Contraception

What kind of birth control is right for you?

'Safe' Days In Menstrual Cycle
Guidelines for getting pregnant -- or avoiding pregnancy -- usually assume an average woman is fertile between days 10 and 17 of her menstrual cycle. But researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences have demonstrated what some accidentally pregnant women may have long suspected:

Preventing pregnancy tips

• Condoms are considered to be safe; 98-99% over a year of 'perfect use'. So, if 100 couples use a condom for 5 years, one in 15 will get pregnant anyway. Out of 10 million couples using the condom THREE QUARTERS of a MILLION will still get pregnant. Gives another dimension to 99% safe doesn't it? Use the condom in combination with spermicidal jelly to be extra safe!
• Check expiration date and check to see that the package is intact before use on all contraception you use.
• Store condoms in a cool, dry place because condoms exposed to air, heat and light are more likely to break. Don't keep condoms in a billfold, back pocket or glove compartment for an extended period of time. This can cause condom deterioration and breakage as well.
• Proper usage can increase a condom's protection. Avoid sharp objects, fingernails and air bubbles. Be sure there is plenty of lubrication.
• Alcohol and other drugs lower inhibitions, seriously affecting judgement and can lead to unsafe sex.
• If a condom breaks, immediate withdrawal is recommended. A new condom can then be used. To reduce the risk of pregnancy, a woman can immediately insert two applications of spermicide into the vagina.
• If you feel uncomfortable discussing sex and birth control with your partner, then you shouldn't be having sex! Be straightforward and talk about sex beforehand so both partners know what to expect
• Some birth control methods like the Pill take time to become effective, so it helps to decide beforehand if this is the contraception for you. .

Free brochures
These brochures are released by Public Health Seattle & King County. If you can't read the free birth control brochures below you probably dont have Acrobat Reader.

	'the pill' Learn how to get started on birth control pills, what to expect with common side effects, what to do if you miss a pill, and more.

	'depo' Learn how to get started with the Depo Provera shot, its side effects, its benefits and common questions.

'EC (Morning after pill)' You actually have up to 5 days after sex to use EC. Learn how Emergency Contraception (EC) works, how to get EC, side effects, how to avoid getting sick, common questions.

'the condom' Learn how to use a condom, the Condom Do's and Don'ts, side effects, benefits for using one, what to do if it breaks and more.

	'i.u.d.' Learn how to get started with the IUD, benefits and disadvantages, and common questions.

'the patch' Learn how the Contraceptive Patch works, how to apply and remove the patch, what to do if you have a problem and more.

'the ring' Learn about the contraceptive ring, how to insert and remove the ring, the benefits and disadvantages of using the ring and more.

'sterilization' Learn about male and female sterilization, what to expect, benefits and risks, common questions and more.

Morning After Pill
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