Power Your Life

Birth control

Birth control (also called contraception) can be an important tool to help people have children when they want to have them. There are many kinds of birth control to consider.

The best birth control method is different for everyone. The method that may be best for you depends on many things, including:

Your health.
Your desire to have children now or in the future.
How often you have sex.
How comfortable you are with the method.
How likely you are to use the method the right way so it works like it should.

Choosing a birth control method should be between you, your medical provider, and your partner (if applicable).

Look at the chart below to find out more about the different types of birth control methods and how effective they are at preventing pregnancy.

The implantable rod is a rod about the size of a matchstick that is placed under the skin and slowly releases the hormone progesterone. This form of birth control lasts three years until it has to be replaced. It can easily be implanted and removed in the doctor’s office.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: Nexplanon
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: fewer than 1 in 100

This progestin-containing IUD works by thickening the mucus in the cervix so that sperm have difficulty reaching the egg. In addition, the progesterone keeps the lining of the uterus low making it difficult for the egg to attach to the uterus. It may cause you to stop having periods, which is a normal side effect. Hormonal IUDs can last between 3-5 years before it has to be replaced.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: fewer than 1 in 100

The copper IUD is a “T” shaped device that is lined with copper. Copper causes the sperm to die before they are able to reach the egg. There are no hormones involved with this type of birth control. It does not affect your periods and can work for up to 12 years. The copper IUD can be placed immediately after you deliver your baby or once you have reached 8 weeks postpartum. You can also place a copper IUD up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse to prevent a pregnancy.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: Paragard
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: fewer than 1 in 100

Sterilization is a highly effective form of permanent birth control. Sterilization means to permanently block the ability to have a baby. It should only be considered if the couple does not want to have any more children. Reversal is costly and does not always work. There are many different types of sterilization that can be performed on a man or woman.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: fewer than 1 in 100

The birth control shot can be given in the arm or buttocks every 12 weeks and contains only the hormone progesterone. It requires you to visit your doctor’s office every 12 weeks to get the shot.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: Depo-Provera
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 6 in 100

The vaginal ring is a small ring that sits inside the vagina and close to the cervix. If it is inserted correctly, you do not feel it, and your partner should not feel it during intercourse. The ring contains estrogen and progesterone and prevents ovulation (releasing of an egg).
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: NuvaRing and Annovera
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 9 in 100

The patch is like a square band-aid that releases hormones (estrogen and progesterone) through the skin. You wear the patch for 7 days and replace the patch with a new one. You do this for three weeks and then go “patch-free” for a week. The “patch-free” week is when you will have your period. If the patch comes off for longer than 24 hours, you must start a new patch and use backup contraception for 7 days.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: Xulane and Twirla
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 9 in 100

This is a medication that has hormones that are naturally found in your body. The pill can contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone, or just progesterone. With the combination pills, you will have a monthly cycle. With progesterone-only pills, you may not have a monthly cycle at all. Whichever kind of pill you choose, it must be taken at the same time every day. If you miss a pill, you can take it as soon as you remember the next day. If you miss more than two days in a row, throw the missed pills away, resume taking the rest of the pills on schedule, and use a back-up contraception method for 7 days.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: There are many options. Common brands include Yasmin, Yaz, Microgynon, Opill, Kariva, and Azurette.
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 9 in 100

This is a dome-shaped rubber cup that is flexible and sits over the cervix (opening to the womb). Spermicide is placed inside the dome that sits against the cervix. The diaphragm must be placed before intercourse begins and is effective for up to 6 hours after placement. After intercourse, it should be left in place for 6 hours. you should not wear it longer than 6 hours. The diaphragm must be refitted by a doctor after each pregnancy or after any weight loss or gain of more than 15 pounds.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: Caya and Milex
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 12 in 100

This is a small pillow-shaped sponge that contains spermicide and should be moistened before use and placed in the back of the vagina over the cervix. This can protect you from pregnancy for up to 24 hours, no matter how many times you have sex. It must be left in place for 6 hours after intercourse. It should not be left in place for over 24 hours because of the risk of infection. This method does NOT protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? No
Common brand names it goes by: Today Sponge
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 18 in 100

Male condoms: available in a variety of shapes, colors, and thicknesses, and with or without lubricants and spermicides (a medication that kills sperm). Condoms are worn over the penis to prevent sperm from making contact with the vagina. This can help prevent pregnancy as well as protect from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They can only be used once and then thrown away.
Female condoms: has two flexible rings on each side connected by a sheath. One ring sits inside the vagina and the other ring sits outside the vagina. The female condom is designed to fit loosely inside the vagina. The outside ring provides extra protection from contact with the penis. They should only be worn once and then thrown away.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? No
Common brand names it goes by: There are many options. Common brands include Trojan, Skyn, and Durex.
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 20 in 100

This is a small dome made of silicone. It sits over the cervix, similar to a diaphragm, only smaller. In order to be most effective, spermicide should be placed inside the dome that sits against the cervix. The cervical cap must be placed before sex every time you have sex and should stay in place for at least 6 hours afterward. It should not be left in longer than 2 days after it is placed.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? Yes
Common brand names it goes by: FemCap
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 20 in 100

Natural family planning (NFP) methods are methods of avoiding or seeking pregnancy without the use of medications or devices. NFP methods teach a woman to identify the days of her menstrual cycle when she is likely to get pregnant if she has sexual intercourse (the fertile window), and the days of her menstrual cycle when she is very unlikely to get pregnant if she has sexual intercourse. This method helps you to identify when you are releasing an egg based on symptoms of your body. Learn more about natural family planning methods.
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? No
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 24 in 100

Spermacides are a type of medication designed to kill sperm. It comes in a gel, cream, foam, film, or suppository (a solid form that is inserted into the vagina and dissolves). This medication should be placed at least 15 minutes before intercourse begins on or near the cervix (a donut-like opening at the back of the vagina and the entrance of the womb). This method must be re-applied every time sexual intercourse occurs and is available over the counter. This method does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Does it need a prescription from a medical provider? No
Common brand names it goes by: There are many options. Common brands include Emko and Advantage S.
The estimated number of women who are sexually active who will get pregnant using this method every year: 28 in 100

*Condoms are the only form of birth control that also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

What about emergency birth control?

Emergency birth control, sometimes known as the “morning-after pill,” can work up to 5 days after unprotected sex or when your usual birth control method doesn’t work (like when a condom breaks or you forget to take a pill).

Emergency birth control works by preventing a pregnancy before it starts. Emergency birth control should not be used as your main method of birth control.

How do I get birth control?

Talk to your medical provider to get a method of birth control that needs a prescription. After you and your provider talk about the best option for you, they can write a prescription and you can pick it up at a pharmacy.

Many insurance plans, whether they are through your job or Medicaid, will cover birth control that needs a prescription at no cost or a low cost to you. Make sure to check with your insurance provider to see what brands and methods they will cover and how much your cost will be.

You can buy methods that don’t need a prescription from many pharmacies, supermarkets, and websites. These methods are usually not covered by insurance. This includes a version of the birth control pill that doesn’t need a prescription, called Opill.

If you don’t have insurance, there are places throughout the state you can go to get low cost birth control. You can search for these types of clinics near you on the Family Planning Elevated website.

In Utah, pharmacists can give birth control pills, patches, or rings to those who are 18 or older with no prescription. This is called a standing order. Anyone can purchase one of these birth control methods from a participating pharmacy without a prescription. Learn more on our Hormonal Birth Control Standing Order page.

More birth control resources:

Birth control methods—Office on Women’s Health
Birth control options: Things to consider—Mayo Clinic

Power Your Life topics