For years, preventing pregnancy in the US has meant choosing between the lesser of several annoyances: remembering a daily ...

Birth control effectiveness varies by method, with implants, IUDs, and sterilization preventing pregnancy over 99% of the time. Pills, patches, and condoms are also reliable but depend more on correct ...

Fertility awareness may be effective for birth control if people use it correctly and consistently, particularly if they use a combination of methods. Fertility awareness is a method for recognizing ...

Natural family planning, barriers, hormonal methods, copper IUDs, and permanent sterilization have varying degrees of effectiveness. Family planning involves tracking fertility cycles and sexual ...

Education on birth control and its potential adverse effects is vital to women choosing the type that best suits them. Skepticism surrounding hormonal birth control has been increasing nationwide, ...

There are many different kinds of birth control and even more factors contributing to decisions about the best birth control method for you or your partner. They range from those that rely on ...

Nexplanon is a brand-name birth control implant that a healthcare professional inserts under the skin of your upper arm. It is very effective at preventing pregnancy for up to 3 years. Nexplanon ...

The world of emergency contraception extends far beyond the familiar Plan B option that many people immediately think of when considering pregnancy prevention after unprotected sex. While Plan B ...

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. This story first appeared in Healthy You - November 2025, The Gazette’s quarterly health publication.

Side effects are possible with any contraceptive. However, popular myths and misconceptions have led many to believe that the risks of certain side effects are more likely than the evidence suggests.