Birth Control

The Feminist Women’s Health Center support a woman’s fundamental right to make her own decisions about her body, sexuality, and reproduction. The purpose of birth control is to allow a woman to prevent pregnancy, to determine the number and spacing of births, including the option of no pregnancies.

Women choose different methods for different stages in life. The various methods affect individual women differently. No one method is best for everyone. All birth control methods are listed below.

If a method is listed with a check mark () this means that this method is available at the Feminist Center. Get more information on our GYN & Wellness services or make an appointment.

Barrier Methods
Place a short-term physical or chemical wall between egg and sperm

	Cervical Cap or Cover
	Diaphragm
	Sponge
	Spermicides
	Female Condom
	Male Condom

Hormonal Methods
Add hormones to a woman’s body to alter her menstrual cycle & reproductive organs

	Birth Control Pills
	“Seasonale”
	Ortho Evra (The “Patch”)
	Vaginal Ring (The “Ring”)
	Emergency Contraception
	Depo-Provera (The "Shot")
	Emergency Birth Control (Emergency Contraception)

Long-term Methods
Contracepts for 3-10 years

	IUDs (Intra-Uterine Device)
	Implanon

Knowledge-Based Methods
Use knowledge, awareness and information to guide decisions about sexual activity

	Fertility Awareness
	Natural Family Planning
	Withdrawal
	Sex Without Risk

Permanent Methods
Physically alter reproductive organs, permanently

	Surgical Sterilization -- Tubal litigation (female)
	Surgical Sterilization -- Vasectomy (male)
	Non-Surgical Sterilization – “Essure”