Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Your birth control needs may change throughout your life. To decide which method is the best for you, there are many factors to consider: effectiveness, safety, affordability, reversibility and how that method will fit into your current lifestyle.

Methods of birth control can be divided into two categories. Those that require a doctor's prescription and those that don't. Non-prescription birth control can be bought at your local drug store or supermarket. Many, such as the condom, will provide protection from sexually transmitted infections as well as from pregnancy.

The condom is a sheath made of thin latex, plastic, or animal tissue. It covers the male penis to keep sperm from joining the egg. Low cost and availability makes it a popular method. Options for women include contraceptive foam, cream, jelly, film or suppositories that can be inserted deep in the vagina shortly before intercourse to keep sperm from joining the egg. When used together with the male condom, this is a very effective method of birth control. The vaginal pouch (or female condom) is another option that has recently become available for women.

No discussion on contraceptive methods can be complete without mentioning abstinence. It is the only 100% totally effective method. It is available at no cost and has no medical or hormonal side effects.

Periodic abstinence ( or fertility awareness methods) can be learned by women to detect physical signs and help predict her fertile days. Intercourse is avoided during those days. Like any birth control method, there is a high failure rate if it is not used all the time the correct way.

All women, regardless of their birth control method, should have a yearly pelvic exam and pap smear to help maintain good health.

For more information about birth control methods contact  Genesee County Health Department Family Planning Services at McCree North at (810) 600-2439 or at Burton at (810) 237-4538.