Clinicians and health educators can answer questions and help you to decide. The methods are listed here alphabetically. Effectiveness is presented as the percentage of women who do not get pregnant during the first year of using the method. When used, it is a good idea to have condoms available if abstinence is stopped. Advantages are that the woman does not have to remember to take it at the time of sex, it can create more regular periods, decrease cramping, and occasionally improve acne.
Some women experience adverse side effects such as weight gain or depression.
The most dangerous side effects occur mostly in women who are over 35, overweight and smokers. They can be made from latex, polyurethane, or natural membranes. Advantages are that you use them only when you have sex, they decrease transmission of STIs, they are easy to use, they are sold without a prescription, and they are also available for free in many places. The condom is good for people concerned about sexually transmitted diseases and infections, or for those who do not want to take any medicines. Spermicidal foam or lubricant increases the effectiveness at preventing pregnancy and decreasing the transmission of STIs.