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Birth control guide
In-Depth
Women's health
- Women's health Women's health — from leading health risks to birth control, breast health and sexual health.
- Birth control pill FAQ: Benefits, risks and choices Birth control pill — Get answers to frequently asked questions about taking the pill.
- Women's sexual health: How to reach sexual fulfillment Women's sexual health — Tips for talking about sexual needs and achieving fulfillment.
- Anorgasmia Anorgasmia — Comprehensive overview covers causes, diagnosis and treatment of difficulty reaching orgasm.
- Painful intercourse (dyspareunia) Painful intercourse (dyspareunia) — Comprehensive overview covers diagnosis, treatment of this sexual problem.
- Low sex drive in women Low sex drive in women — Comprehensive overview covers diagnosis, treatment of this common problem.
- STD testing: What to know before your appointment STD testing isn't the same for everyone. Find out what's recommended for you.
- Emergency birth control Emergency birth control — preventing pregnancy after a contraceptive method fails or after unprotected sex.
- Sex therapy: Is it an option for you? Sex therapy: How it can help and what to expect.
- Vaginal ring The vaginal ring provides pregnancy protection for one month, but it's not for all females.
- Sterilization: Pros and cons
- Tubal ligation Tubal ligation, or "having your tubes tied," is one of many forms of female contraception.
- Withdrawal birth control method
- Essure Essure birth control is highly effective, but know potential side effects and health risks.
- Male condom Condoms provide both a nonpermanent method of contraception and protection against STDs, including HIV.
- Barrier methods of birth control: Pros and cons
- Emergency contraception: Pros and cons
- Standard days birth control method The standard days method requires abstinence during part of your menstrual period. Explore this option.
- The pill and other hormonal contraceptives
- Lactational amenorrhea birth control method The lactational amenorrhea method of birth control is effective, but only when breast-feeding.
- Emerging birth control methods
- Skin patch for birth control The skin patch is highly effective, but it has health risks and side effects.
- TwoDay birth control method The TwoDay method is a fertility awareness approach to birth control.
- Implantable contraceptive device The implant birth control device releases a low dose of progestin.
- Female condom The female condom is a barrier method of birth control.
- Sterilization
- Condoms and other barrier methods
- Vasectomy Vasectomy offers effective and permanent protection against pregnancy. Explore pros and cons.
- Copper IUD Copper IUD (ParaGard) is safe and effective, but doesn't protect against STDs.
- Hormonal IUD The Mirena IUD — Explore pros and cons of this birth control.
- Intrauterine device
- Contraceptive sponge Today Sponge is one of several contraceptive sponges that provide female birth control.
- Withdrawal: Pros and cons
- IUD: Pros and cons
- STD symptoms: 7 STDs and common symptoms A list of common and possible STD symptoms and potential causes.
- Natural family planning: Pros and cons
- Progestin-only contraceptives: Pros and cons
- Calendar birth control method The calendar method of natural family planning can be effective, but it requires abstinence.
- Cervical cap Cervical caps are a barrier form of birth control for females available by prescription.
- Welcome to Birth control guide
- Cervical shield Lea's Shield is a reusable form of birth control. Explore its pros and cons.
- Spermicides Spermicides more effectively prevent pregnancy when used with a condom or diaphragm.
- Symptothermal birth control method The symptothermal method uses several forms of natural family planning.
- Combined estrogen and progestin contraceptives: Pros and cons
- Things to consider about birth control
- Depo-Provera injectable contraceptive Explore the pros and cons of this injectable form of female contraceptive.
- Natural family planning
- Diaphragm The diaphragm is a reusable form of female birth control. Weigh its pros and cons.
- Progestin-only birth control pill
- Combination birth control pills Combination birth control pills — Overview covers definition, risks, instructions for using this type of contraception.
- Basal body temperature method for natural family planning Basal body temperature — Overview covers definition, steps for tracking basal temperature for fertility or contraception.
- Cervical mucus method for natural family planning Cervical mucus method — Overview covers definition, steps for tracking cervical mucus for fertility or contraception.
- Vasectomy Vasectomy — Overview covers definition, side effects, results of this male birth control procedure.
- Vaginal hysterectomy Vaginal hysterectomy removes the uterus through the vagina to treat gynecologic conditions.
- Abdominal hysterectomy Abdominal hysterectomy — Surgery that removes the uterus and treats gynecologic conditions, such as cancer.
