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Sexual Health Center

Birth Control Health Center

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Birth Control Health Center

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Birth Control - Overview

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You can buy:

Condoms, sponges, and spermicides in drugstores without a prescription.
Emergency contraception in most drugstores without a prescription. But you do need proof that you are 17 or older.

You need to see a doctor or other health professional to:

Get a prescription for birth control pills and other methods that use hormones.
Have an IUD inserted.
Be fitted for a diaphragm or cervical cap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about birth control:	What is birth control? How does birth control prevent pregnancy? What are the different methods of birth control? How well do the different methods work? What methods help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? What is emergency contraception?
For teens only:	How does pregnancy happen? How does birth control prevent pregnancy? What are common myths about sex and pregnancy? What should I do if I miss or skip a birth control pill?
Using birth control:	What should I know about: Condoms (male and female)? Female barriers (diaphragm, cap, shield, or sponge)? Fertility awareness (natural family planning)? Combination estrogen plus progestin methods (pill, patch, or ring)? Progestin-only method (pill or shot)? Intrauterine device (IUD)? Tubal ligation and tubal implants for permanent birth control? Vasectomy for permanent birth control? Emergency contraception after unprotected sex?
Advantages and disadvantages:	What are the pros and cons of hormonal birth control? What are the pros and cons of hormone injections for birth control? What are the pros and cons of IUDs? What are the pros and cons of the hormonal implant for birth control?
How-to questions:	How do I use a condom? How do I use a female condom? How do I use a hormonal skin patch? How do I use a hormonal vaginal ring?
Ongoing concerns:	Do birth control pills cause cancer? What should I do if I miss or skip a birth control pill? For a planned pregnancy, how long do I wait after stopping birth control to try to become pregnant?

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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 13, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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