Preventing unplanned pregnancy and protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections are two of the many ways you can care for yourself.
Birth Control Methods
If you want to avoid a pregnancy or if you know you are not ready to become a parent, birth control is a safe and easy way to prevent pregnancy.
There are a lot of options, so talk to your healthcare provider or visit one of our partner clinics to learn more about birth control and find a method that is right for you.
These methods work really, really well:
Abstinence
Abstinence is 100% effective if you really don’t have sex. To protect yourself against pregnancy and STIs (sexually transmitted infections), abstain from vaginal, anal and oral intercourse 100% of the time.
IUD
Short for intrauterine device. Inserted into the uterus, it provides hassle-free protection for at least 3 years.
Implant
Hassle-free protection last for at least 3 years.
These methods work well with a little extra effort:
Shot
For use every 3 months
Nuva Ring
For use every month
Patch
For use every week
Birth Control Pills
For use every single day
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception (EC), or the “Morning After Pill” works best when used within 72 hours of unprotected sex to lower the chances of pregnancy.
EC can be purchased at most pharmacies without a prescription regardless of your age. You can also purchase it online if you are at least 18 years old.
Remember: EC is not meant to be your regular form of birth control.
These methods help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex:
Ella
Ella works best when taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex
Plan B and Others
These work best when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex
Barrier Methods
Birth control is great at preventing unplanned pregnancies. But it’s important to protect yourself and your partner against STIs (sexually transmitted infections) too. Condoms and other safer sex barrier methods are the best way to protect against STIs.
Condoms are the only method that prevents both pregnancy and STIs and are up to 98% effective when used correctly. More importantly, you can use condoms with any of the other contraceptive methods.
There are two types of condoms:
External Condoms
External condoms are thin, stretchy pouches that are worn on a penis during sex to help prevent STIs and unintended pregnancy.
Internal Condoms
Internal condoms go inside a vagina to help prevent unintended pregnancy and STI prevention or inside an anus for STI prevention.
Check out this great video from AMAZE to learn how to use an external condom.
Dental dams are latex or polyurethane sheets used during oral sex that reduces your risk of getting an STI. Dental dams do NOT prevent pregnancy
Check out our partner clinics to access free condoms and other sexual health resources to keep you safe.
STI Testing
If you are sexually active, it’s important that you and your partner stay healthy by getting tested for sexually transmitted infections. Testing is quick, easy, and non-invasive.
Visit one of our partner clinics to set up an appointment, or call 211 to find the nearest testing site near you.
Get More Information
Need even more detailed information about prevention and protection? Check out our Sexual Health Resource Guide to learn more.
