Information supplied by FDA Consumer magazine/April 1997December 2003

Male Condom: Protective cover placed over erect penis to block sperm release into thevaginal cavity during intercourse
Effectiveness: 89% when used correctly
Adverse Reactions: Can include irritation and allergic reactions, polyurethane condoms may be less likely to cause such problems in the case of latex sensitivity.
Convenience: May be inhibiting to spontaneity. Must be applied before intercourse used only once then discarded.
They offer the best protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Female Condom: Protective pouch placed vaginally to block sperm release into the vaginalcavity during intercourse
Effectiveness: 79% when used correctly
Adverse Reactions: Can include irritation and allergic reactions.
Convenience: May be inhibiting to spontaneity. Must be inserted before intercourse used only once then discarded
They may offer some protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Diaphragm with Spermicide: Dome shaped disk that when placed with spermicide, covers the cervix preventing sperm from reaching the uterus
Effectiveness: 83% when used correctly
Adverse Reactions: Can include irritation and allergic reactions, urinary tract infection, toxic shock syndrome-if left in place longer than recommended
Convenience: Inserted before intercourse and left in place at least six hours after. Can be left in place for 24 hours, with additional spermicide
They offer no protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Spermicide: Product containing nonoxynol-9 to kill sperm, placed vaginally separately or used with other contraceptive products such as a condom or diaphragm
Effectiveness: 50-80% effective when used alone and used correctly.
Adverse Reactions: Can include irritation and allergic reactions, urinary tract infection
Convenience: May be inhibiting to spontaneity. When used alone, must be inserted 5-90 minutes before intercourse
Offers no protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases if used alone

Oral Contraceptives (minipill): A progestin only medication that works by causing thickening of cervical mucous, preventing sperm from reaching the egg.
Effectiveness: 98% when used correctly
Adverse Reactions: Can cause irregular bleeding, weight gain, breast tenderness
Convenience: Must be taken daily at about the same time every day to achieve optimal effectiveness
Offers no protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Oral Contraceptives (combined): A medication consisting of estrogen and progestin that suppress ovulation.
Effectiveness: 98-99% when used correctly
Adverse Reactions: Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood and weight changes, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Convenience: Must be taken daily at about the same time every day to achieve optimal effectiveness
Offers no protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Oral Contraceptives (Seasonale-Duramed Pharma.): A medication consisting of estrogen and progestin that works by suppressing ovulation, is taken for 3 months in a row with no menstrual period until the 13th week.
Effectiveness: 98-99% when used correctly
Adverse Reactions: Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood and weight changes, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Convenience: Must be taken daily at about the same time every day to achieve optimal effectiveness.
Offers no protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Contraceptive Patch (Ortho Evra-Ortho Mcneil pharma.): A patch applied to the skin and worn weekly to supply estrogen and progestin, inhibiting ovulation, patch is removed for week 4 to allow for menstruation.
Effectiveness: 98-99% when used correctly. May be less effective in women weighing over 198lbs.
Adverse Reactions: Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood and weight changes, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Convenience: A new patch must be applied on the same day at about the same time each week. No patch is applied for week 4 in order to achieve menstruation.
Offers no protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing-Organon pharma.): A flexible ring inserted vaginally which releases estrogen and progestin to inhibit ovulation, ring is worn for 3 weeks, then removed during the 4th week to allow for menstruation
Effectiveness: 98-99% when used correctly
Adverse Reactions: Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood and weight changes, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Convenience: Ring must be inserted vaginally, worn for 21 days then removed for 7 days to allow for menstruation. A new ring is inserted on the 8th day after the 7 day menstrual period.
Offers no protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Injection (Depo-Provera-Pharmacia&Upjohn pharma.): A injectable progesterone that inhibits ovulation and prohibits egg implantation for 3 months
Effectiveness: 99% when injected at correct intervals
Adverse Reactions: Irregular periods, weight gain possible, breast tenderness, headaches
Convenience: A once per 3 month injection, Office injection required for ECU Student Health patients. Patients must return before the end of their 13th week for their next injection or a pregnancy test must be performed.
Offers no protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases