Which Birth Control Is Right For You?

Our new birth control chart compares all your contraception choices side by side so you can find your perfect match. From rings to rods, you can do all your research in one place. We've got cost comparisons, side effects, active ingredients, and much more. Plus, enter your email address (click above or below) and get an expanded version delivered to your inbox.

The Pill

Popular Brands: Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yasmin, Lo-Ovral, Loestrin
Approximate Cost: $10-$50 month
Usage: Oral pills, taken daily
Effectiveness: 98%
Best For: Temporary birth control

Get more info and options from the full chart. Download it here.

The Emergency Pill ("The Morning After Pill")

Popular Brands: Plan B, Next Choice
Approximate Cost: $30-$60
Usage: Oral pill, taken within 72 hours after failed contraception
Effectiveness: 87%
Best For: Backup to failed contraception

IUD

Popular Brands: Mirena, ParaGard
Approximate Cost: $200-$600 (device and insertion)
Usage: T-shaped device inserted into uterus by professional, lasts 5-10 years
Effectiveness: 99%
Best For: Women who wish to delay pregnancy 5 or more years

Ring

Popular Brands: NuvaRing
Approximate Cost: Up to $50/month
Usage: New plastic ring inserted into vagina monthly, remains in place for 3 weeks, then removed for 1 week (your period)
Effectiveness: 98%
Best For: Women who dislike daily pills

10 Ways to save on your birth control.

Shot

Popular Brands: Depo-Provera
Approximate Cost: $35-$75, plus exam fees
Usage: Injection administered by professional into upper arm or butt, lasts up to 4 months
Effectiveness: 99%
Best For: Women who cannot take estrogen or are breast-feeding

Patch

Popular Brands: Ortho Evra
Approximate Cost: $15-$50/month
Usage: Patch applied to skin weekly, 3 weeks of patches per month, then 1 week without (your period)
Effectiveness: 98%
Best For: Women who prefer topical medications, dislike daily pills

Implant

Popular Brands: Implanon
Approximate Cost: $400-$800 (device and insertion)
Usage: Matchstick-size rod implanted under inner arm skin, lasts up to 3 years
Effectiveness: 99%
Best For: Women who cannot take estrogen or are breast-feeding

Sponge

Popular Brands: Today Sponge
Approximate Cost: $9-$15 for 3
Usage: Foam disk inserted up to 24 hours before sex, can be left in up to 30 hours total, no prescription needed
Effectiveness: 84-91% for those who have not previously given birth, 68-80% for those who have Best For: Women who dislike daily pills, can't take hormones

Unsafe Sex: STDs and unplanned pregnancies are on the rise in women in their 20s and 30s.

Diaphragm

Popular Brands: All-Flex, Milex Wide Seal
Approximate Cost: $15-$50 plus office visit cost (fitting required by professional), $7-$18 for spermicide
Usage: Reusable latex or silicone disk inserted into vagina with spermicide before sex, lasts up to 2 years
Effectiveness: 92-96%
Best For: Women who dislike daily pills, can't take hormones

Condom

Popular Brands: Durex, Trojan, Lifestyles
Approximate Cost: $2-$6 for 3
Usage: Latex or lambskin sheath applied to male partner before sex, one time use only
Effectiveness: 98%
Best For: Women who have multiple partners, can't take hormones