Pregnancy: Implant, IUD, male condom, female condom, natural family planning, pill, injection, ring
STIs: Male or female condom
Both: Male or female condom
We've said it before and we'll say it again: Your protection is your responsibility.
If you're sexually active or planning to be, consider the different options available to you and which one is right based on your lifestyle, your partner, and your concerns.
Here’s a list of questions to help you hone in on the right contraceptive for you.
We've based this on the most popular methods of preventing pregnancy and STIs:
Other methods:
Pregnancy: Implant, IUD, male condom, female condom, natural family planning, pill, injection, ring
STIs: Male or female condom
Both: Male or female condom
Long-term monogamous partner: Implant, IUD, male condom, female condom, natural family planning, pill, injection, ring
New partner: Male or female condom
If yes: Choose something that can be stopped easily and without lasting effects: Condoms, pill, natural family planning.
Avoid: IUD, implant
If never: You can consider having your tubes tied, aka tubal ligation, which is a permanent, irreversible method.
If yes: Copper IUD, male or female condom, natural family planning
Avoid: Hormonal IUD, pill, implant
Would you prefer contraception you do not have to remember to take or to have with you?
If yes: IUD or implant
Avoid: Pill and condoms
If yes: avoid hormonal contraceptives like pill, patch, or the vaginal ring.
If no: avoid IUD, ring.
These could be health conditions, geographic, or religious restrictions that make one or more of these options unavailable to you.
Only barrier methods like the male or female condom can protect you from STIs.
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