Skip to main content

Common types of birth control

Making the right choice for you

There are a lot of things to think about when choosing a contraception (birth control) method. These include:
 

  • How safe it is

  • How well it works

  • Whether it helps protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

  • How easy it is to find

  • How convenient it is to use

Here are some of the most common types of birth control. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, talk to your provider. Or ask the pharmacist at your local pharmacy. 

Read More Read Less

  • Hormonal birth control contains estrogen and progestin or just progestin. These are hormones that keep a man’s sperm from joining with a woman’s egg by:

    • Preventing the egg from being released from the ovaries

    • Making the mucus of the cervix thicker, which helps block sperm

    This makes it almost impossible for a woman to get pregnant. 

     

    Hormonal birth control works well to prevent pregnancy. But, it won’t keep you from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

     

    Hormonal birth control includes:

     

    Oral contraception (the pill)
     

    There are two kinds of birth control pills:

    • “Combination pills” have both estrogen and progestin. These are the most common type of birth control pill.

    • “Mini-pills” only have progestin. 

     

    When you’re on the pill, it’s important to take it at the same time every day.

    In general, smoking and birth control pills don’t mix. If you smoke, be sure to ask your doctor whether the pill or another birth control option is right for you. Learn more about how safe birth control is.

     

    Transdermal (TD) patch

    The patch contains progestin and estrogen. You can wear it on certain parts of your body, and it releases hormones through your skin that prevent pregnancy. You’ll want to put on a new patch once a week.

     

    Vaginal ring

    The ring contains progestin and estrogen. The ring is small and flexible. And you wear it inside your vagina once a month, depending on the ring schedule you choose.

     

    Nexplanon® (etonogestrel) implant

    The implant is a tiny, thin rod (about the size of a matchstick). Your provider places the implant in your upper arm. It contains progestin, and can protect you from pregnancy for up to 5 years. This makes it a good choice for those who don’t want to take a pill every day. 

     

    Depo-Provera® (IM medroxyprogesterone) injection

    This is a birth control shot you get once every three months. It contains progestin, and is a good choice for those who don’t want to take a pill every day.

     

    Intrauterine device (IUD)

    An IUD is a tiny device—shaped like a T—that your provider puts into your uterus. There are two types of IUDs:

     

    • Hormonal IUD: contains progestin and stays in your uterus for 3 to 8 years, depending on which brand you use. 
    • The copper IUD uses copper to prevent pregnancy. Sperm rejects copper, so the copper IUD makes it almost impossible for sperm to get to the egg. The copper IUD can protect you from pregnancy for up to 12 years.

  • Barrier contraceptives physically block sperm from entering the uterus. They can also help keep you from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

     

    Diaphragm or cervical cap

    The diaphragm and cervical cap have slightly different shapes. But both go deep inside your vagina to cover the cervix during sex to prevent pregnancy. You insert a diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicide, which kills sperm, before sex. Your provider can help make sure you have a good fit, since both the diaphragm and the cervical cap come in different sizes. 

     

    Condom

    Condoms are thin, stretchy pouches that you wear on your penis during sex. Condoms can provide protection from both pregnancy and STIs. You can wear a condom during sex to keep sperm from getting into a vagina. You can only use a condom once. They are usually made from latex or plastic materials. You can learn more about how to use a condom.

     

    Internal condom

    Internal (or female) condoms are different from regular condoms. Before sex, an internal condom goes inside the vagina for pregnancy prevention. They cover the inside of your vagina, creating a barrier that stops sperm from reaching an egg. It can also go into the anus for protection from STIs.

     

    Spermicide and gel

    Spermicide is a chemical that you put deep inside your vagina before sex. The chemical stops sperm before reaching an egg to prevent pregnancy. Spermicide can come in different forms: foam, gel, cream, film or suppository (soft inserts that melt into a cream inside your vagina). For a better chance at preventing pregnancy, you can use it with other birth control methods, like condoms.

  • Emergency contraception is not a regular method of birth control. It’s a safe, effective way to keep from getting pregnant after having unprotected sex. It can also be used if your birth control method failed – for example, if a condom broke. Or if you forgot to take your birth control pills.

     

    There are two kinds of emergency contraception. You need to use both within five days of unprotected sex.*

    1. Your provider can insert a copper T IUD. This is the most effective type of emergency contraception.  
    2. You can take an emergency contraceptive pill (sometimes called “the morning-after pill”). There are two types of morning-after pills. Talk to your provider about which one is the best choice for you. 

     

     

Related content

For within 5 days of unprotected sex source

Planned Parenthood. Emergency Contraception. Accessed February 2, 2026.

 

If you continue, you’ll leave Aetna Better Health®.  Other websites may have different terms and privacy practices.

 

Go to Planned Parenthood

 

Also of interest:

You’re about to leave Aetna Better Health®

Links to various Aetna Better Health and non-Aetna Better Health sites are provided for your convenience. Aetna Better Health is not responsible or liable for non-Aetna Better Health content accuracy or privacy practices of linked sites or for products or services described on these sites.

Continue

You’re now leaving Aetna Better Health®

Aetna® provides info on the next page. If you don’t want to leave our site, choose the “X” in the upper right corner to close this message. Or choose “Go on” to move forward to Aetna.com.

Go on

You’re now leaving Aetna Better Health®.

CVS Health® provides the info on the next page. Aetna® is part of the CVS Health family of companies. If you don’t want to leave our site, choose the “X” in the upper right corner to close this message. Or choose “Go on” to move forward to CVS.com. 

Go on