Family Planning

Contraceptive Methods
 TABLE
Preconception Health...........................................................5
Reproductive Anatomy.........................................................6
How Pregnancy Happens.....................................................7
Methods of Birth Control......................................................8
Abstinence......................................................................9
Sterilization (Men and Women)............................................9
IUD (Intrauterine Device)...................................................10
Implants............................................................................. 10
Contracteptive Injection (The Shot)...................................11
Contraceptive Patch...........................................................11
Birth Control Pills (Combined Oral Contraceptives)............12
Vaginal Ring.......................................................................13
Condoms – Female............................................................13
Condoms – Male................................................................14
Diaphragm.........................................................................15
Spermicides (Creams, Jellies, Foams, Suppositories and Film)15
Natural Family Planning (NFP)............................................16
Emergency Contraception..................................................16
Notes.................................................................................. 17
Notes.................................................................................. 18
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Preconception Health
Preconception health is a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant. It means
knowing
how health conditions and risk factors could affect a woman or her unborn
baby if she becomes pregnant. For example, some foods, habits, and
medicines can harm your baby
— even before he or she is conceived. Some health problems, such as dia-
betes, also can affect pregnancy.

Folic Acid
All women of reproductive age should get 400 mcg of folic acid
each day to get enough folic acid to help prevent some birth
defects. Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make
new cells. Think about your skin, hair, and nails. Folic acid is
very important because it can help
prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.

Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sex-
ual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. Hu-
man trafficking is a crime against the person because of the violation of the
victim’s rights through coercion and because of their commercial exploitation.
Human trafficking does not necessarily involve
the movement of the person from one place to another. Call the National Human
Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or Text (SMS): 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”).

Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault is any unwanted sexual activity carried out by force, manipula-
tion or coercion. If you are raped or sexually assaulted, it is NEVER your fault
even if you were drunk or using drugs. Call the National Sexual Assault Hot-
line at 800-656-HOPE (4673).

Substance Use
A substance use disorder (SUD), also known as a drug use disorder, is a medi-
cal condition in which the use of one or more substances leads to a clinically
significant impairment or distress.

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Reproductive Anatomy
female Uterus
Ovaries
(womb) where
babies grow. contain egg cells

Cervix
opening at bot-
Fallopian Tubes
tom of the uterus
a tube from the ovary
to the uterus
Vagina pas-
sageway from outside
the body to the uterus

male Vas Deferens

tubes that carry sperm

Urethra
tube carrying semen to penis

Penis Seminal
delivers semen into the vagina Vesicles
stores sperm
in fluid
Testes Prostate Gland
produce sperm makes fluid that combines
with sperm
Scrotum
skin pouch that holds Semen
testes a mixture of fluid and sperm

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How Pregnancy Happens

male
During sex between a man and a woman female
(intercourse), the penis enlarges and becomes Each month, an egg is released from one
hard (erection) and is inserted into the vagina. of the ovaries (ovulation).

sperm egg

During male climax (ejaculation), millions of

The egg travels through the fallopian tube
sperm are deposited into the vagina.
on its way to the uterus.

If the sperm and the egg meet

in the fallopian tube, the egg is
fertilized.
If the egg is not fertilized, the egg
and the uterus lining pass out of
the body (menstruation or “pe-
The fertilized egg moves riod”).
through the tube to the uterus
(womb) and attaches to the wall.
Facts:
• A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have.
• Sperm production begins at puberty and continues
baby throughout a man’s life.
The fertilized egg grows • Sperm can live for 72 hours outside of a man’s body.
into a baby. • Any activity that puts sperm near the vagina can result in
pregnancy.
Symptoms of Pregnancy
• Missed period
• Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
• Breast tenderness
• Feeling tired
• Going to the bathroom (peeing) more often
If you have any of these signs, take a home pregnancy
test (available at your drugstore) and/or call your health
care provider or clinic.

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Methods of Birth Control

What is thepregnant?
of getting Birth Control Method
chance

Abstinence Implant Contraceptives Sterilization for

Nexplanon Women

IUD (intrauterine device)

Sterilization for Men Liletta, Mirena, or Para-
Less than 1 in 100 gard®

Contraceptive
Injection Birth Control Pills Vaginal Con-
About 1–6 in 100, (combined oral traceptive Contraceptive
Depo
depending on contracep- Ring Patch
Provera
the method tives)

Male Diaphragm with Female

Condom Spermicide Condom

About 12–28 in 100, Natural Family Planning Withdrawal Spermicide creams,

depending on the (NFP) jellies, foams, sup-
method positories and film

About 85 in 100
No Method

When should it be used? Emergency Contraception

After unprotected sex
or birth control fail- Emergency contraception may
ure. help prevent pregnancy when
DO NOT use as reg- used as directed.
ular birth control.
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Abstinence
Abstinence means not having sex (intercourse) or keeping sperm away from the
vagina.
Sperm anywhere near the vagina can cause a pregnancy. Many people use
abstinence at different times in their lives. If you choose to use this method,
you must talk about it with your partner. This method takes a strong commit-
ment from both of you to make it work.

How well does abstinence prevent pregnancy?

• Abstinence is 100 percent effective. If you don’t have sex, you will not get preg-
nant.

Sterilization
Both men and women can be sterilized. Sterilization is a
permanent method of birth control. If you are a
woman, after you are sterilized you will NEVER be able
to get pregnant. If you are a man, after you are steril-
ized you will NEVER be able to father a child. You
should not be sterilized unless you are sure that you do
not want any more children. To consent for steriliza-
tion, you must be at least 21 years old, understand
what sterilization means, and be able to make this de-
cision yourself.
Male sterilization is called a vasectomy. This surgery is
done in the health care provider’s office. The health
care provider cuts and seals the tubes that carry the
man’s sperm.
Female sterilization is called a tubal ligation. This surgery
may be done as an outpatient procedure. The fallopian
tubes that carry the woman’s eggs are cut and sealed.

How well does sterilization prevent pregnancy?

• Sterilization is 99 percent effective.
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How to use sterilization:
• Talk to your health care provider for more informa-
tion about this method of birth control.

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IUD (Intrauterine Device)

An IUD is a small piece of flexible plastic or metal that contains copper or a hormone.
Your
health care provider puts the IUD into the uterus through the vagina. The IUD
works up to 10 years. Your health care provider can remove it before the 10
years are up.

How well does the IUD prevent pregnancy?

• There is about a 99 percent chance you will not get pregnant while using an IUD.

How to use the IUD:

• To make sure your IUD is in place, check the string once a month, after
your period or if you have unusual cramps or bleeding. Never pull on the
string.

Implant
The implant is a small, rod-shaped contraceptive
(birth control). It is inserted under the skin
of the upper part of a woman’s arm. The
implant contains a hormone called pro-
gestin. The implant works by preventing
the egg’s release from the ovary.

How well does the implant prevent

pregnancy?
• There is about a 99 percent chance that
you will not get pregnant when using the
implant.

How to use the implant:

• Check the site where the implant was
inserted about once a month. Check
with your health care provider if you
cannot feel the contraceptive implant.
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Contracteptive Injection (The Shot)

Contraceptive injection is a birth control shot.

How well does the shot prevent

pregnancy?
• If you use it correctly every time, there is
about a 99 percent chance that you will not
get pregnant.

How to use the shot:

• Every 13 weeks, you should get a shot
from your health care provider.

Contraceptive Patch
The contraceptive patch contains hormones that
prevent pregnancy.

How well does the patch prevent

pregnancy?
• If you use it correctly every time, there is
about a 99 percent chance you will not
get pregnant.
How to use the patch:
• Once a week for three weeks in a row,
stick a patch to the lower abdomen, hips,
upper back, or back part of the upper arm.
After the third week, leave the patch off
for one week so you can have your period.

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Birth Control Pills

Combined oral pills and Pregestin-only pills are birth control pills that contain hor-
mones
that prevent pregnancy. One pill is taken every day for the month

How well does the pill prevent pregnancy?

• If you use it correctly every time,
there is about a 99 percent chance
you will not get pregnant.

How to use the pill:

• Take one pill every day at the same
time. You will be given instructions on
when to start your pills and what to do
if you miss one.
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Vaginal Ring
The vaginal ring contains hormones that prevent
pregnancy. No special accuracy is required for
ring placement; hormones are absorbed from
anywhere in the vagina.

How well does the vaginal ring pre-

vent pregnancy?
• If you use it correctly every time, there is
about a 99 percent chance you will not get
pregnant.

How to use the ring:

• Insert the ring anywhere into the vagina and leave it
in place for three weeks. After the third week, remove the ring and leave
it out for one week so you can have your period.

Condom – Internal (Female)

An internal (female) condom is a throwaway, single-use polyurethane covering that
is
placed into the vagina. It works by stopping sperm from reaching the womb.

How well does the internal condom prevent pregnancy?

• If you use it correctly every time, you have about a 95 percent chance of
not getting pregnant. The chance of pregnancy is even less if you use fe-
male condoms PLUS another kind of birth control.

How to use the internal condom:

1. Gently insert the inner ring into the vagina and feel it go up.
2. Place the index finger inside of the condom and push the inner ring as far as it
will go.
3. Make sure the condom is inserted straight, and is not twisted inside the vagina.
4. The outer ring should remain on the outside of the vagina.

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Condom – External (Male)

An external condom is a throwaway, single-use thin covering made of latex,
polyurethane,
or a natural membrane that fits over an erect penis. It works by preventing the
sperm from reaching the womb. External condoms come in many colors, styles
and sizes.

How well does the external condom prevent pregnancy?

• If your partner uses male condoms correctly every time, there is about a
98 percent chance that you will not get pregnant. The chance of preg-
nancy is
even lower if you use external condoms PLUS another
form of birth control.

Use a condom every time you have sex.

• Use a new condom every time you have sex.
If you notice a tear or hole in the condom, do
not use it. Do not open condom packages
with your teeth or other sharp objects.
• Do not wear more than one condom
at the same time.

How to use an external condom

1. Place the unrolled condom over the tip
of the erect penis. Hold onto the end to
leave a little space for semen.
2. Check the expiration date. If the ex-
piration date has passed, don’t use
the condom.
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Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a shallow, flexible rubber cup that fits high
inside the vagina. It covers the cervix and blocks
sperm from reaching the womb. A spermicide
(such as gel or cream) is also used with the di-
aphragm.
• It can be inserted in the vagina up to six hours before sex.
• Does not have side effects unless you are allergic
to latex or spermicide.

How well does the diaphragm prevent pregnancy?

• If you use it correctly every time, there is about a 94 percent chance you
will not get pregnant.

Spermicides
Creams, Jellies, Foams, Suppositories & Film
Creams, jellies, foams, suppositories and film all contain spermicides (a chemi-
cal that kills sperm). Spermicides work by blocking the cervix (opening to the
uterus) and by killing sperm.

How well do spermicides prevent pregnancy?

• If you use spermicides correctly every time, there is about an 82 percent
chance you will not get pregnant. The chance of pregnancy is even less if
you use spermicides PLUS another kind of birth control.

General information for all spermicides

• Do not use any product if the package was open when you bought it.
• Check the expiration date. Use the spermicide before it expires.
• Read the package instructions to be sure you understand the time
needed for the product to spread and work.

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Natural Family Planning (NFP)

NFP is a method where couples do not have sex on
“fertile days.” Fertile days are the days of the
month when a woman is most likely to get
pregnant. Fertile days are the days just be-
fore, during, and just after an egg is released
(ovulation). Using this method, a woman
records her temperature, type of vaginal fluid
and period (menstrual cycle) on a calendar
each day.
This record helps predict when she is most likely
to get pregnant.

How well does the NFP method prevent pregnancy?

• If you use this method correctly every time and have regular periods,
there is a 95-97 percent chance you will not get pregnant.

How to use the NFP method

• The health care provider will tell you how to use this method.

Emergency Contraception
Using emergency contraceptive can stop a pregnancy before it starts. Emergency contra-
ceptive
pill(s) or the cooper IUD can be used within 5 days (or 120 hours) of unprotected
sex. The hormones prevent the egg’s release and interfere with the movement of
the sperm. Emergency contraceptive should be used sooner rather that later to re-
duce the possibility of getting pregnant. If you are already pregnant, emergency
contraception will not work. Emergency contraceptive can be less effective for
women whose weight is greater than 160 lbs.

How well does emergency contraception pre-

vent pregnancy?
• If you use emergency contraception, there is about a 75 After using emergency
percent chance you will not get pregnant. Emergency contraception, it is a
good idea to begin us-
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of birth control.
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contraception works best if it is taken as soon as possi-
ble after unprotected sex.

How to use emergency contraception:

• Your health care provider will tell you how to take the pills.

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Notes

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Notes

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 Call: 1-855-4-SCDHEC
www.scdhec.gov/familyplanning

Famil y Planning
www.scdhec.gov/familyplanning

This publication was made possible by grant number FPHPA046220-01-00

from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population
Affairs.

CR-010232 4/20