Non-Hormonal Options

If you want to avoid hormonal birth control but still want a reversible form of contraception, you have several options:

• Copper intrauterine devices. The copper IUD works by killing sperm and preventing fertilization. Depending on the device used, it is effective for five or more years. The ParaGard IUD is effective for up to 10 years. You shouldn't choose a copper IUD, however, if you already have very heavy or painful periods, common in midlife women. This type of IUD is more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.

• Barrier methods. These include spermicides, the Today Sponge, diaphragms, Femcap, Lea Contraceptive, the cervical cap and condoms. They are not as effective as other methods. Barrier contraception methods typically prevent pregnancy 70 to 85 percent of the time, compared to more than 99 percent of the time with sterilization, implants and IUDs, and between 91 and 99 percent of the time with the birth control pill, patch, ring or injection, though using a spermacide can increase the effectiveness of barrier contraception. A major advantage of condoms, of course, is that when used properly they are the only form of birth control that also protects against most sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

  Barrier methods tend to be more popular with younger women—they are often used by couples when spacing pregnancies; just 8 percent of women 40 and older use a condom, and hardly any women 35 and older use any other barrier method.

This content was produced with the support of an educational grant from Conceptus, Inc.

Create Date: 5/7/07
Date Last Updated: 5/7/07