These methods are used during intercourse to prevent pregnancy. They work by stopping sperm from getting to the egg. Some barrier methods can also be used to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These are the male and female condoms. Male condoms can also be used during oral and anal sex to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
The diaphragm is a round piece of soft, thin latex rubber with a firm, flexible ring that fits comfortably in the vagina. Because every woman is different, diaphragms come in many sizes. You can only get a diaphragm from a clinician or doctor who will fit you with the right size.
The diaphragm is put into the vagina so that it covers the opening to the uterus (the cervix). Once it is in place, the diaphragm should not be bother the woman or her partner during intercourse. The woman should be able to walk around with the diaphragm in place for several hours and not feel it.
The diaphragm does not protect against HIV or other STDs. If you are having sex with someone who might give you a sexually transmitted infection, use a condom.
Perfect user: A person that uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.
Typical user: A person who does not use their method of pregnancy prevention correctly.
With perfect use, the diaphragm is 94% effective.
That means that if 100 women use the diaphragm exactly the right way every time they have sex, 6 of them may get pregnant in a year.
With typical use, the diaphragm is 84% effective.
For women who don't use the diaphragm the right way every time they have sex, 16 women out of 100 may get pregnant in a year.
Women may have the following side effects if their diaphragm doesn't fit well. If you have any of these side effects, go to your clinician/doctor:
Toxic Shock Syndrome can be a serious health problem that comes from a bacteria that grows in the diaphragm if it is kept in place for more than 24 hours. This is why it is important to remember to remove it within 24 hours.
Rarely does a woman get TSS if she wears the diaphragm for 8 hours, but it is possible. If you ever experience the warning signs of TSS listed below, take out the diaphragm right away and go to your clinician or an emergency room.
Though the diaphram is very safe, the spermicide used along with a diaphram may not be safe for people who have sex with multiple partners.
Spermicide may cause changes in the vagina and anal area that make it easier to get HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have more than one partner, or your partner has more than one partner, it is better not to use spermicide.
The FemCap is a small, hat-shaped device made of silicon rubber. It fits over your cevix (the opening of the uterus) and helps stop sperm from meeting the egg. You should be able to walk around with the cap in place and not feel it. It should not bother you or your partner during intercourse.
The FemCap is used with contraceptive cream or jelly which kills the sperm. It comes in three sizes, so it must be fitted by a clinician or doctor.
The FemCap does not protect against HIV or other STDs. If you are having sex with someone who might give you an STD, use a condom.
Perfect user: A person that uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.
Typical user: A person who does not use their method of pregnancy prevention correctly.
With perfect use, the FemCap is 91% effective.
This means that if 100 women use the FemCap exactly the right way every time they have sex, 9 women out of the group may get pregnant in 1 year.
With typical use, the FemCap is 84% effective.
For women who don't use the FemCap the right way every time they have sex, 16 women out of 100 may get pregnant in 1 year.
Toxic Shock Syndrome can be a serious health problem that comes from a bacteria that grows in the FemCap if it is kept in place for more than 24 hours. This is why it is important to remember to remove it within 24 hours.
Rarely does a woman get TSS if she wears the FemCap for less than 8 hours, but it is possible. If you ever experience the warning signs of TSS listed below, take out the FemCap right away and go to your clinician or an emergency room.
Though the FemCap is very safe, the spermicide used along with a FemCap may not be safe for people who have sex with multiple partners.
Spermicide may cause changes in the vagina and anal area that make it easier to get HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have more than one partner, or your partner has more than one partner, it is better not to use spermicide.
To learn more about the FemCap, go to:
The female condom is made of a thin, but very strong, plastic called polyurethane. It prevents sperm from meeting with the egg.
Female condoms can help prevent pregnancy and STDs, including HIV. Female condoms can be used to help protect against STDs when you have vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Perfect user: A person that uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.
Typical user: A person who does not use their method of pregnancy prevention correctly.
With perfect use, the female condom is 95% effective.
That means that if 100 couples use the female condom exactly the right way every time they have sex, 5 of the women may get pregnant in a year.
With typical use, the female condom is 79% effective.
For couples who don't use the female condom the right way every time, 21 women out of 100 may get pregnant in a year.
There are no side effects to using the female condom.
The condom for women causes no serious health problems.
Some things to remember about the female condom:
To learn how to use the female condom, go to:
The male condom is a thin covering that fits over an erect penis. Condoms can be made out of three kinds of material:
Condoms made from latex and polyurethane can help prevent pregnancy and STDs, including HIV. Sperm and STD germs cannot pass through these types of condoms. Condoms are used to help protect yourself from STDs when you have vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Condoms made from lambskin help prevent pregnancy, but they do not protect against STDs. This is because STD germs are much smaller than sperm. STD germs can get through lambskin condoms because they have pores like our own skin.
Condoms come in different textures, colors and sizes.
Perfect user: A person that uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.
Typical user: A person who does not use their method of pregnancy prevention correctly.
With perfect use, the condom is 98% effective.
This means that if 100 couples use the condom exactly the right way every time they have sex, 2 of the women may get pregnant in a year.
With typical use, the condom is 85% effective.
For couples who don’t use the condom the right way every time they have sex, 15 women out of 100 may get pregnant in a year.
Some men and women are allergic to the latex in a condom. Others may be allergic to the lubricant or spermicide. If you are allergic, your skin may itch, burn or turn red. Or you may get a rash near the vagina, penis or anus.
You can try other brands to find a condom or lubricant that doesn’t bother you. If the spermicide in the condom is the problem, you can try a condom without spermicide. If you are allergic to latex, you can try the polyurethane condom.
The male condom causes no serious health problems.
Though the condom is very safe, the spermicide found in some condoms or used along with a condom may not be safe for people who have sex with multiple partners.
Spermicide may cause changes in the vagina and anal area that make it easier to get HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have more than one partner, or your partner has more than one partner, it is better to use a condom that does not already have a spermicide in it and avoid using any other type of spermicide.
It is very important to learn how to use condoms correctly, so that they don't break or fall out. For instruction about how to use them, to go:
Spermicides come in many forms:
Spermicides are put into the vagina before having sex because they kill sperm. The most common chemical used in spermicides is nonoxynol-9.
Spermicides are often used with condoms and they can be used alone. Spermicides are always used with the diaphragm, cervical cap, and female condom.
Spermicides do not help protect against HIV and other STDs. Use a condom every time you have sex to help protect yourself from these diseases.
Perfect user: A person that uses their method of birth control correctly all of the time.
Typical user: A person who does not use their method of birth control correctly.
With perfect use, spermicides are 85% effective.
That means that if 100 women use spermicides exactly the right way every time they have sex, 15 of those women may get pregnant in a year.
With typical use, spermicides are 71% effective.
For women who don't use spermicides the right way every time they have sex, 29 out of 100 may get pregnant in a year.
Some people have an allergy to spermicide. The allergy can cause skin rashes, burning, or redness in or around the vagina or penis. Trying a different brand or type of spermicide may help.
Some women may have more bladder infections when they use spermicides. If this happens, think about using a different method.
Spermicides do not cause any serious health problems for most people.
They can, however, increase your chance of getting HIV and other STDs if you have sex every day or are having sex with anyone who could give you an STD or HIV.
Spermicide may cause changes in the vagina and anal area that make it easier to get HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have more than one partner, or your partner has more than one partner, it is better not to use spermicide.
To learn how to use spermicides, go to:
The sponge is a small, round, soft piece of foam made out of polyurethane (a type of plastic). It contains the contraceptive foam nonoxynol-9, which kills sperm. A small amount of water is added to the sponge to make the contraceptive foam work.
The sponge covers your cervix (opening of the uterus) and helps stop sperm from meeting with an egg. The sponge also works by killing sperm. You should be able to walk around with the sponge in place and not feel it. It should not bother you or your partner during intercourse.
The sponge can be purchased at clinics, pharmacies, and supermarkets. It does not protect against HIV or other STDs. If you are having sex with someone who might give you an STD, use a condom.
Perfect user: A person that uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.
Typical user: A person who does not use their method of pregnancy prevention correctly.
With perfect use, the sponge is 91% effective.
This means that if 100 women use the sponge exactly the right way every time they have sex, 9 women out of the group may get pregnant in 1 year.
With typical use, the sponge is 84% effective.
For women who don't use the sponge the right way every time they have sex, 16 women out of 100 may get pregnant in 1 year.
Toxic Shock Syndrome can be a serious health problem that comes from a bacteria that grows in the sponge if it is kept in place for more than 24 hours. This is why it is important to remember to remove it within 24 hours.
Rarely does a woman get TSS if she wears the sponge for less than 24 hours, but it is possible. If you ever experience the warning signs of TSS listed below, take out the sponge right away and go to your clinician or an emergency room.
Though the sponge is very safe, the spermicide used along with a sponge may not be safe for people who have sex with multiple partners.
Spermicide may cause changes in the vagina and anal area that make it easier to get HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have more than one partner, or your partner has more than one partner, it is better not to use spermicide.
To learn more about the sponge, go to: