Birth Control

  This new nonhormonal birth control gel can be used in place of spermicide.  Phexxi weakens sperm by helping keep your pH levels low. It comes in 12 prefilled applicators. You can put it in your vagina up to 1 hour before sex.

Pros: It’s easy to use and is about as effective as condoms, and you can use it with condoms for more protection. You can also use it with cervical caps and diaphragms.

Cons: Doesn’t protect against STDs and may irritate some people. You insurance may not cover it. The cost without insurance is about $250-$275 for 12 doses.

The latex condom blocks sperm from entering the woman's body, which protects against pregnancy and some STDs. Of couples who rely on male condoms only, 15% get pregnant in a year.

Pros: Widely available, protects against some STDs, inexpensive.

Cons: Effective only if used correctly every time. Can't be reuse

This is a thin plastic pouch that lines the vagina. A woman can put it in place up to 8 hours before sex. To do that, they would grasp a flexible plastic ring at the closed end and guide it into position. It doesn't work as well as the male condom.

Pros: Widely available, offers some protection against STDs.

Cons: Can be noisy, 21% of users get pregnant, and not reusable. Should not be used with a male condom to avoid breakage.

This is a rubber dome that women place over their cervix before sex. You should also use a spermicide. Of 100 women who use it,16 get pregnant in a typical year.

Pros: Inexpensive (a $15-$75 device lasts 2 years).

Cons: Must be fitted by a doctor. No STD protection. Can't be used during your period due to a risk of toxic shock syndrome.

  This device, also called the FemCap, is similar to a diaphragm but smaller. It slips into place over the cervix. You use it with spermicide. About 15% of women who never had children get pregnant when using the cervical cap. About 30% of women who have had children get pregnant.

Pros: Can stay in place for 48 hours, inexpensive.

Cons: Must be fitted by a doctor. No protection against STDs. You can't use it during your period.

It's made of foam and contains spermicide. Women can place it against their cervix up to 24 hours before sex. It prevents pregnancy about as well as the cervical cap. But unlike that product or the diaphragm, you don't need to get fitted by a doctor.

Pros: No prescription, effective immediately.

Cons: Can be hard to put in. No STD protection. You can't use it during your period.

The most common type uses estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. It's very effective if taken right. About 8% of women who use it get pregnant. You'll need a prescription for it.

Pros: Lighter, more regular periods or no periods, depending on the type. Less cramping.

Cons: Cost ($0-$50 per month). No STD protection. May cause breast tenderness, spotting, blood clots, and raised blood pressure. Some women shouldn't use it due to health risks.

Women who forget to take daily pills may want the patch. You wear it on your skin and change it once a week for 3 weeks, then go a week without it. It releases the same hormones in birth control pills and works just as well.

Pros: Lighter, more regular periods with less cramping. No need to remember a daily pill.

Cons: Cost ($0-$50 per month). May cause skin irritation or other side effects similar to birth control pills. No STD protection.

The vaginal ring is a soft plastic ring that goes inside the vagina. It releases the same hormones as the pill and patch, and it works just as well to prevent pregnancy. There are two types available: Annovera and NuvaRing. Annovera can be reused after a 1-week break each month. NuvaRing is replaced each month.

Pros: Lighter, more regular periods. Less-frequent replacement.

Cons: Cost ($30-$50 per month). May cause vaginal irritation or other side effects similar to pills and the patch. Doesn't protect against STDs.

It's called Depo-Provera, and it's a hormonal shot that protects against pregnancy for 3 months. For the typical couple, it works better than the birth control pill. Only 3% of users get pregnant in a year.

Pros: Injected only 4 times per year, highly effective.

Cons: Cost (about $240 per year). May cause spotting and other side effects. Doesn't protect against STDs.

Nexplanon is a matchstick-sized rod that a doctor places under the skin of a woman's upper arm. It releases the same hormone that's in the birth control shot. The failure rate is less than 1%.

Pros: Protects against pregnancy for 3 years and then must be removed. Highly effective.

Cons: More expensive up front ($400-$800 for exam, implant, and insertion). May cause side effects, including irregular bleeding. Doesn't protect against STDs.

That stands for intrauterine device. It's placed inside a woman's uterus. The nonhormonal copper IUD, ParaGard, works for as long as 10 years. The hormonal IUDs must be replaced after 3-5 years. Both types make it harder for sperm to fertilize the egg. Fewer than 8 in 1,000 women get pregnant.

Pros: Long-lasting, low-maintenance. Hormonal IUDs can make periods shorter and lighter.

Cons: Irregular or heavier periods. Copper IUDs can make periods more painful. More expensive up front, may slip out, may cause side effects.