On This Page:  A listing of the most common forms of contraception, their function and risks to both woman and unborn child.

                                                                                         FUNCTION & RISKS

 CONDOM:   A thin sheath, usually of latex, worn over the penis during intercourse.                                                          
 How it works:  prevents sperm from entering the woman's reproductive tract.                                                                 
Risks:  Fails 20% of the time for teens.  1 in 5 teen couples using condoms get pregnant in 1 year.  1;3 will get pregnant within 2 years.  AIDS - Condoms fail to prevent the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in 17 - 23% of couples in which one person had HIV.  STD's - some are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact despite condom usage.

The Pill:  A drug consisting of artificial hormones taken by mouth to prevent or end a pregnancy.                                   
 How it works:  1).  Attempts to block an egg from being released from the ovary (ovulation); therefore conception (sperm unites with egg) would not occur. 2)  Thickens a woman's vaginal secretions, making it difficult for sperm to travel up the reproductive tract.  3)  Changes the lining of the uterus (womb) so that an embryo (a newly conceived human being who exists from the moment the sperm unites with the egg) cannot implant into the wall of the uterus.  The embryo then dies.  This is an early stage abortion.                                                                                                                                                  
Risks:  High blood pressure,  blood clots (which can cause stroke or heart attack), cancers:  breast, skin, liver; gall bladder disease, impaired vision, death of the woman (estimated 1090 women die per year from the use of the Pill); abortion of newly conceived child.

The Shot (Depo Provera):  A long acting, synthetic hormone which is injected into a woman's arm or buttocks every 3 months. 
How it Works: Same three functions listed for the Pill (See Pill description.)                                                                          
Risks: Blood clots, stroke, heart attack and problems with future pregnancies.  Can cause death of the unborn child at the embryonic stage.

Lunelle:  A once a month injection of an estrogen and progestin blend given in the upper arm or buttocks.
How it works:  Same three functions listed for the Pill (See Pill description).
Risks:  High blood pressure, heart attack, blood clots, gallbladder disease, liver tumors. Can cause death of the unborn child at the embryonic stage.

NuvaRing:  A transparent vaginal ring containing estrogen and progestin which the woman inserts every month. 
How it works:  Same three functions listed for the Pill (See Pill description).
Risks:  Blood clots, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, gallbladder disease, liver tumors.  Can cause death of the unborn child at the embryonic stage.

Ortho Evra:   A 1 3/4 inch square patch applied to the skin, weekly.  The patch contains estrogen and progestin which are slowly released into the bloodstream.
How it works:  Same three functions listed for the Pill (See Pill description).
Risks:  Blood clots, heart attack, stroke.  Can cause death of unborn child at embryonic stage.

Norplant: A synthetic hormone given to a woman through six capsules implanted in the upper arm.  It can last up to 5 years. 
How it works:  Same three functions listed for the Pill (See Pill description).
Risks:  Blood clots, liver and gallbladder disease, diabetes, removal difficulties, scarring and severe infections.  Can cause death of unborn child at embryonic stage. 

Mirena:  A T-shaped implant which releases progestin into the uterus (womb) daily.  It lasts for 5 years. 
How it works:  Same three functions listed for the Pill (See Pill description).
Risks:  Ectopic pregnancy (which can be fatal), embedment of the device into wall of the uterus, perforated uterus, pelvic inflammatory disease.  Can cause death of unborn child at embryonic stage.

Preven ("Morning After Pill"):  A high dose of the birth control pill.
How it works:  Same three functions listed for the Pill (See Pill description).
Risks:  No long term studies done on Preven.  Severe pains in legs, stomach or chest, vision or breathing problems, yellowing skin, headaches, numbness, trouble speaking.  Can cause death of unborn child at embryonic stage.

Intrauterine Device (IUD):   A foreign body made of a non-reactive plastic inserted into the uterus.  Some include chemicals such as progesterone or copper.
How it works:  Prevents implantation of the developing embryo (newly conceived human being), by irritating the lining of the uterus.  This is an early stage abortion.
Risks:  Sterility, miscarriage, pelvic infections.  Can cause death of the unborn child at embryonic stage.

Vasectomy:  A surgical operation in which a man's (vas deferens) ducts are cut and blocked.
How it works:  Prevents passage of the man's sperm from the testes to outside of his body.
Risks:  56 - 60% increased risk of Prostate Cancer and 89% increased risk of Prostate Cancer if have vasectomy for 20 years or longer, auto-immune diseases link including multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, Addison's disease.

Tubal Ligation:   A surgical operation in which a woman's fallopian tubes are either cut and tied, coagulated, bound or clipped.
How it works:  Prevents egg from being released from fallopian tube.
Risks:  Increased menstrual problems, increased risk of hysterectomy (removal of entire womb).

This information was gathered from the following sources: A.M.A. Family Medical Guide, 3rd Edition, 1994, p. 650; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Medical Review, November 20, 2001, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Medical Review, October 3, 2001, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Is Depo-Provera For You? Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., January 1995; Medline Plus Drug Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; New and Coming Contraceptives Offer More Options for Women, May 27, 2002, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Physicians Desk Reference, 2002, Pgs. 2798-2801; Physicians Desk Reference 56th Edition, 2002, Pgs. 974-976; Physicians Desk Reference, 2000, Pg. 1335; Physicians Desk Reference, 2000, Pgs. 2188-2193; Progestins for Contraceptive Use, January 4, 2000, Medline Plus Health Information National Library of Medicine, national Institutes of Health; USP-DI, 1999, Volume 1, Pg. 1408, USP-DI, 1999 Volume 2, Pg. 800; USP-DI, 20th Edition 2000, Volume 1, Pgs. 2566-2575; USP-DI, 20th Edition, 2000, Volume 2, Pgs. 1261-1264; USP-DI, 20th Edition, 2000, Volume 1, Pgs. 1458-1468; USP-DI, 20th Edition, 2000,  Volume 2, Pgs. 672-674;   “The Pill,” “Vasectomy,” “Tubal Ligation,” by The Couple to Couple League, P.O. Box 11184, Cincinnati, OH 45211-1184; and from, “Is Sex Safe?,” “Condom Sense,” by LifeCycle Books, Fort Collins, Co, Toronto, ON 800-214-5249; and from The Facts of Life  by Brian Clowes, PhD of Human Life International, Front Royal, VA 1997.