*Requires a prescription from a physician
*Available at the Student Health Service (SHS). Call 438-2778 (APPT) for appointment. May require several appointments for fitting.
STI protection: Some
Other considerations:
*Most effective if small rubber cup is inserted inside vagina before genital contact
*Some women can't be fitted, some consider it messy or difficult to use
*Can be put in up to 2 hours before sex
*Must be left in place 6-8 hours after sex
Must be used with a spermicide. Spermicides can cause irritation making it more likely to contract a sexually transmitted infection.
Effectiveness: 88-98%
How to obtain:
*Available at Student Heath Service Pharmacy (SSB 293) and Health Stop Resource Center (SSB 228), and at the G Spot (see www.ilstu/edu/HPO).
*No appointment is needed
STI protection: Yes, most effective
Other considerations:
*Recommended to be used with water based lubricants without spermicide
*Should not be used with oil-based (petroleum) lubricants
*Most effective if used every time and before genital contact
For more information about using condoms, please visit:
Planned Parenthood - http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control/condom.htm
Effectiveness: 79-97%
How to obtain:
*KY Jelly and Delfen Foam are available at SHS Pharmacy (SSB 293)
*No appointment is needed
STI protection: Some, better if used with condom
Other considerations:
*Most effective if used with a condom and before genital contact
*May cause irritation (switching brands may help)
*Some consider messy to use
Spermicides can cause irritation, making it more likely to contract a sexually transmitted infection.
Effectiveness: (may be as effective as the latex condom, but additional testing needs to be done)
How to obtain:
*Available at SHS Pharmacy (SSB 293) or the G-Spot (see www.ilstu.edu.edu/HPO)
*No appointment is needed
STI protection: May be the next best method after latex condoms
Other considerations:
*Made out of polyurethane which is thinner than latex and provides greater sensation, but is also a stronger material than latex.
*Good alternative for those who are allergic to latex.
*Can use with oil-based lubricants
*Most effective if used every time and before genital contact
* Not as tight-fitting as the latex condom, and a good alternative for those who are allergic to latex.
Effectiveness: 80-98%
How to obtain:
*For more information contact Planned Parenthood at 827-4014, or Catholic Social Service at 829-6307
STI protection: NO
Other considerations:
*Requires instruction, and good record-keeping of fertility indicators
*Requires back-up method or abstinence during fertile part of cycle
*Stress, fever, vaginal infection, or irregular menstrual cycles can affect fertility indicators
*Acceptable to couples with religious/moral concerns about birth control
Women may use this treatment after having had unprotected sex for any reason, including condom breakage, diaphragm slippage, no contraception used, or for women who have been raped.
This treatment consists of two doses of oral contraceptives and the sooner it is taken, the better. It is most effective if taken within the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, but may prevent a pregnancy, if used up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex.
This method is used to prevent pregnancy from occurring, but how it works is not clearly understood.
Emergency contraception is NOT the same as RU-486 (the abortion pill)
* This method will not work if already pregnant
* Taking pills in addition to the prescribed dose will not further reduce the risk of pregnancy
* This method is not perfect (8% of women who take emergency contraception do get pregnant)
* Some women experience nausea after treatment
* This method is not to be used as a regular contraceptive method
* This method offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections
Emergency Contraception is now available without a prescription at many local pharmacies and at the Student Health Service Pharmacy
Planned Parenthood - http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/emergency-contraception-4363%20.htm
