Contraception

What types of contraception are there?

There are many different types of contraception that vary in how effective they are at preventing pregnancy, how much they cost, how easy they are to use and whether they also protect against STDs. Male condoms are the only birth control method that prevent STDs. However, even they aren't 100 percent effective.

Types of birth control your daughter may consider include:

• birth control pills
• Depo-Provera® hormonal injections
• hormonal implants
• the Hormone Patch (Ortho-Evra)
• the Vaginal Hormonal Ring (NuvaRing®)
• Intra-Uterine Devices (IUD)
• male condoms
• female condoms
• spermicides
• contraceptive sponges
• diaphragms
• cervical cap

The Center for Young Women's Health provides extensive guides on the details of each contraceptive method:

• Pros and Cons of each birth control method
• Success and failure rate of each birth control method
• Medical Uses of the birth control pill

What if my daughter's contraception method failed?

If your daughter's birth control method fails, she does have an option called emergency contraception, also known as the "morning-after pill." Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

Emergency contraception pills are taken in two doses. The first dose should be taken within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex, and the second dose should be taken 12 hours later.

The sooner she starts the medicine after unprotected sex, the more effective the treatment is. She can usually get emergency contraception from your health care provider or family planning clinics, through Planned Parenthood, at 1-800-230-PLAN, or by calling 1800-NOT2LATE.