Planned Parenthood of Chester County provides clients with a variety of methods to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and/or unintended pregnancy. To discuss your options with a health care professional, contact us at any one of our four Health Centers in West Chester, Avondale, Coatesville or Phoenixville.

Abstinence

Abstaining from sexual activity is 100% effective in protecting oneself against STIs and/or unintended pregnancy.

Birth Control Pills

The Pill uses hormones similar to the progesterone and estrogen produced by a woman’s ovaries to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation), thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from joining egg, and alter the lining of the uterus to prevent possible implantation of fertilized egg. The Pill requires a prescription and must be taken daily. The Pill does not protect against STIs. Women who take the Pill correctly have less than a one percent chance of unintended pregnancy.

Condoms

Condoms are a rubber, plastic, or animal skin sheath worn over the penis during sexual activity. Condoms are 99% proven effective in preventing STIs and/or unintended pregnancy if used correctly.

Contraceptive Patch (Ortho Evra)

The patch works by releasing the combined hormones progesterone and estrogen into a woman’s skin over a three-week period to avoid unintended pregnancy. The thin patch is usually placed on the buttocks, stomach, upper outer arm, or upper torso. The patch is 99.7% effective in pregnancy prevention and does not protect against STIs.

Depo Provera

Hormonal injections are synthetic progesterone that is injected into a woman’s buttock or arm every 12 weeks to prevent pregnancy. It works by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickening the cervical mucus to prevent implantation. Of every 1,000 women who use Depo Provera, only three will become pregnant each year. Depo Provera does not protect against STIs.

Diaphragm

The diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped cup with a flexible rim that fits securely in the vagina to cover the cervix. It must be accompanied by the use of spermicidal cream or jelly to work effectively. Diaphragms work by preventing sperm from joining an egg. If used correctly, only six out of 100 women who use a diaphragm each year will become pregnant. The diaphragm does not protect against STIs.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency Contraception (EC), or the “morning after pill,” is a concentrated dosage of birth control pills that may prevent unintended pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The sooner EC is taken, the more effective it is. EC does not protect against STIs.

The Interuterine Device (IUD)

An IUD is a small plastic device that a clinician inserts in a woman’s uterus to keep sperm from joining egg, or prevents the possible implantation of a fertilized egg. The IUD may contain copper or hormones and can be left in place for many years. IUD’s are 99.2% - 99.8% effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. The IUD does not protect against STIs.

The Ring

NuvaRing is a small, flexible ring that a woman inserts deep into her vagina for a three-week period every month. NuvaRing works by releasing hormones similar to the progesterone and estrogen produced by a woman’s ovaries to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation), thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from joining egg, and alter the lining of the uterus to prevent possible implantation of fertilized egg. It is up to 99.7% effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. The NuvaRing does not protect against STIs.

Spermicides

Spermicides can be found in the form of contraceptive foam, jelly, film, or suppository. They are inserted deep into a woman’s vagina shortly before intercourse to immobilize sperm and to prevent sperm from joining egg. Spermicide is 71-82% effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. Spermicide does not protect against STIs.