Health Department 

Birth control (contraception) is any method, medicine, or device used to prevent pregnancy.

The best way to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy among women who are sexually active is to use effective birth control correctly and consistently. Among reversible methods of birth control, intrauterine contraception and the contraceptive implant remain highly effective for years once correctly in place.

There are many different types of contraception, but not all types are appropriate for all situations.

The type of birth control you use depends on your health, your desire to have children now or in the future, and your need to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

There are several safe and highly effective methods of birth control available to prevent unintended pregnancy.

Some work better than others at preventing pregnancy. There is no "best" method of birth control. The birth control method that is right for you and your partner depends on many things, and may change over time.

Birth control works to prevent pregnancy in different ways, depending upon the type of birth control you choose:

• Female or male sterilization surgery prevents the sperm from reaching the egg by cutting or damaging the tubes that carry sperm (in men) or eggs (in women)
• Long-acting reversible contraceptives or "LARC" methods (intrauterine devices, hormonal implants) prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, prevent sperm from getting to the egg, or make implantation of the egg in the uterus (womb) unlikely.
• Short-acting hormonal methods, such as the pill, mini-pill, patch, shot, and vaginal ring, prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs or prevent sperm from getting to the egg.
• Barrier methods, such as condoms, diaphragms, sponge, cervical cap, prevent sperm from getting to the egg.
• Natural rhythm methods involve avoiding sex or using other forms of birth control on the days when you are most fertile (most likely to get pregnant).