Implant:

Implant, also called a nexplanon, is a small rod that is inserted under the skin in the upper arm. It works by slowly releasing a hormone into the bloodstream, which then stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each monthly cycle. No egg, no pregnancy. It also thickens a woman’s cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperm to get into egg territory in the first place. Nexplanon is good for up to three years, so once it’s in, you don’t have to think about it for a long time.

• Effectiveness: more than 99 percent
• Requires a clinic visit and may be expensive up front.
• No protection against STIs

IUD (Intrauterine Device): 

The IUD is a small, flexible device that a medical professional places in a woman’s uterus. It prevents pregnancy by releasing a hormone (progestin) that affects ovulation (the release of an egg). The hormonal IUD lasts from 5 to 7 years, and most women with this IUD have lighter periods or no period at all. The non-hormonal IUD lasts 10 years and periods can be heavier.

• Effectiveness: more than 99 percent
• Requires a clinic visit and may be expensive up front
• No protection against STIs

The Shot (Depo-Provera):

The shot (you also hear it called “Depo-provera”) is an injection of the hormone progestin that’s given to a woman every three months. It works by stopping ovulation, and after a few months, most women stop having a period altogether (but it returns when a woman goes off Depo). This is another option that a woman doesn’t have to think about every day, but if you’re on the shot, you do have to make sure that you don’t miss a shot or get behind schedule, because this can reduce Depo’s effectiveness.

• Effectiveness: more than 99 percent
• Must be given by a medical professional every three months, so it requires a clinic visit
• No protection against STIs

Birth Control Pills (The Pill):

Also known as oral contraception, this hormonal contraceptive is a pill that’s taken at the same time each day. It releases hormones that prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus, which blocks sperm. A woman who takes birth control pills will still get her period each month. Birth control pills are only available by prescription, and if they aren’t taken every day, will not be as effective.

• Effectiveness: more than 99 percent if taken every day; only 91 percent effective with typical use, like skipping a day or more
• Effectiveness may be lessened when taken with some other drugs, like antibiotics
• Prescription must be given by a medical professional, so it requires a clinic visit
• No protection against STIs

The Ring (Nuvaring):

The Ring is a small, flexible ring (about 2 inches across) that a woman inserts into her vagina. It’s held in place by the walls of the vagina and can’t be felt by her or her partner once it’s inserted. It stays in for three weeks and slowly releases hormones that work the same way as the birth control pill. You remove it after the third week, the fourth week get your period, and then you start the cycle again with a new ring.

• Effectiveness: more than 99 percent when used very carefully, only 91 percent with typical use
• Prescription must be given by a medical professional, so it requires a clinic visit, but you insert and remove it yourself
• No protection against STIs

The Patch:

The patch is an adhesive like a sticker that’s treated with hormones (hormones that work similarly to The Pill or The Ring). The patch is worn on a woman’s arm, torso or buttocks, and it releases hormones that the body absorbs through the skin. Each patch is worn for a week and then replaced with a new one. The fourth week no patch is worn, and a woman gets her period, and then the cycle begins again.

• Effectiveness: more than 99 percent when used very carefully, only 91 percent with typical use
• Prescription must be given by a medical professional, so it requires a clinic visit, but you put it on and remove it yourself.
• No protection against STIs 
• Effectiveness: 88 percent
• Requires a clinic visit to get sized
• Does not protect against STIs