Birth control (also called contraception) can help prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control available. Speak with your health care provider to help decide which type is right for you and your partner.

Different types of birth control can stop ovulation, block sperm from reaching the egg or prevent egg fertilization. Some birth control methods can protect against sexually transmitted infections. Internal and external condoms can help prevent sexual and body fluids from being exchanged during sex. They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are passed by skin-to-skin contact. Birth control use should be consistent to ensure the best outcome. Even when used correctly, some people will still get pregnant while on birth control.

• Birth control
• How birth control methods prevent pregnancy
• Effectiveness rate of birth control methods
• How pregnancy (conception) occurs
• Birth control: Myths about sex and pregnancy

Hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control contains progestin, or a combination of estrogen and progestin. These hormones prevent pregnancy by:

• Preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries
• Thickening cervical mucus so sperm can’t reach the egg
• Thinning the lining of the uterus so that implantation can’t occur

Some hormonal methods require you to take a daily pill. Others, like the patch, release the hormones slowly over a longer period of time. Hormonal methods do not protect you against STIs. Ensure that you and your partner are screened regularly if you are engaging in unprotected sex, and use barrier methods (such as condoms) to reduce the risk for STIs.

Learn more about types of hormonal birth control.

• Birth control: Pros and cons of hormonal methods
• Birth control hormones: The pill
• Birth control hormones: The mini-pill
• Birth control hormones: The patch
• Birth control: How to use the patch
• Birth control hormones: The ring
• Birth control hormones: The shot
• How to take birth control pills
• Birth control pills: missed or skipped periods
• Hormonal birth control: Risk of blood clots
• Hormonal contraception and using other medications at the same time (HealthLinkBC File #91a)

Barrier methods of birth control

If you do not wish to take hormonal birth control or experience side effects, you may want to consider a barrier method. Barrier methods prevent sperm from entering the uterus and reaching the egg. They include condoms, diaphragms, contraceptives sponges and cervical caps. Diaphragms and cervical caps are not widely available in Canada. It is difficult to find the spermicidal jelly that you need to use with these methods.

• Barrier methods for birth control
• Birth control: How to use a diaphragm
• Birth control: How to use the ring
• Cervical cap for birth control
• Contraceptive sponge for birth control
• Diaphragm for birth control
• Female condoms
• Intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control
• Male condoms
• Spermicide for birth control
• Tubal implants for permanent birth control

Natural methods of birth control

While arguably less effective, there are natural methods of birth control that may prevent pregnancy. Some women use breastfeeding for this purpose. Effectiveness of this method depends on the age of your baby, your period and if you are breastfeeding consistently. After 6 months, you should use an additional form of birth control, even if you are breastfeeding exclusively. Another method is fertility awareness, which requires you to track your menstrual cycle. The rate of unplanned pregnancies is much higher with natural methods than other birth control methods.

• Breastfeeding as birth control
• Fertility awareness

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or a failed contraceptive. Learn more:

• Emergency contraception
• Emergency contraception (EC) (HealthLinkBC File # 91b)

Find out what happens to your fertility after you stop using birth control:

• Getting pregnant after stopping birth control