Overview of Birth Control Methods

Pregnancy, intended or otherwise, has a profound effect on a woman's life. Ideally, a woman should be able to choose if and when she has a baby. In the United States, we have reasonable access to a variety of safe and effective methods of birth control. Nonetheless, according to the CDC, the Center for Disease Control at cdc.gov, almost half of all pregnancies are unintended. (1) There are a small predictable number of contraceptive failures, but most generally unintended pregnancy is caused by failure to use birth control, or failure to use it correctly. That is why knowledge about these contraceptive methods can be empowering. 

To understand the various methods of birth control you have to understand the menstrual cycle. 

Read more at Menstrual Cycle 101. 

Types of Birth Control

There are several basic types of contraceptives: hormonal, barriers, intrauterine devices and rhythm. Here's where you can learn more: 

Hormonal Birth Control 

Barrier Methods 

Intrauterine devices 

Rhythm 

Emergency Contraception or The Morning After Pill

Contraceptive Comparison Graphic :

Would you risk it on anything less than 90 % ? 

References on Birth Control:   

1. Unintended pregnancy in the United States: incidence and disparities, 2006.Contraception. 2011;84(5):478-485.