1. USCCB BROCHURE on CONTRACEPTION

[1.1]  For decades Americans have been told—by the media, Planned Parenthood, sex educators, and activists who pro-mote abortion and “reproductive rights”—that contraceptives are the safe and effective way to prevent unplanned pregnancy. We’re told that contraception ensures a woman’s “freedom” from pregnancy and child-rearing so she can pursue her own goals in life.

Given the prevalence and power of these messages, it is not surprising that a majority of sexually active women in the U.S. have tried using some form of contraception at some point in their life. But many begin to doubt the rosy claims when they unexpectedly become pregnant, or are infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or experience serious side effects from hormonal contraceptives themselves.

The experience of those using contraceptives differs greatly from the advertising claims of the multi-billion-dollar contraceptive industry.

Here are a few of the hard facts:

• 1 in 3 teen girls will become pregnant within two years of initiating sexual activity, even while using contraceptives.

• Almost half (48.4 percent) of low-income cohabiting teens using the pill, and 72 percent of those using condoms as their primary method of birth control, will become pregnant within 12 months.

• 65 percent of women who reported unplanned pregnancies in a major French survey were using contraception.

• Experts in contraception now concede that pills are “an outdated method” and perfect use is impossible “for most humans”.

• 54 percent of U.S. women seeking abortions were using contraception in the month they became pregnant.

• An analysis of 23 studies on emergency contraception (EC) found no evidence whatsoever that increasing access to EC reduces rates of unplanned pregnancy or abortion

• A 63 percent increase in the use of contraception between. 1997 and 2007 was accompanied by a 108 percent increase in the abortion rate in Spain.

Numerous studies show that increasing the availability of contraception in a large population does not reduce rates of unplanned pregnancies and abortions, and may increase them. Top executives of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the largest U.S. abortion provider, have discussed and reported on this for decades. Yet manufacturers and suppliers continue to earn billions, foster false hopes, and subject girls and women to health risks and unexpected “crisis” pregnancies.

[1.2] How is it possible that increased use of contraceptives could lead to more unplanned pregnancies and abortions? People tend to take more risks when they are led to believe they can avoid the negative consequences of risky behavior through technology. Widespread contraceptive availability has actually led to more people becoming sexually active, at earlier ages, and with more sexual partners—hence more pregnancies. And while an unplanned pregnancy may at first seem like a major problem, most mothers find that in a matter of months the pregnancy ends with the birth of a unique and priceless little person, who can bring joy and laughter to his biological or adoptive family.

[1.3] Contraceptives may not reduce pregnancy rates, but they certainly do increase the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Casual sex, encouraged by widely available contraception, has resulted in about 60 million Americans being infected with one or more sexually transmitted diseases, many of them incurable and emotionally-devastating. The estimated cost of treating these illnesses is now $19 billion a year in the U.S. alone; but that figure is trifling compared to the emotional pain people experience when they learn they have an incurable STD—the anger, betrayal, anxiety, depression, humiliation, and fear of its effect on future relationships.

Of course, Planned Parenthood and secular sex educators recommend using condoms for protection against STDs. Yet condoms offer almost no protection against the epidemic of incurable viral STDs such as genital herpes and human papilloma virus (HPV), strains of which cause genital warts and virtually all cases of cervical cancer. And numerous studies have found that typical condom use offers inadequate or little protection against even bacterial STDs, such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

[1.4] Hormonal contraceptives themselves have inherent health risks. Synthetic hormones powerful enough to disrupt a woman’s reproductive system may affect every major system of her body. Depending on the type and strength of the hormonal contraceptive, over five percent of women experience some of the following symptoms: headaches, weight gain, acne, mood swings, depression, anxiety, breast pain, dizziness, severe pain during menses, a range of  bleeding problems, and a lack of desire for sex. In the case of Depo-Provera there can also be a 5-6 percent loss of  bone mineral density after five years’ use, which is only partially reversed in the years after discontinuation. Among the less common side effects of hormonal contraceptives are the following: blood clots in the veins, lungs, heart, and brain, potentially causing heart attack and strokes; breast cancer; potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy (in which the embryo most often implants in the narrow tube between the ovary and womb); liver tumors; and ovarian cysts.

The link between hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer gas been known for over thirty years.  The World Health Organization has classified synthetic estrogen and progestin in contraceptives as carcinogenic to humans.  According to a major meta-analysis, women who use oral contraceptives before age 20 have a 1,95 elevated risk of developing breast cancer.

Until 2002, the most common treatment for symptoms of menopause was hormone replacement therapy (HRT), using hormones similar to those in combined oral contraceptives, but in lower doses. As use of HRT increased (61 million prescriptions at its height), breast cancer rates rose over 40 percent from the early 1980s through 2001. In 2002, however, the Women’s Health Initiative trials in the use of HRT were abruptly halted due to findings of increased risks of breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots, and stroke. When the findings were published, many American women stopped using such HRT (down to 21 million prescriptions). The National Cancer Institute reports that breast cancer rates in women over age 50 then dropped 8.6 percent between 2001 and 2004.

[1.5] Reproductive health advocates downplay risks and side effects of hormonal contraceptives, weighing them on the same scale as the distressing and dangerous side effects one would be willing to tolerate in combating end-stage cancer or other life threatening disorders. In modern healthcare systems, pregnancy is very rarely life-threatening; such risk, when it exists, is usually from a pre-existing condition of the mother. Contraceptive advocates seem to consider pregnancy itself a fate worse than death; yet hormonal contraceptives have led to many deaths among otherwise healthy young women.

Advocates who downplay the risks to women from using hormonal contraceptives are thinking of statistics, not loved ones. How many parents are mourning the deaths of their teenaged daughters, like the parents of Alycia B. (14), Adrianna N. (17), Zakiya K. (18), and Michelle C. (18), just a few of those who died from massive blood clots while using Ortho Evra, the very popular contraceptive patch? “Instead of coming home [during college breaks] and being part of life here again,” Michelle’s mother told CBS News, “she came home and I had to bury her. It’s just horrible.”

About 130 deaths have been linked to the contraceptive patch. Over 2,400 women have claimed that the patch caused them to have blood clots that resulted in heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. In 2002, even before it went on the market, a former vice president of Johnson & Johnson, Ortho Evra’s manufacturer, warned of the patch’s dangerously high levels of estrogen. Another vice president quit in 2005 because his warnings concerning the doubled risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks due to the high levels of estrogen fell on deaf ears. The company has now spent over $68 million to settle hundreds of lawsuits.

Merck, manufacturer of the widely-promoted NuvaRing®, now faces 730 lawsuits in the U.S. for blood clot related injuries and deaths associated with its use. About 40 deaths linked to NuvaRing® use have been identified in the FDA adverse event database. Among these are young women like Rob B.’s wife Jackie, a mother of two, Frank M.’s wife Rosana, a “young, healthy and fit … runner and a vibrant mother of two,” and Heath H.’s wife Christina, also a young mother.

[1.5] Advocates continue to insist that these potent hormones have only a “contraceptive” mode of action. Yet nearly all of their drug labels list these four modes of action: (1) they may disrupt ovulation, preventing or postponing the release of an ovum; (2) they may thicken cervical mucus to inhibit the movement of sperm, potentially preventing fertilization; (3) they may slow transport of the newly conceived human embryo through the fallopian tube into the womb (causing the embryo’s death, and possibly the mother’s as well if an ectopic pregnancy is not detected in time); and (4) they may alter the lining of the womb, inhibiting implantation of the embryo who will then starve to death. Modes 3 and 4 cause early abortions, as can Ella, the latest emergency “contraceptive.” Ella’s composition is similar to that of the abortion drug RU-486.

[1.6] When advocates say that hormonal contraception is “safe,” they are speaking in relative terms only, because there are health risks associated with pregnancy. But this viewpoint assumes that women have only two choices in life—to contracept or become pregnant—and ignores choices that are healthier, safer, and more effective than contraceptive use: the choice of abstinence for single people and Natural Family Planning for married couples. The majority of teens have never had sexual relations. Chastity before and during marriage promotes self-respect, as well as self-control and other virtues needed for a fulfilling lifelong marriage.

The beauty and goodness of sex between husband and wife is a gift from God and has two purposes: to express and strengthen the loving union between husband and wife and to allow them to cooperate with God in the creation of children. Nothing should separate the connection between the two purposes. If spouses believe that they have a serious reason to avoid pregnancy, they are free to observe the wife’s natural signs of fertility and avoid sexual intercourse during the fertile time of her menstrual cycle, as explained in the modern science-based methods of Natural Family Planning.

God’s design for marriage protects women and men from great heartache, encourages a stable and loving environment for children, and makes great sense from a public health perspective. A companion pamphlet in this year’s Respect Life Program, “Life Matters: Love and Marriage,” presents the benefits of living in accord with God’s plan for love and marriage in more depth.

2. Progesterone Controversy

Since the Spring of 2012 increasingly vocal lobbies have claimed that "new science" has proven that the contraceptive effects of progesterone and progestins are not due to their (long-documented) effect of preventing implantation of the newly-fertilized human embryo.  There has been a vigorous and concerted effort to force drug manufacturers and those who provide advice on contraception to remove all reference to this effect from the "mechanism of action" sections of their literature and websites.  The political nature of this effort is obvious, and the "science" on which it claims to be based is highly controversial.  I include here not what is published in the mass-media, but what is presently taught to physicians-in-training in their textbooks:

Combination oral contraceptives suppress gonadotropins. The estrogen component prevents a rise in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), while the progestin component inhibits luteinizing hormone (LH). These dual actions lead to inhibition of follicle development and ovulation. The lowest amount of a progestin needed to suppress LH is known as the ovulation inhibition dose. Changes in the cervical mucus (which prevent sperm transport into the uterus), the fallopian tube (which interfere with gamete transport), and the endometrium (which reduce the likelihood of implantation) represent other important contraceptive effects of the progestin component. Because doses of a progestin are below the ovulation inhibition dose in the minipill, these other mechanisms become the primary mechanism. With both types of formulations, neither gonadotropin production nor ovarian steroidogenesis is completely abolished. Levels of endogenous E₂ in the peripheral blood during ingestion of high-dose combination OCs are similar to those found in the early follicular phase of the normal cycle.

The daily progestin-only preparations do not consistently inhibit ovulation. They exert their contraceptive action via the other mechanisms listed earlier, but because of the inconsistent ovulation inhibition, their effectiveness is lower than that of the combined pills. Clinicians should counsel their patients using the minipill that preparations should be consistently taken at the same time of day to ensure that blood levels do not fall below the effective contraceptive level.

The FDA on CONTRACEPTION

This guide gives the basic facts about the different kinds of FDA-approved medicines and devices for birth control. Ask your doctor to tell you about all of the risks and benefits of using these products.

If you do not want to get pregnant, there are many birth control options to choose from. No one product is best for everyone. The only sure way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) is not to have any sexual contact (abstinence). This guide lists FDA-approved products for birth control. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about the best method for you.

There are different kinds of medicines and devices for birth control:

To Learn More:

This guide should not be used in place of talking to your doctor or reading the label for your product. The product and risk information may change. To get the most recent information for your birth control go to:

Drugs

Go to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda (type in the name of your drug)

Devices

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/LSTSimpleSearch.cfm (type in the name of your device

Some things to think about when you choose birth control:

·           Your health

·           How often you have sex.

·           How many sexual partners you have.

·           If you want to have children in the future.

·           If you will need a prescription or if you can buy the method over-the-counter.

·           The number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use a method for 1 year. For comparison, about 85 out of 100 sexually active women who do not use any birth control can expect to become pregnant in a year.

·           This booklet lists pregnancy rates of typical use. Typical use shows how effective the different methods are during actual use (including sometimes using a method in a way that is not correct or not consistent).

·           For more information on the chance of getting pregnant while using a method, please see Trussell, J. (2011). “Contraceptive failure in the United States.” Contraception 83(5):397-404.

Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you:

·           Smoke.

·           Have liver disease.

·           Have blood clots.

·           Have family members who have had blood clots.

·           Are taking any other medicines, like antibiotics.

·           Are taking any herbal products, like St. John’s Wort.

To avoid pregnancy:

·           No matter which method you choose, it is important to follow all of the directions carefully. If you don’t, you raise your chance of getting pregnant.

·           The best way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is to practice total abstinence (do not have any sexual contact).

(Latex or Polyurethane)

What is it?

·           A thin film sheath placed over the erect penis.

How do I use it?

·           Put it on the erect penis right before sex.

·           Pull out before the penis softens.

·           Hold the condom against the base of the penis before pulling out.

·           Use it only once and then throw it away.

How do I get it?

·           You do not need a prescription.

·           You can buy it over-the-counter.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, 18 may get pregnant.

·           The most important thing is that you use a condom every time you have sex.

Some Risks

·           Irritation

·           Allergic reactions (If you are allergic to latex, you can try condoms made of polyurethane).

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

·           Except for abstinence, latex condoms are the best protection against HIV/AIDS and other STIs.

What is it?

·             A lubricated, thin polyurethane pouch that is put into the vagina.

How do I use it?

·             Put the female condom into the vagina right before sex.

·             Use it only once and then throw it away.

How do I get it?

·             You do not need a prescription.

·             You can buy it over-the-counter.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, about 21 may get pregnant.

·           The most important thing is that you use a condom every time you have sex.

Some Risks

·           Irritation

·           Allergic reactions

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

·           May give some protection against STIs, but more research is needed.

·           Not as effective as male latex condoms.

Spermicides containing N9 can irritate the vagina and rectum. It may increase the risk of getting the AIDS virus (HIV) from an infected partner.

What is it?

·           A dome-shaped flexible disk with a flexible rim.

·           Made from latex rubber or silicone.

·           It covers the cervix.

·            How do I use it?

·           You need to put spermicidal jelly on the inside of the diaphragm before putting it into the vagina.

·           You must put the diaphragm into the vagina before having sex.

·           You must leave the diaphragm in place at least 6 hours after having sex.

·           It can be left in place for up to 24 hours. You need to use more spermicide every time you have sex.

How do I get it?

·             You need a prescription.

·             A doctor or nurse will need to do an exam to find the right size diaphragm for you.

·             You should have the diaphragm checked after childbirth or if you lose more than 15 pounds. You might need a different size.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·             Out of 100 women who use this method, about 12 may get pregnant.

Some Risks

·             Irritation, allergic reactions, and urinary tract infection.

·             If you keep it in place longer than 24 hours, there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome. Toxic shock is a rare but serious infection.

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

Spermicides containing N9 can irritate the vagina and rectum. It may increase the risk of getting the AIDS virus (HIV) from an infected partner.

What is it?

·           A disk-shaped polyurethane device with the spermicide nonoxynol-9.

How do I use it?

·           Put it into the vagina before you have sex.

·           Protects for up to 24 hours. You do not need to use more spermicide each time you have sex.

·           You must leave the sponge in place for at least 6 hours after having sex.

·           You must take the sponge out within 30 hours after you put it in. Throw it away after you use it.

How do I get it?

·           You do not need a prescription.

·           You can buy it over-the-counter.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, 12 to 24 may get pregnant.

·           It may not work as well for women who have given birth. Childbirth stretches the vagina and cervix and the sponge may not fit as well.

Some Risks

·           Irritation

·           Allergic reactions

·           Some women may have a hard time taking the sponge out.

·           If you keep it in place longer than 48 hours, there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome. Toxic shock is a rare but serious infection.

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No

Spermicides containing N9 can irritate the vagina and rectum. It may increase the risk of getting the AIDS virus (HIV) from an infected partner.

What is it?

·             A soft latex or silicone cup with a round rim, which fits snugly around the cervix.

How do I use it?

·             You need to put spermicidal jelly inside the cap before you use it.

·             You must put the cap in the vagina before you have sex.

·             You must leave the cap in place for at least 6 hours after having sex.

·             You may leave the cap in for up to 48 hours.

·             You do NOT need to use more spermicide each time you have sex.

·             If you keep it in place longer than 24-30 hours, there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome. Toxic shock is a rare but serious infection.

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No

How do I get it?

·           You need a prescription.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, about 17 to 23 may get pregnant.

·           It may not work as well for women who have given birth. Childbirth stretches the vagina and cervix and the cap may not fit as well.

Some Risks

·           Irritation, allergic reactions, and abnormal Pap test.

·           You may find it hard to put in.

What is it?

·           A foam, cream, jelly, film, or tablet that you put into the vagina.

How do I use it?

·           You need to put spermicide into the vagina 5 to 90 minutes before you have sex.

·           You usually need to leave it in place at least 6 to 8 hours after sex; do not douche or rinse the vagina for at least 6 hours after sex.

·           Instructions can be different for each type of spermicide. Read the label before you use it.

How do I get it?

·           You do not need a prescription.

·           You can buy it over-the-counter.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, about 28 may get pregnant.

·           Different studies show different rates of effectiveness.

Some Risks

·           Irritation

·           Allergic reactions

·           Urinary tract infection

·           If you are also using a medicine for a vaginal yeast infection, the spermicide might not work as well.

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·           A pill that has 2 hormones (estrogen and progestin) to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs.

·           It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from getting to the egg.

How do I use it?

·           You should swallow the pill at the same time every day, whether or not you have sex.

·           If you miss 1 or more pills, or start a pill pack too late, you may need to use another method of birth control, like a condom.

How do I get it?

·           You need a prescription.

Prevent pregnancy by interfering with ovulation and possibly fertilization of the egg

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·                            Out of 100 women who use this method, about 9 may get pregnant.

Some Side Effects

·       Changes in your cycle (period)

·              Nausea

·          Breast tenderness

·                 Headache

Less Common Serious Side Effects

·                            It is not common, but some women who take the pill develop high blood pressure.

·                            It is rare, but some women will have blood clots, heart attacks, or strokes.

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·           A pill that has only 1 hormone, a progestin.

·           It thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from getting to the egg.

·           Less often, it stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.

How do I use it?

·           You should swallow the pill at the same time every day, whether or not you have sex.

·           If you miss 1 or more pills, or start a pill pack too late, you may need to use another method of birth control, like a condom.

How do I get it?

·           You need a prescription.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, about 9 may get pregnant.

Some Risks

·           Irregular bleeding

·           Headache

·           Breast tenderness

·           Nausea

·           Dizziness

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·       A pill that has 2 hormones (estrogen and progestin) to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs.

·       It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from getting to the egg.

·       These pills are designed so women have fewer or no periods.

How do I use it?

·       You should swallow the pill at the same time every day, whether or not you have sex.

·       If you miss 1 or more pills, or start a pill pack too late, you may need to use another method of birth control, like a condom.

How do I get it?

·       You need a prescription.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·       Out of 100 women who use this method, about 9 may get pregnant.

Some Risks

·       Risks are similar to other oral contraceptives with estrogen and progestin.

·       You may have more light bleeding and spotting between periods than with 21 or 24 day oral contraceptives.

·       It may be harder to know if you become pregnant, since you will likely have fewer periods or no periods.

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·       This is a skin patch you can wear on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper arm or back.

·       It has hormones (estrogen and progestin) that stop the ovaries from releasing eggs.

·       It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from getting to the egg.

How do I use it?

·       You put on a new patch and take off the old patch once a week for 3 weeks (21 total days).

·       Don’t put on a patch during the fourth week. Your menstrual period should start during this patch-free week.

·       If the patch comes loose or falls off, you may need to use another method of birth control, like a condom.

How do I get it?

·       You need a prescription.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·       Out of 100 women who use this method, about 9 may get pregnant.

Some Risks

·       It will expose you to higher levels of estrogen compared to most combined oral contraceptives.

·       It is not known if serious risks, such as blood clots and strokes, are greater with the patch because of the greater exposure to estrogen.

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·           It is a flexible ring that is about 2 inches around.

·           It releases 2 hormones (progestin and estrogen) to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs.

·           It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from getting to the egg.

How do I use it?

·           You put the ring into your vagina.

·           Keep the ring in your vagina for 3 weeks and then take it out for 1 week. Your menstrual period should start during this ring-free week.

·                            If the ring falls out and stays out for more than 3 hours, replace it but use another method of birth control, like a condom, until the ring has been in place for 7 days in a row.

·                            Read the directions and talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about what to do.

How do I get it?

·                            You need a prescription.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·                            Out of 100 women who use this method, about 9 may get pregnant.

Some Side Effects and Risks

·                            Vaginal discharge, discomfort in
the vagina, and mild irritation.

·                            Other risks are similar to oral contraceptives (combined pill).

Does it protect me from sexually
transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·           A shot of the hormone progestin, either in the muscle or under the skin.

How does it work?

·           The shot stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.

·           It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from getting to the egg.

How do I get it?

·           You need 1 shot every 3 months from a health care provider.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, including women who don’t get the shot on time, 6 may get pregnant.

Some Risks

·           You may lose bone density if you get the shot for more than 2 years in a row.

·           Bleeding between periods

·           Headaches

·           Weight gain

·           Nervousness

·           Abdominal discomfort

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

May be used if you did not use birth control or if your regular birth control fails. It should not be used as a regular form of birth control.

What is it?

·             These are pills with the hormone progestin.

·             They help prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex.

How does it work?

·             It works mainly by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary. It may also work by preventing fertilization of an egg (the uniting of sperm with the egg) or by preventing attachment (implantation) to the womb (uterus).

·             For the best chance for it to work, you should take the pill(s) as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

·           You should take emergency contraception within 3 days after unprotected sex.

How do I get it?

·           You can get Plan B, Plan B One-Step and Next Choice without a prescription if you are 17 years or older.

·           If you are younger than 17, you need a prescription.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

·           7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant after taking Plan B, Plan B One-Step, or Next Choice.

Some Risks

·           Nausea

·           Vomiting

·           Abdominal pain

·           Fatigue

·           Headache

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·           A pill that blocks the hormone progesterone.

·           It helps prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex.

How does it work?

·           It works mainly by stopping or delaying the ovaries from releasing an egg. It may also work by changing the lining of the womb (uterus) that may prevent attachment (implantation).

·           For the best chance for it to work, you should take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

·           You should take Ella within 5 days after having unprotected sex.

How do I get it?

·           You need a prescription.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

·           6 or 7 out of every 10 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant after taking Ella.

Some Risks

·           Headache

·           Nausea

·           Abdominal pain

·           Menstrual pain

·           Tiredness

·           Dizziness

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

Inserted/implanted into the body and can be kept in place for several years

What is it?

·             A T-shaped device that is put into the uterus by a healthcare provider.

How does it work?

·             The IUD prevents sperm from reaching the egg, from fertilizing the egg, and may prevent the egg from attaching (implanting) in the womb (uterus).

·             It does not stop the ovaries from making an egg each month.

·             The Copper IUD can be used for up to 10 years.

·             After the IUD is taken out, it is possible to get pregnant.

How do I get it?

·           A doctor or other healthcare provider needs to put in the IUD.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, less than 1 may get pregnant.

Some Side Effects

·           Cramps

·           Irregular bleeding

Uncommon Risks

·           Pelvic inflammatory disease

·           Infertility Rare Risk

·           IUD is stuck in the uterus or found outside the uterus.

·           Life-threatening infection

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·           A T-shaped device that is put into the uterus by a healthcare provider.

How does it work?

·           It may thicken the mucus of your cervix, which makes it harder for sperm to get to the egg, and also thins the lining of your uterus.

·           After a doctor or other healthcare provider puts in the IUD, it can be used for up to 5 years.

·           After the IUD is taken out, it is possible to get pregnant.

How do I get it?

·           A doctor or other healthcare provider needs to put in the IUD.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, less than 1 may get pregnant.

Some Side Effects

·           Irregular bleeding

·           No periods

·           Abdominal/pelvic pain

·           Ovarian cysts Uncommon Risks

·           Pelvic inflammatory disease

·           Infertility Rare Risk

·           IUD is stuck in the uterus or found outside the uterus.

·           Life-threatening infection

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

What is it?

·             A thin, matchstick-sized rod that contains the hormone progestin.

·             It is put under the skin on the inside of your upper arm.

How does it work?

·             It stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.

·             It thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from getting to the egg.

·             It can be used for up to 3 years. How do I get it?

·             After giving you local anesthesia, a doctor or nurse will put it under the skin of your arm with a special needle.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, less than 1 may get pregnant.

Some Side Effects

·           Changes in bleeding patterns

·           Weight gain

·           Breast and abdominal pain

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

For people who are sure they never want to have a child or do not want any more children

    Vasectomy

This method is for men who are sure they never want to have a child or do not want any more children. If
you are thinking about reversal, vasectomy may not be right for you. Sometimes it is possible to reverse
the operation, but there are no guarantees. Reversal involves complicated surgery that might not work.

What is it?

·           This is a surgery a man has only once.

·           It is permanent.

·           How does it work?

·           A surgery blocks a man’s vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to other glands).

·           Semen (the fluid that comes out of a man’s penis) never has any sperm in it.

·           It takes about 3 months to clear sperm out of a man’s system. You need to use another form of birth control until a test shows there are no longer any sperm in the seminal fluid.

How do I get it?

A man needs to have surgery.

Local anesthesia is used.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women whose partner has had a vasectomy, less than 1 may get pregnant.

Some Risks

·           Pain

·           Bleeding

·           Infection

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

The success of reversal surgery depends on:

·           The length of time since the vasectomy was performed.

·           Whether or not antibodies to sperm have developed.

·           The method used for vasectomy

·           Length and location of the segments of vas deferens that were removed or blocked.

Surgical Implant (also called trans-abdominal surgical sterilization)

What is it?

·             A device is placed on the outside of each fallopian tube.

How does it work?

·             One way is by tying and cutting the tubes — this is called tubal ligation. The fallopian tubes also can be sealed using an instrument with an electrical current. They also can be closed with clips, clamps or rings. Sometimes, a small piece of the tube is removed.

·             The woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked so the egg and sperm can’t meet in the fallopian tube. This stops you from getting pregnant.

·           This is a surgery a woman has only once.

·           It is permanent.

·           How do I get it?

·           This is a surgery you ask for.

·           You will need general anesthesia.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·           Out of 100 women who use this method, less than 1 may get pregnant.

Some Risks

·           Pain

·           Bleeding

·           Infection or other complications after surgery

·           Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

Can it be reversed?

Reversals require complicated surgery. Even though tubes can sometimes be rejoined, there are no guarantees. For many women, reversals are not possible because there is not enough of their tubes left to reconnect

Transcervical Surgical Sterilization Implant

What is it?

·             Small flexible, metal coil that is put into the fallopian tubes through the vagina.

·             The device works by causing scar tissue to form around the coil. This blocks the fallopian tubes and stops you from getting pregnant.

How does it work?

·             The device is put inside the fallopian tube with a special catheter.

·             You need to use another birth control method during the first 3 months. You will need an X-ray to make sure the device is in the right place.

·              

·             It is permanent.

How do I get it?

·             The devices are placed into the tubes using a camera placed in the uterus.

·             Once the tubes are found, the devices are inserted.

·             Since it is inserted through the vagina, no skin cutting (incision) is needed.

·             You may need local anesthesia.

Chance of getting pregnant with typical use

(Number of pregnancies expected per 100 women who use this method for 1 year)

·             Out of 100 women who use this method, less than 1 may get pregnant.

Some Risks

·             Mild to moderate pain after insertion

·         Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy

Does it protect me from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? No.

To Learn More:

This guide should not be used in place of talking to your doctor or reading the label for your product. The product and risk information may change. To get the most recent information for your birth control go to:

Drugs

Go to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda (type in the name of your drug)

Devices

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/LSTSimpleSearch.cfm (type in the name of your device)

UPDATED AUGUST 2012

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