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Abstinence

Abstinence means not having sex (that means NO vaginal, oral, or anal sex). Being abstinent can also mean being abstinent for one night – like if you don’t have a condom and you’re not prepared How does it work to prevent pregnancy?The penis does not touch the vaginal area, so…
Categories: Birth Control, My Relationships, Sexual Health

Condoms 101

If you are having sex, condoms are the only method that provide protection against both unintended pregnancy and STDs! Types of condoms. The most important thing when choosing a brand is that the condoms be made of latex or polyurethane (plastic). Both of these types of condoms are effective in…
Categories: Birth Control, My Relationships, Sexual Health

Dual Method

Many people, who have vagina-penis sex, use dual protection. Dual protection means: Using 2 birth control methods—one highly effective for pregnancy prevention (like oral contraceptives/the pill, or an IUD) PLUS the male or female condom for STD/HIV prevention. The birth control methods that do the best job of preventing pregnancy…
Categories: Birth Control, My Relationships, Sexual Health

The Shot – Depo

The Shot, or Depo- Provera®, contains a large dose of a progestin hormone that stays in the body for 3 months. How does it work to prevent pregnancy? Progestin stops the ovary from releasing an egg, so there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize. The shot also causes…
Categories: Birth Control, My Relationships, Sexual Health

Pill, Patch or Ring

What is it and how does it work to prevent pregnancy? Hormones (estrogen and progestin) stop the ovary from releasing an egg, so there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize The hormones also cause thickening of the mucus in the cervix, making it hard for sperm to get…
Categories: Birth Control, My Relationships, Sexual Health

The Sponge

The birth control sponge is a soft, squishy sponge that is worn deep inside the vagina during sex. How does it work to prevent pregnancy? Spermicide (sperm-killing medicine) in the sponge kills the sperm, and the egg is not fertilized. The sponge also absorbs semen and sperm and physically blocks…
Categories: Birth Control, My Relationships, Sexual Health

Fertility Awareness: Rhythm Method

How does it work to prevent pregnancy? You identify the days each menstrual cycle when sex is most likely to result in pregnancy. Then, you avoid sex or use another birth control method (like condoms) on those “unsafe” days. How effective is it in preventing pregnancy? 25 in 100 couples…
Categories: Birth Control, My Relationships, Sexual Health

Sterilization

For people with uteruses, sterilization includes a surgical procedure that permanently blocks the fallopian tubes where the sperm and egg would normally meet. Because the sperm and egg never have the opportunity to meet, pregnancy cannot occur. For people with penises, sterilization includes a surgical procedure that permanently prevents the…
Categories: Birth Control, My Relationships, Sexual Health
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