There are many safe and effective methods to prevent pregnancy. Without birth control, more than eight in 10 sexually active people capable of pregnancy will get pregnant. If you would like to avoid pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about which method would be the best fit for you and your lifestyle.
Condoms are the only birth control method that can reduce your risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. For protection against STIs, use either a male/external condom or an internal condom (FC2) every time you have sex. Do not use both types of condoms together.
No birth control method will stop you from being able to get pregnant in the future, except tubal ligation, which is permanent.
You can get birth control at health centers, family planning clinics or through your health care provider.
Health insurance plans are required to cover birth control with no copay. If you are considering an IUD or implant, ask your insurance about costs for insertion and removal. You may also be eligible for the Medicaid Family Planning Benefit Program, a public health insurance program for New Yorkers that pays for family planning services. Call 800-541-2831 to find a place to enroll.
If you are looking for free or low-cost birth control:
When deciding which birth control to use, you should consider several factors, including how it works and its side effects. Other than sterilization, you can stop using, remove or switch any of the methods below at any time, without interference from your provider.
Cervical Cap
The cervical cap is a thimble-shaped cup you insert into your vagina before having sex. It needs to stay in place for at least six hours after you have sex. Cervical caps come in different sizes, so visit your health care provider for a proper fitting.
People who are allergic to silicone or spermicide should not use a cervical cap.
Condom
A male/external condom is a thin covering placed over the penis to keep sperm out of the vagina before having sex. Latex condoms, the most common type, help prevent pregnancy and HIV and other STIs, as do the newer synthetic condoms. "Natural" or "lambskin" condoms also help prevent pregnancy, but they may not provide protection against STIs.
If you are allergic to latex, you should use a non-latex condom.
An internal condom (FC2) — also known as a female condom — is a pouch with a ring on each end that you insert into your vagina.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped cup made of silicone that you insert into your vagina before having sex. It can be inserted a few hours before sex and needs to stay in place for at least six hours after sex. For a diaphragm to work effectively, you need to use it with a spermicide.
People who are allergic to silicone or spermicide should not use a diaphragm.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after you have unprotected sex, or if a birth control method failed, such as a condom breaking. It is not an abortion pill and will not work if you are already pregnant.
There are two available methods — a pill and a non-hormonal copper IUD.
For the pill, you do not need a prescription and you can get it no matter your age. You can get the pill at a pharmacy or online, or for free at some clinics. The non-hormonal IUD is inserted by your provider and lasts for up to 10 years.
For either method, the sooner you take it, the better it works. For the pill, you need to take it three to five days after you have unprotected sex. The non-hormonal IUD must be inserted by your provider no more than five days after you have unprotected sex.
Pill:
Non-hormonal IUD:
Fertility Awareness
Fertility awareness, or natural family planning, is a form of birth control based on tracking your menstrual cycle to determine the days you can get pregnant. You need to have a regular monthly menstrual cycle for this option to work.
Fertility awareness requires planning, monitoring and record-keeping. Also, you must not have sex for at least a week during each menstrual cycle.
There are three main methods, and combining all three is most effective.
Implant
The implant is a plastic rod — about the size of a matchstick — that contains the hormone progestin. It is inserted under the skin of your inner upper arm by your health care provider.
IUD (Hormonal)
The hormonal IUD is an inch-long plastic device containing the hormone progestin. It is inserted into your uterus by your health care provider.
IUD (Non-Hormonal)
The non-hormonal IUD is an inch-long device made of plastic and copper. It is inserted into your uterus by your health care provider.
Patch
The patch is a thin, plastic adhesive square containing two hormones — progestin and estrogen. You must place a new patch on your lower abdomen, buttocks or upper body each week for three weeks. Do not place the patch on your breasts. You do not wear a patch during your period in the fourth week. After your period ends, you must put on a new patch.
The side effects listed below usually go away within the first three months.
Pill
The birth control pill is an oral tablet that contains one hormone (progestin) or two hormones (progestin and estrogen). You must take a pill every day at the same time.
The side effects listed below usually go away within the first three months.
Ring
The ring is a soft, flexible round piece of plastic containing two hormones (progestin and estrogen). You can insert the ring into your vagina and leave it in for three weeks. You must then remove it and insert a new ring.
The side effects listed below usually go away within the first three months.
Shot
The Depo-Provera shot is a hormone (progestin) injection given by your health care provider. You must receive it every three months.
Sponge
The sponge is a round piece of plastic foam containing spermicide that you insert into your vagina before having sex. It needs to stay in place over the cervix for at least six hours after you have sex.
Do not use the sponge if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, sulfites or spermicide.
Sterilization
Sterilization for people capable of pregnancy means a health care provider closes or blocks the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg and sperm from meeting. For people capable of getting others pregnant, sterilization (vasectomy) means a provider blocks the vas deferens, preventing sperm from being present in the semen.
Sterilization is permanent. Once sterilized, you will not need to use any other form of birth control. You should continue to use condoms if you are at risk for STIs.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is when a person pulls their penis out of a vagina and ejaculates away from the vulva.