When people try to prevent or space out pregnancy, they are practicing contraception or birth control. There are several broad categories of birth control. Failure of birth control is measured by what number of people who use this method nevertheless become pregnant. The more a person uses a method of birth control, the more likely failure becomes (since there are several ways to fail to use contraceptive methods correctly). See graphs in this New York Times article showing typical and perfect-use effectiveness for several methods.
Barrier methods of contraception include the condom, the internal condom, the diaphragm, the cervical cap, and the contraceptive sponge. Many of these methods may be used together with spermicide.
Hormonal methods of contraception include the birth control pills, the vaginal ring, the patch, the shot, and the implant. Some intrauterine devices also contain hormones, while one IUD has no hormones and is copper-based.
Behavioral methods include abstinence, withdrawal, and fertility awareness methods.
Surgical methods of contraception are tubal ligation and vasectomy and are usually permanent.
If a person fails to use a contraceptive method or their chosen method fails (e.g. a condom tears), there is emergency contraception, which can be used up to 5 days after. The “morning-after” pill is most effective within 24 hours of unprotected sex.
However, pregnancy can still occur even when using these contraception methods. In that case, people should consider whether they want to continue being pregnant and giving birth. They may also consider abortion. There are two main methods of getting an abortion – the abortion pill, and the in-clinic abortion. There are many limits placed on both of these medical interventions by law, including the length of the pregnancy and the reasons for abortion. Some states are moving to ban abortion or to create barriers to people getting this type of medical care.
