Almost half of pregnancies worldwide are unplanned — and choosing the right contraception cuts that risk a lot. This page gives plain, practical details on common birth control options, how they work, what side effects to expect, and quick tips to get started.
Pill (combined or progestin-only): you take a pill every day. Combined pills contain estrogen plus progestin; progestin-only pills are better if you can’t take estrogen. Pills are reliable when taken correctly but can cause nausea, spotting, or mood changes for some people.
IUD (copper or hormonal): a small device placed in the uterus by a clinician. Copper IUDs prevent fertilization and can be used as emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Hormonal IUDs release progestin and usually reduce periods. IUDs last from 3 to 10 years depending on the type and are highly effective.
Implant: a tiny rod put under the skin of your arm that releases progestin. It lasts about 3 years and is very low maintenance. Common effects include irregular bleeding at first.
Shot (Depo-Provera): a progestin injection every 12–13 weeks. It’s private and effective but can change your period and delay return to fertility for a few months after stopping.
Condoms: the only method that also protects against STIs. Use condoms every time and pair them with another method if you want stronger pregnancy prevention.
Emergency contraception: take levonorgestrel pills within 72 hours for best effect, or ulipristal acetate (Ella) up to 120 hours. A copper IUD is the most effective emergency option and can be inserted up to 5 days after sex. Emergency pills don’t harm a pregnancy already established but are less effective the longer you wait.
Side effects: most methods have trade-offs — irregular bleeding, mood changes, headaches, or weight shifts. Serious risks are rare, but if you have a history of blood clots or certain health conditions, some methods (like combined pills) may not be safe. Talk to a clinician about your health history.
How to choose: think about how often you want to manage contraception (daily pill vs set-and-forget IUD), whether you need STI protection, your plans for future pregnancy, and common side effects you can tolerate. If you need privacy, implants or IUDs work well. If you need STI protection, wear condoms.
Getting care: many clinics offer same-day counseling and IUD insertion. Telehealth can prescribe pills or the shot in some places. If you order medication online, use a licensed pharmacy and keep your prescriptions and records. When in doubt, ask a clinician — quick questions can save a lot of trouble later.
Want help narrowing options? Write down your priorities (e.g., "no hormones," "long-term," "easy to stop") and bring that list to your appointment. That makes the conversation faster and more useful for you.
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