Patient information: A guide to birth control (contraception)

BIRTH CONTROL OVERVIEW

When many people think of birth control, they think of birth control pills. However, there are actually many other ways to prevent pregnancy, each of which has its own advantages.

Birth control, or contraception, is the term used to describe a medication or device used to prevent pregnancy. Choosing the "best" type of birth control requires that you know a little about each method, how it works, and whether you and your partner will use the method. In addition, some types of birth control are reversible, meaning you can get pregnant when you stop using it. Other methods are permanent, which means that you cannot usually get pregnant again.

To decide which birth control method is right for you, read about each type, talk to your healthcare provider, and talk to your partner, if possible.

UPTODATE BIRTH CONTROL RESOURCES

Patient information — UpToDate has a number of articles about birth control. These articles are available on the internet at www.uptodate.com/patients.

  (see "Patient information: Birth control; which method is right for me?")

  (see "Patient information: Emergency contraception (morning after pill)")

  (see "Patient information: Hormonal methods of birth control")

  (see "Patient information: Barrier methods of birth control")

  (see "Patient information: Long-term methods of birth control")

  (see "Patient information: Permanent sterilization procedures for women")

  (see "Patient information: Vasectomy")

Premium subscription information — More detailed information is also available by subscription.

  (see "Emergency contraception")

  (see "Overview of contraception")

  (see "Overview of the use of estrogen-progestin contraceptives")

  (see "Transdermal contraceptive patch")

  (see "Progestin-only pills (minipills) for contraception")

  (see "Contraception counseling for obese women")

  (see "Contraception for women with inherited thrombophilias")

  (see "Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception")

  (see "Fertility awareness-based methods of pregnancy prevention")

  (see "How to fit and use a diaphragm for contraception")

  (see "Hysteroscopic sterilization")

  (see "Implanon")

  (see "Male condoms")

  (see "Female condoms")

  (see "Approach to intrauterine contraception")

  (see "Management of problems related to intrauterine contraception")

  (see "Management of unscheduled bleeding in women using contraception")

  (see "Overview of vasectomy")

  (see "Surgical sterilization of women")