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What are they? Any method or way to prevent a pregnancy resulting from sexual intercourse. What contraceptive methods are available? There are many contraceptive methods. Two types are recommended for adolescents: 1. Hormonal methods (used by the woman). These methods prevent the egg from being released from the ovary. They may also prevent sperm from moving or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. Among hormonal methods are pills; contraceptive injections; skin patches; skin implants; and vaginal rings that release hormones. 2. Barrier methods (can be used by the man or the woman). These methods prevent the sperm from entering the vagina or from moving up into the uterus and fallopian tubes. The most common of these methods is the male condom. There are also female condoms and intrauterine devices (IUDS) for women. A word of advice: Hormonal methods and IUDs do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. If you are at risk of an STI, you should use condoms in addition to your contraceptive method. Also, condoms alone do not provide 100% protection from pregnancy. To avoid an unintended pregnancy the woman should use a hormonal contraceptive method even if the man is using a condom. Perhaps you have heard of: Natural methods: This means that you have sexual intercourse only during the time of the month when you are not ovulating. (Ovulation occurs approximately midway between your menstrual cycles, that is, about 14 days after the beginning of your last cycle if you have a 28-day cycle.) Your fertile period is difficult to determine precisely, however, because menstrual cycles may be irregular and your body is constantly changing. This is not an effective way to avoid pregnancy. Withdrawal, or “pulling out.” This means that the man withdraws his penis from the woman’s vagina just before he ejaculates. This is not a very reliable method either, because he may not pull out in time, and sperm may be deposited in the vagina. But specially, there’s a risk because during stimulation and all intercourse the male secretes lubricating fluids containing sperm that can make a woman pregnant. This is not an effective way to avoid pregnancy. Where can I get information about contraception? Where can I obtain birth control? Hormonal methods (pills, injections) and condoms are available in pharmacies. You may need a prescription from a doctor to obtain hormonal methods, and a woman will need to visit a gynecologist or family planning clinic to obtain an IUD. Other sources are private and public health clinics. For more information check the following topics in our health topics section: Condom Female
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