| Natural Family Planning | Safe as it is hormone-free; inexpensive; compatible with certain religious beliefs | Reliability of the method varies greatly; requires training and good follow-up; must have a partner who is willing to respect abstinence days; more difficult to use in women with irregular periods, breastfeeding mothers or teens | For many couples, about 75% effective but can be slightly more effective with perfect use |
| Diaphragm and spermicidal jelly | Safe for most women unless latex or other allergy | Not the most reliable method available; some consider this method to be messy; may cause UTI or irritation; must be fitted in the office and after weight gain/loss | Approximately 84% effective; costs about $200 for the fitting and device combined (so about $8/month if used for 2 years |
| Condoms and spermicidal foam or jelly | Safe for almost all women (except those with allergies to this method); protects against sexually transmitted disease | Not very reliable; partner must be willing to use | Approximately 92% effective; price varies, but about $1 per condom |
| The Pill-and oral contraceptive pill containing estrogen and progesterone | Reliable method if taken correctly; lighter and more regular periods; well-tolerated by most women | Not a good method for breastfeeding mothers as can decrease milk supply; not best choice for older women or smokers or women with serious medical problems; must remember to take same time daily | Approximately 92% effective; price varies, but about $20-$50/month
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| The NuvaRing vaginal ring which contains estrogen and progesterone | Reliable method if used correctly; lighter more regular periods; well-tolerated by most women; easy to use in a continuous cycle regimen (to minimize the number of periods per year). | Not a good method for breastfeeding mothers or smokers or women with serious medical problems; must be comfortable with inserting a vaginal ring | About 92% effective; cost is less than $50/month |
| The OrthoEvra Patch, which contains estrogen and progesterone | Reliable method if used correctly; lighter and more regular periods; well-tolerated by most women | Not a good method for breastfeeding mothers as can decrease milk supply; has a slightly higher risk of blood clots than other combined hormone methods | Approximately 92% effective but varies; less than $50/month |
| Essure | Hormone-free, surgery-free (in-office procedure) permanent; | Not all women have successful placement of both inserts; mild discomfort during procedure | Over 99% effective; covered by many insurance companies
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| Depo Provera | Very reliable if you come back in for the injections as scheduled; safe for most women; many women have very light or no periods on this method | May cause weight gain, acne, decreased sex drive, and depression in some women | Approximately 97% effective; covered by most insurances price varies, but less than $100 every 3 months ($33/month) |
| Nexplanon | Very reliable method; safe for breastfeeding; lasts for 3 years | Some women have side effects from the hormone such as extremely long periods; expensive up front cost if no insurance | Approximately 99% effective; costs about $950 (which works out to about $25/month)
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| Paraguard intrauterine device | Very reliable method; safe for breastfeeding; lasts up to ten years (but can be removed before then); no hormones | High up-front cost without insurance; must be placed by provider in the office; many women report heavier periods and increased cramping pain with menses, particularly in the first year of use | Over 99% effective; typically covered by most insurances; price varies, about $750 (works out to be about $6/month if used for entire 10 years) |
| Mirena intrauterine system | Very reliable method; safe for breastfeeding; lasts up to 5 years (but can be removed before then); causes very light periods in most women, with some women reporting no periods at all | High up-front cost; must be placed by provider in the office; causes irregular spotting and bleeding in most women for the first 3 to 6 months of use | Over 99% effective; typically covered by insurance; price varies, about $850 (works out to approx. $14/month if used for the entire five years) |