BC Chart
Type of contraceptionAvailabilityFailure rateType of contraceptionHealth/side effectsOutside helpProtection against STDsResponsibility for use
Condom: latex sheathCheaply from any clinic or sex store on the island.Needs buying. Unspontaneous. Easy to put on but awkward to take off. May leave a "wet patch."2-10%: you may forget; can slip off, tear, and let sperm through.None unless you are allergic to material or spermicide.NoYes.Him.
Female condom: polyurethane sheathCheaply from any clinic or sex store on the island.Needs buying. Unspontaneous. Difficult to insert. Visible. Uncomfortable.15%: you may forget; can slip off, less likely to tear than a male condom.None unless you are allergic to material or spermicide.No.Yes.You.
Diaphragm: latex or plastic barrierAvailable through doctor.Needs forward planning. Messy. Needs to be used with spermicide, which may dull sensation.2-19%: may slip, get dislodged, develop holes.Can produce cystitislike symptoms, possible allergy to spermicide.Needs fitting and training for insertion: refitting if weight changes.Some.You.
Cap: small latex or plastic capAvailable through doctor.Needs forward planning. Messy. Needs to be used with spermicide. Unsuitable for some women.2-13%: may slip, get dislodged, lose its fit as cervix changes shape.May irritate cervical tissue and cause abnormal smears.Needs fitting and training for insertion..Some.You.
Spermicide: chemical jelly, cream, pessaries, foam, filmCheaply from any clinic or sex store on the island.Needs buying. Messy. Can make oral sex unpleasant.3-18%: not highly effective alone.Can cause allergic reaction.No.Some.You.
IUD: Small, usually T-shaped object.Through doctor or clinic.Once inserted, does not need forward planning.1.5-5%: It may slip out.Risks include PID, ectopic pregnancy, allergic reactions. Can cause heavy, painful periods. Easily removed. Does not affect fertility, although PID can.Needs fitting and checking.No.You.
Birth control pill (progesterone only)Through doctor or family clinic.No bar to spontaneity, but you need to remember to take it at the same time every day.1-2.5%: You may forget to take it.Risks include ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy. Can cause water retention or irregular periods. Suitable for women who can't take estrogen and who are breastfeeding. Does not affect fertility.Needs medical check-ups and prescription.No.You.
Birth control pill (combination hormones)Through doctor or clinic.No bar to spontaneity, but you need to remember to take it.0.5-2%: You may forget to take it.Risks include migraine, thrombosis, heart disease, cervical cancer, breast cancer. Can cause depression, weight gain, yeast infections, loss of desire. Can't be taken when breastfeeding. May protect against ovarian cancer and cysts, rheumatoid arthritis, fibroids, PID, and benign breast disease. Can reduce period pandas. Does not affect fertility.Needs medical check-up and prescription.No.You.
Rhythm method: charting and avoiding fertile timesTraining course.Ill health or medication may affect physical signs. Rules out sex for several days of the month. Some methods involve training.2-24%: You can misinterpret signals or ovulate early and get pregnant.None.Some methods involve training.No.Shared.
Withdrawal method: man withdraws before climaxFree.Man does not climax inside of you.16-23%: Sperm an easily leak before ejaculation.None.No.No.Him.
Condom: latex sheathCheaply from any clinic or sex store on the island.Needs buying. Unspontaneous. Easy to put on but awkward to take off. May leave a "wet patch."2-10%: you may forget; can slip off, tear, and let sperm through.None unless you are allergic to material or spermicide.NoYes.Him.
Female condom: polyurethane sheathCheaply from any clinic or sex store on the island.Needs buying. Unspontaneous. Difficult to insert. Visible. Uncomfortable.15%: you may forget; can slip off, less likely to tear than a male condom.None unless you are allergic to material or spermicide.No.Yes.You.
Diaphragm: latex or plastic barrierAvailable through doctor.Needs forward planning. Messy. Needs to be used with spermicide, which may dull sensation.2-19%: may slip, get dislodged, develop holes.Can produce cystitislike symptoms, possible allergy to spermicide.Needs fitting and training for insertion: refitting if weight changes.Some.You.
Cap: small latex or plastic capAvailable through doctor.Needs forward planning. Messy. Needs to be used with spermicide. Unsuitable for some women.2-13%: may slip, get dislodged, lose its fit as cervix changes shape.May irritate cervical tissue and cause abnormal smears.Needs fitting and training for insertion..Some.You.
Spermicide: chemical jelly, cream, pessaries, foam, filmCheaply from any clinic or sex store on the island.Needs buying. Messy. Can make oral sex unpleasant.3-18%: not highly effective alone.Can cause allergic reaction.No.Some.You.
IUD: Small, usually T-shaped object.Through doctor or clinic.Once inserted, does not need forward planning.1.5-5%: It may slip out.Risks include PID, ectopic pregnancy, allergic reactions. Can cause heavy, painful periods. Easily removed. Does not affect fertility, although PID can.Needs fitting and checking.No.You.
Birth control pill (progesterone only)Through doctor or family clinic.No bar to spontaneity, but you need to remember to take it at the same time every day.1-2.5%: You may forget to take it.Risks include ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy. Can cause water retention or irregular periods. Suitable for women who can't take estrogen and who are breastfeeding. Does not affect fertility.Needs medical check-ups and prescription.No.You.
Birth control pill (combination hormones)Through doctor or clinic.No bar to spontaneity, but you need to remember to take it.0.5-2%: You may forget to take it.Risks include migraine, thrombosis, heart disease, cervical cancer, breast cancer. Can cause depression, weight gain, yeast infections, loss of desire. Can't be taken when breastfeeding. May protect against ovarian cancer and cysts, rheumatoid arthritis, fibroids, PID, and benign breast disease. Can reduce period pandas. Does not affect fertility.Needs medical check-up and prescription.No.You.
Rhythm method: charting and avoiding fertile timesTraining course.Ill health or medication may affect physical signs. Rules out sex for several days of the month. Some methods involve training.2-24%: You can misinterpret signals or ovulate early and get pregnant.None.Some methods involve training.No.Shared.
Withdrawal method: man withdraws before climaxFree.Man does not climax inside of you.16-23%: Sperm an easily leak before ejaculation.None.No.No.Him.