Women today have many safe and reliable choices if they want to prevent pregnancy. How much do you know about birth control options? Test your knowledge by taking this quiz.

For each question, pick the best answer.

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Which birth control method may cause menstrual changes?

Depo-Provera shot

Birth control pills

Mirena IUD

D all of the above

Which birth control method provides protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Diaphragm

Male condom

Birth control pills

Cervical cap

Besides the condom, which is another barrier method of birth control?

Diaphragm

Intrauterine device (IUD)

Vaginal ring

Withdrawal

How long are IUDs effective?

3 months

1 year

3, 5 or 10 years

10-12 years

Which birth control method contains both estrogen and progestin?

Depo-Provera shot

ParaGard IUD

Combination birth control pills

All of the above

Which birth control is considered long-acting and reversible?

Vaginal ring

Depo-Provera shot

IUD

B and C

Your health care provider may recommend avoiding birth control with estrogen if you have which medical condition?

High blood pressure

Blood clots

Migraines with aura

All of the above

Which of these methods of birth control is permanent?

Tubal sterilization

Vasectomy

A and B

None of the above

TOTAL SCORE

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You're right!

Birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin that will regulate your menstrual cycle. Your period may become shorter or lighter.
Depo-Provera and Mirena have progestin only. They may cause your period to be lighter, shorter or non-existent.

Nice try...

Birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin that will regulate your menstrual cycle. Your period may become shorter or lighter.
Depo-Provera and Mirena have progestin only. They may cause your period to be lighter, shorter or non-existent.

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Except for abstinence, latex condoms provide the best protection against STIs. Birth control pills, diaphragms and cervical caps do not protect against STIs.

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Except for abstinence, latex condoms provide the best protection against STIs. Birth control pills, diaphragms and cervical caps do not protect against STIs.

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Barrier methods of birth control block sperm from entering the uterus. They are used only when you have sex. Barrier methods include the diaphragm, cervical cap, male and female condoms, sponge and spermicide.

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Barrier methods of birth control block sperm from entering the uterus. They are used only when you have sex. Barrier methods include the diaphragm, cervical cap, male and female condoms, sponge and spermicide.

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Correct!

Mirena prevents pregnancy up to three years, Skyla up to five years and ParaGard up to 10 years.

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Mirena prevents pregnancy up to three years, Skyla up to five years and ParaGard up to 10 years.

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Combination birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. Depo-Provera contains progestin only. ParaGard does not contain hormones.

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Combination birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. Depo-Provera contains progestin only. ParaGard does not contain hormones.

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Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) prevents pregnancy for an extended time period without action from the user. IUDs prevent pregnancy for three, five or 10 years. Depo-Provera is considered LARC, but it is a shorter-acting than IUDs. Patients receive a shot every three months. The vaginal ring is not long-acting. The user must insert a new ring every three weeks.

Sorry...

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) prevents pregnancy for an extended time period without action from the user. IUDs prevent pregnancy for three, five or 10 years. Depo-Provera is considered LARC, but it is a shorter-acting than IUDs. Patients receive a shot every three months. The vaginal ring is not long-acting. The user must insert a new ring every three weeks.

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Birth control with estrogen increases risk for blood clots and may cause high blood pressure and severe headaches.

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Birth control with estrogen increases risk for blood clots and may cause high blood pressure and severe headaches.

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Correct!

Sterilization is a surgical procedure that blocks the pathway of eggs or sperm. In women, fallopian tubes are cut, tied, burned or clipped to prevent eggs from traveling from the ovaries to the uterus. In men, the vas deferens is cut so sperm can’t mix with semen. Both methods are permanent forms of birth control.

Sorry...

Sterilization is a surgical procedure that blocks the pathway of eggs or sperm. In women, fallopian tubes are cut, tied, burned or clipped to prevent eggs from traveling from the ovaries to the uterus. In men, the vas deferens is cut so sperm can’t mix with semen. Both methods are permanent forms of birth control.

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5 things to consider when choosing birth control

1. Convenience and effectiveness

“Think about your lifestyle,” said Heather Sommers, a Marshfield Clinic OB-GYN physician assistant. “Some women can remember to take a pill at the same time every day, but if you don’t have a regular schedule, your timing can get thrown off or you could forget.”

Other birth control options include:

• Natural family planning, which requires a woman to track fertility information and refrain from sex at certain times in her cycle.
• Barrier methods, including cervical caps, condoms, diaphragms, spermicides and sponges, which a couple must use every time they have sex.
• Weekly birth control patch.
• Vaginal ring, which the user replaces every three weeks.
• Depo-Provera, a shot given every three months.
• Nexplanon, a device placed in the arm every three years.
• Intrauterine device (IUD) placed in the uterus every three, five or 10 years depending on the type you choose.

Convenience goes hand-in-hand with effectiveness because “birth control methods that take away human error are more effective,” Sommers said.

Birth control that must be taken or changed regularly and barrier methods are less effective if not used properly. Natural family planning requires daily effort and may not be very effective, especially for women with irregular menstrual cycles.

About 18 percent of women who rely on condoms and 25 percent of women who use natural family planning become pregnant within a year, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

IUDs and Nexplanon are very effective because patients don’t have to do anything for years after the device is placed.

2. Fertility plans

Consider how long you want to prevent pregnancy.

Birth control pills, patches, rings and barrier method contraception can be stopped at any time.

Long-acting reversible contraception prevents pregnancy for an extended time period.

A Depo-Provera shot is effective for three months, but it can take a year for your menstrual cycle to become regular after stopping. It may not be the best option if you want to return to fertility quickly, Sommers said.

Nexplanon prevents pregnancy up to three years and IUDs for three, five or 10 years.

Vasectomy for men and tubal sterilization for women are permanent birth control options if you’re sure you don’t want to have children in the future.

3. Side effects

Consider the positive and negative side effects of some birth control methods.

The hormones estrogen and progestin in birth control pills, patches and rings regulate your menstrual cycle and may make periods shorter and lighter. Avoid birth control with estrogen if you have blood clots, high blood pressure, migraines or family history of breast cancer.

Progestin-only methods (Depo-Provera, Nexplanon and Mirena and Skyla IUDs) often make periods shorter, lighter or non-existent. Don’t plan on using Depo-Provera more than two years, because it’s known to decrease bone mass, Sommers said.

4. Cost

Health insurance offered by most employers, private insurers and the Health Insurance Marketplace covers FDA-approved birth control with no copay. Your insurance may not cover birth control if you work for a religious employer or a non-profit religious organization.

Generic birth control pills are typically inexpensive if you’re paying out-of-pocket. Implantable birth control has a higher up-front cost, but you won’t have to pay for it each month.

5. Sexually-transmitted infection protection

Most birth control doesn’t protect you from sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). If you may be exposed to STIs, use condoms every time you have sex, Sommers said.