The Best Birth Control is the one you love.
The Shot
What is it?
Hormone shot given once every 3 months
What are the most common side effects?
Irregular bleeding; change in appetite or weight
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
Can make your period lighter, or you may have no period
How much does it cost?
$0-$120 depending on your insurance
How long does it last?
3 months
How effective is it?
94% if the shot is given on time
How do I get it?
Healthcare provider
Are there different types?
Only 1 type: Depo-Provera
Contraceptive Implant
What is it?
Small rod is placed under your skin
What are the most common side effects?
Irregular bleeding, especially 6-12 months after insertion; acne
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
Can reduce PMS symptoms, make your period lighter, & improve depression & endometriosis symptoms
How much does it cost?
$0-$850 depending on your insurance
How long does it last?
Up to 3 years after insertion
How effective is it?
99%
How do I get it?
Healthcare provider (inserted at a provider location)
Are there different types?
Only 1 type: Nexplanon
The Pill
What is it?
Small pill you take every day at the same time
What are the most common side effects?
Bleeding between periods; sore breasts
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
Can make your period lighter, reduce acne, period cramps, & pms symptoms
How much does it cost?
$0-$113 depending on your insurance
How long does it last?
1-3 months taken daily
How effective is it?
91%
How do I get it?
Healthcare provider prescription
Are there different types?
Many types, some contain a combination of estrogen & progestin, or it can contain only progestin
IUDs
What is it?
Small, t-shaped device that is placed in your uterus
What are the most common side effects?
Copper IUDs & hormonal IUDs have different effects: talk to your provider
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
Copper IUDs & hormonal IUDs have different effects: talk to your provider
How much does it cost?
$0-$900 up front, depending on your insurance
How long does it last?
3-12 years after insertion, depending on the type
How effective is it?
99%
How do I get it?
Healthcare provider (inserted at provider location)
Are there different types?
5 types. IUDS can be hormonal & made of plastic or nonhormonal & contain small amounts of copper
Condoms
What is it?
Thin, stretchy barrier device that keeps sperm from entering your vagina
What are the most common side effects?
Many condoms are made out of latex, which can cause an allergic reaction
STD/STI Protection?
Yes
How will it make me feel?
Does not affect your hormones & can help with premature ejaculation
How much does it cost?
$0-$7.80 per condom
How long does it last?
One time use must be used every time you have sex
How effective is it?
82%
How do I get it?
Over the counter (at pharmacies or at a clinic)
Are there different types?
Many types. Types for men and women made of latex or non-latex materials; some contain spermicide
The Ring
What is it?
Small, bendable ring you insert into your vagina
What are the most common side effects?
Bleeding between periods; breast tenderness
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
Can reduce cramps, PMS, symptoms, & acne
How much does it cost?
$0-$75 per ring, depending on your insurance
How long does it last?
1 month
How effective is it?
91% effective when used correctly
How do I get it?
Healthcare provider prescription
Are there different types?
Only 1 type: Nuvaring
Diaphram
What is it?
Cup that covers your cervix
What are the most common side effects?
Vaginal. irritation; increased UTI's
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
It does not affect your hormones & you should not be able to feel it while you have sex
How much does it cost?
$0-$90 per diaphragm, which can last up to 10 years
How long does it last?
Multi-use inserted before you have sex, but you can have sex more than once while it's in
How effective is it?
88% effective if you use it every time you have sex
How do I get it?
Healthcare provider prescription
Are there different types?
2 types. Caya brand diaphragms & MILEX brand diaphragms
The Patch
What is it?
Piece of plastic that looks like a band-aid & sticks to your skin
What are the most common side effects?
Spotting between periods; breast tenderness
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
Can make your period lighter, reduce acne, period cramps, & pms symptoms
How much does it cost?
$0-$44 per patch each month
How long does it last?
1 month
How effective is it?
91% effective if used correctly
How do I get it?
Healthcare provider prescription
Are there different types?
Only 1 type: Xulane
Fertility Awareness
What is it?
Types of contraception that stop pregnancies before they begin
What are the most common side effects?
Upset stomach and vomiting; breast tenderness
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
It can stop you from getting pregnant if another contraceptive fails at the moment
How much does it cost?
$0-$932 depending on the method & your insurance
How long does it last?
Up to 5 days after you had sex
How effective is it?
Emergency contraceptives can reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex
How do I get it?
Some require a prescription, some are over the counter, and some require insertion by a healthcare provider
Are there different types?
Many types. There are copper IUDS, the Ella pill, & the Plan B or Next Choice pills
Emergency Contraception
What is it?
Types of contraception that stop pregnancies before they begin
What are the most common side effects?
Upset stomach and vomiting; breast tenderness
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
Can stop you from getting pregnant if another contraceptive failed in the moment
How much does it cost?
$0-$932 depending on the method & your insurance
How long does it last?
Up to 5 days after you had sex
How effective is it?
Emergency contraceptives can reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex
How do I get it?
Some require a prescription, some are over the counter, and some require insertion by a healthcare provider
Are there different types?
Many types. There are copper IUDS, the Ella pill, & the Plan B or Next Choice pills
Tubal Sterilization
What is it?
Permanent procedure where a doctor closes or cuts the fallopian tubes so eggs can’t travel from the ovaries to the uterus.
What are the most common side effects?
Fatigue and dizziness (from anesthesia); abdominal pain, cramping or discomfort where the doctor makes cuts.
STD/STI Protection?
No
How will it make me feel?
It does not affect your hormones, and you will not experience changes to your period. Once you have the surgery, you don't have to think about it.
How much does it cost?
Tubal sterilization is nearly always covered by insurance. Without insurance, it can cost as much as $6,000.
How long does it last?
This is a permanent birth control method.
How effective is it?
99%
How do I get it?
Healthcare provider
Are there different types?
2 common types of sterilization procedures. The type of procedure and specific methods depend on the healthcare provider.
Where can I find more information about this method?
Before you make a permanent decision about birth control, it’s important to make sure this decision is right for you. MyDecision/MiDecisión is a free online tool created for individuals considering tubal sterilization and their options. The tool is offered in English and Spanish and takes 10-15 minutes. To use the tool, click on the link below.
Hey West Virginia, find a birth control provider near you.
Our Partners
The goal of WV FREE’s Love Your Birth Control program is to
“Know Your Options, Love Your Birth Control!”
Our program offers free trainings and materials to health care providers and the social service community on shared decision-making counseling for all the various forms of contraception.
Love Your Birth Control aims to reduce barriers to the full spectrum of contraceptive options available to those of childbearing age, as well as increasing patient satisfaction.
In the spirit of supporting personal decisions, the goal of this program is not for every person to be on birth control; but rather that if someone chooses to be on birth control, they are able to select the best birth control method for them. The Love your Birth Control program has been active in West Virginia since 2017.