Choosing a family planning method
Family planning
method
Condom for
men
Condom for
women
Protection
from
pregnancy
Protection
from STIs
★★
good
Possible side
effects
★★
good
Other important
information
Most effective when
used with spermicide
and lubricant.
Less effective when
the woman is on top
of the man during sex.
Diaphragm
(with spermicide)
★★
good
Most effective
when used with
spermicide.
Spermicide
★
some
Hormonal methods
Birth control pill, patch, injections
★★★
very good
Implants
IUD
Sex without
intercourse
(penis not inside
vagina at all)
Breastfeeding
(during the first
6 months only)
★★★★
best
★★★★
best
★★★★
best
★★
good
Fertility
awareness
Sterilization
Pulling out
(withdrawal)
Sponge
★★
good
★★★★
best
★
some
★★
good
skin
allergy
More effective when
used with another
barrier method like
diaphragm or condom.
nausea,
headaches,
changes in
monthly
bleeding
These methods may
be dangerous for
women with certain
health problems.
heavy and
painful
monthly
bleeding
This method may be
dangerous for women
with certain health
problems.
Some couples,
especially young
people, may have a
hard time using this
method.
To use this method, a
woman must give her
baby only breast milk,
and her monthly
bleeding must not
have returned yet.
To use this method
correctly, a woman
must understand
when she is fertile.
Women or men will
never be able to have
babies after this
operation.
More effective when
used with another
method like spermicide
or diaphragm.
yeast or
bladder
infections
Less effective for
women who have had
children.
301
A Book for Midwives (2010)