A cervical cap is a thimble-shaped, soft rubber cap with a round rim that is fitted around the cervix by a health professional. Currently, the cervical cap is not available in the United States. A cervical cap prevents pregnancy, but does not protect against STD’s, including HIV/AIDS. It is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Use

The cap is placed inside the vagina to cover the cervix. It is recommended that spermicide be added to increase the effectiveness of this method.

The cervical cap acts by:

• blocking the entrance to the uterus;
• the spermicide acts by killing and immobilizing the sperm, preventing it from fertilizing the egg.

The cervical cap must be left in place for at least six hours after intercourse.

How to start

• If you already consulted with your doctor and decided to choose a cervical cap as a birth-control method, your vagina will need to be measured to determine the correct size you need.
• Your doctor will teach you how to correctly insert and remove the cap.

 A cervical shield is a vaginal barrier contraceptive that is made of medical grade silicone. It is a cup-shaped device that is inserted into the vagina in order to prevent sperm from entering the cervix. Designed to be reusable, the CS is completely washable and lasts for a period of about six months. It is available by prescription from your health care provider.

Use

CS is inserted much like a tampon. Simply squeeze the shield and push it into the vagina, as far as it will comfortably go. When inserted properly, you should not be able to feel it.
 

You can insert CS any time prior to intercourse: just place spermicide around the ring of the shield and push it into place. It should remain in place for at least eight hours after intercourse. However, it can be left in place for up to 40 hours after insertion. If the shield is left in place for more than eight hours, though, make sure to place additional spermicide in your vagina when having intercourse.

How to start?

• First you will need a prescription from your health care provider.
• Since it is inserted into the vagina the doctor or a nurse may teach you how to insert and remove it.
• Don’t forget that cervical shield is much more effective when used with spermicide.
• Learn how to take care of your cervical shield either from your doctor or package instructions.
• It should be washed and dried properly and stored in its protective case.

 The contraceptive patch is a small, thin, sticky skin patch that contains the same hormones as the pill - estrogen and progesterone. These are similar to the hormones women produce in their ovaries.

The Patch works like the birth control pill. It uses estrogen and progesterone to suppress ovulation, thicken cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining. Hormones are continuously delivered directly into the bloodstream through the skin.
 

While the Patch offers effective protection against pregnancy, it does not offer any protection against STDs.

How to start

• First consult with your doctor regarding whether or not hormonal contraception is right for you.
• Once you have filled the prescription, you can apply the patch yourself.
• When removing your patch, do not dispose of it down toilet to avoid releasing the remained hormones into environment. Simply fold it up and throw it in the trash.

 Depo Provera is a hormone prescribed for the purpose of contraception. It is given by injection and its effects last for three months at a time. It is similar to progesterone, which is one of the two main hormones made by a woman's ovaries. Depo Provera does not protect against STDs and infections, so if you have multiple partners consider using barrier methods of contraception to prevent STDs and HIV/AIDS.

Use

The first shot of Depo Provera is usually given during, or a few days after, the start of a menstrual period. After 24 hours, the shot is effective for the next 13 weeks.

• If you are more than a week late for your shot, use a backup method of birth control for the next two weeks.
• If you are more than a week late and you have had unprotected sex since your last shot, consider taking a pregnancy test before receiving the next dose.

How to start

• Go to your doctor and receive all the necessary tests and information prior the injection.
• Always schedule your next injection on time.

 Diaphragms are made of thin, soft rubber, or silicone. They form an excellent physical ‘barrier’ for blocking sperm – but need to be used with a spermicide (chemical).

Since all women are different, your doctor must determine the size that is best for you. Your doctor will also show you how to position the diaphragm correctly so that it covers the cervix. Used properly, the diaphragm is an efficient and safe type of contraception. It has a success rate of roughly 95 per cent per year among women who use it correctly.
 

Each diaphragm will last several years if it is carefully looked after. Diaphragms should always be left in place for at least six hours after sex.

Use
 

The diaphragm is flexible and can be folded so that it goes into the vagina easily. Before insertion it must be smeared with spermicidal gel or cream in order to higher protection and prevent sperm from getting into the cervix.
 

I diaphragm is positioned so that it covers the cervix. The top end of the dome goes behind the cervix, and the bottom end of the dome is tucked up behind the pubic bone. When the diaphragm is inserted correctly, it cannot be felt during intercourse.
 

It is quite easy to take the diaphragm out after use – simply by hooking round it with a fingertip. After taking it out, it has to be washed, dried and put away in its box.
 

How to start
 

• Learn about the advantages and disadvantages, as well as possible side effects, by consulting with your doctor.
• Your doctor will teach you how to insert and remove a diaphragm.

 Emergency contraception, or emergency birth control, is used to help keep a woman from getting pregnant after she has had sex without using birth control or if the birth control method failed. If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception will not work. Emergency contraception does not protect against STDs, HIV/AIDS.

Use
 

The emergency contraception can be used if:

• You didn’t use birth control.
• You were forced to have sex.
• The condom broke or came off.
• Your diaphragm slipped out of place.
• He didn’t pull out in time.
• You missed at least two or three active birth control pills in a row (depending on which pill brand you use).
• You have a reason to think your regular birth control might have failed.

Emergency contraception should not be used as regular birth control. Talk with your doctor to decide which one is right for you.

 The female condom is a lubricated polyurethane sheath/pouch that has two ends. One end is closed and one is open, with flexible rings at each end. It protects against pregnancy by catching the sperm in the pouch and preventing it from entering the vagina. Female condoms are made of polyurethane. Tests suggest that they protect against infections, but this has not been completely proven.

Use

The closed end of the condom is placed inside the vagina (the ring holds the pouch in place), while the open end stays outside the vaginal opening.
Like the male condom, the female condom is intended for one-time use only.

How to start

• Just purchase the condoms at a local drugstore and follow the instructions on the package.
• Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns prior to use.

Female sterilization is an operation that inhibits pregnancy. There are two options: Tubal Ligation, an outpatient surgery to cut or tie the fallopian tubes, or Essure, spring-like coils inserted to block the fallopian tubes. Sterilization should be considered carefully since it is almost irreversible and the reversal operations are costly, difficult, and not always successful. Before choosing this method, think over all the pros and cons.

Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation, commonly known as “getting your tubes tied,” is a surgical sterilization technique for women. This procedure closes the fallopian tubes, and stops the egg from traveling to the uterus from the ovary. It also prevents sperm from reaching the fallopian tube to fertilize an egg. In a tubal ligation, the fallopian tubes are cut, burned, or blocked with rings, bands or clips. The surgery is effective immediately. Tubal ligations are 99.5% effective as birth control. They do not protect against STDs, including HIV/AIDS.

• If you’ve already decided to use sterilization as your birth-control method, start by consulting with your doctor to determine what kinds of tests or preparations you have to go through.
• It is important to know the long term consequences of these procedures, and to make sure that you are emotionally prepared for them.

 Implanon is a long-acting progesterone-only contraceptive implant that contains the active ingredient etonogestrel. Etonogestrel is a synthetic form of the naturally occurring female sex hormone, progesterone. It prevents pregnancy in two ways.
Implanon is a small plastic implant that is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. The plastic implant continuously releases etonogestrel into the bloodstream and is designed to provide contraception for three years.
The implant should only be inserted by a doctor who has been trained in the procedure.

How does it work?

1. Etonogestrel tricks the body into thinking that ovulation has already occurred, by maintaining high levels of the synthetic progesterone. This prevents the release of eggs from the ovaries and is the main way in which etonogestrel prevents pregnancy.
2. It also increases the thickness of mucus in the cervix, making it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the uterus.
    

Starting

Implanon should be inserted by a physician, between days one to five of your menstrual cycle (day one is the first day of your period). This will prevent pregnancy from the time the implant is inserted.

• Implanon will provide contraception for three years if left in place, but can be removed at any time by your doctor or family planning nurse.
• The implant doesn't dissolve in the body and should not be left in place any longer than three years.
• After the implant is removed you are no longer protected against pregnancy and your normal menstrual cycle will rapidly return.
• This contraceptive will not protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted diseases. Using a condom will help to provide this protection.

 An IUD is a small, t-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus by a doctor. It is made of flexible plastic and contains either copper or hormones. At the end of the IUD are two transparent strings that hang down into the vagina, which women can feel for to check that their IUD is still in place. Depending on the type of IUD, continuous protection from pregnancy can last anywhere from 5 to 12 years. IUD's are effective as soon as they are inserted.

Use

As a birth-control method in women. Those who have never been pregnant can also use it. The IUD is inserted into the uterus by a trained medical practitioner.

How to start

• If you’ve decided that this method is for you, see your doctor to discuss all aspects of IUD use.
• An internal examination will be necessary.