Birth Control - Right to Know

Birth Control

Hormonal Methods | Barrier Methods | Long-Acting Methods | Other Methods

Birth control, also known as contraception, is the use of medicines, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy.

There are many different types. Some are reversible, while others are permanent. Besides abstinence (not having sex), the condom is the only form of birth control that helps prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) AND protects against pregnancy.

Find birth control/family planning services in Rhode Island here.

Learn about your healthcare Rights & Confidentiality in Rhode Island here.

Hormonal Methods

Hormones are chemicals made naturally by the body. The ovaries make two hormones: progesterone and estrogen. These hormones act as signals to tell the body what to do during the menstrual cycle. Hormonal birth control methods work to keep these hormones at levels that prevent pregnancy.

For people with certain conditions, the estrogen hormone, found in the combination pill, the patch, and the ring, carries more risk. When choosing a birth control method, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional about any conditions you have so that they can help you make a safe and healthy choice.

Barrier Methods

Barrier methods help prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from meeting an egg.

Long-Acting Reversible Methods

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) include birth control implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs). They are designed to last for 3 or more years, and they are over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, they do not prevent STIs, including HIV.

Other Methods

Source: Planned Parenthood, Essential Access FP Manual

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Can I get a girl pregnant if I pull out before I ejaculate?

Yes, it's possible. Pre-cum (also known as pre-ejaculate) is a small amount of fluid that comes out of your penis when you’re turned on, but before you ejaculate (cum). Oozing pre-cum is involuntary — you can’t control when it comes out, and you might not be able to feel it happening. Pre-cum doesn’t usually have any...

What are the signs of pregnancy?

For a lot of people, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Most pregnancy tests will be positive by the time you’ve missed your period. Other early pregnancy symptoms include feeling tired, feeling bloated, peeing more than usual, mood swings, nausea, and tender or swollen breasts. Not everyone has all of these symptoms, but...

Is there male birth control?

The only birth control options that are currently available for people with penises are condoms, withdrawal, and sterilization. There’s some promising research into other methods, but they’re still in development.

Can you get pregnant while on your period?

Yes, it is still possible to become pregnant while menstruating/having a period. If you have regular periods, you are less likely to get pregnant while on your period than at other times in your cycle, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Sperm can stay alive in the vagina for up to 5 days after sex. Having...

If I’m planning to have a baby, how soon after stopping birth control can I conceive?

Depending on the method, most women ovulate again between two weeks and three months after stopping their birth control method. As soon as you ovulate again, you can get pregnant. If this happens during your first cycle off your method, you may not have a period at all. Use a pregnancy test if you’ve had unprotected...

Can I get pregnant the first time I have sex?

Yes! There is a possibility of getting pregnant every time you have vaginal sex. It’s even possible to get pregnant before having a period. Pregnancy can happen when sperm gets into the vagina or on the vulva.

What type of birth control should I use?

You should use the birth control method that best meets your needs. Consider factors like effectiveness, potential side effects, cost, how easy it is to get – do you need a prescription or have to visit a doctor? You want to make sure that it’s easy for you to use. For example, if you think you...

Is using two condoms better than one to avoid pregnancy?

When it comes to condoms, two is definitely not better than one. Two condoms can create more friction, which increases the chances the condom(s) will break. If you want to be super safe, use condoms with another effective method of birth control.

Do birth control methods other than condoms reduce the risks of STIs?

No. Only condoms reduce the risk of both pregnancy and STIs. Birth control pills, patches, injections (Depo-Provera), intrauterine devices (IUDs), diaphragms, and any birth control methods other than condoms do not provide protection against STIs and HIV. You should use an external or internal condom in addition to any other method you use to prevent pregnancy.

Where can I find free condoms?

Many local organizations, and some health clinics may offer free condoms. Visit the Services in Rhode Island page to find organizations near you. Rhode Islanders can order condoms for free from the RI Department of Health. Each shipment contains approximately 10-15 condoms, depending on your preferences. The only requirement for requesting free condoms is that you...

The Pill

Most birth control pills have estrogen and progestin hormones. Some only have progestin. In both cases, the pill has to be taken every day, at about the same time, to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Since no egg is released without ovulation, the sperm has nothing to fertilize and pregnancy...

The Patch

The patch sticks to the skin, like a bandaid. It releases estrogen and progestin hormones through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. The hormones prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). If no egg is released, the sperm has nothing to fertilize, so pregnancy can’t happen. How...

The Shot

The hormonal injection (also known as “Depo-Provera”) contains the hormone progestin, which works in a few different ways to prevent pregnancy. It prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary), and since no egg is released, the sperm has nothing to fertilize and pregnancy can’t happen. Progestin can also thicken the mucus around...

The Ring

The ring is thin and flexible, and it goes inside the vagina. It slowly releases progestin and estrogen hormones to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary), and since no egg is released, the sperm has nothing to fertilize and pregnancy can’t happen. While people have regular periods when using the ring,...

Condoms

Free Condoms | External Condoms | Internal Condoms Condoms prevent pregnancy by keeping semen (the fluid that contains sperm) from entering the vagina. The external condom (sometimes called a male condom) is placed on the penis when it becomes erect. The internal condom (sometimes called a female condom) is inserted into the vagina before sexual activity. Using...

Birth Control Sponge

The sponge is small, soft, and round foam that is inserted into the vagina before sex. It blocks the cervix to keep sperm from reaching the uterus, and it also has spermicide in it, which is a substance containing chemicals to slow sperm down to make it harder for them to reach the egg. How...

Spermicide

Spermicide comes as a cream, gel, sponge, foam, insert, or film. The spermicide is inserted into the body before sex. Spermicide has chemicals that prevent pregnancy by killing sperm. How effective is it against pregnancy? Typical use: Prevents pregnancy 79% of the time Perfect use: Prevents pregnancy 82% of the time Using spermicide correctly and...

Diaphragm

The diaphragm is a silicone dome-shaped cup that covers the cervix to keep sperm out of the uterus. Spermicide, a substance containing chemicals to slow sperm down and prevent it from reaching an egg, is used with the diaphragm for additional protection. How effective is it against pregnancy? Typical use: Prevents pregnancy 83% of the...

Cervical Cap

The cervical cap is a small silicone cup (it looks like a sailor’s hat) that covers the cervix to keep sperm out of the uterus. Spermicide, a substance containing chemicals to slow sperm down, is used with the cap for additional protection. How effective is it against pregnancy? Typical use: Prevents pregnancy 86% of the...

IUD

An IUD (intrauterine device) is a tiny plastic T-shaped device, about ani nch long. It is inserted into the uterus and changes the environment to prevent sperm from reaching an egg. Once inserted, the IUD can stay and remain effective for 3-12 years, depending on which kind is used. The main types of IUDs are...

Implant

The implant (Nexplanon) is a small, flexible plastic rod about the size of a matchstick, which a nurse or doctor inserts into your arm. It releases progestin and progesterone hormones into your body that prevent pregnancy for up to 3-5 years. Sometimes the hormones released by the implant change your period. How it changes is...

Emergency Contraception

Emergency Contraception (EC) is a pill that works up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Some IUDs can be used as EC, too. If you have vaginal sex without using birth control or if your birth control method fails, you can still try to prevent pregnancy by using Emergency Contraception (EC). EC works up to...

Sterilization (Permanent Methods)

Sterilization is a procedure that permanently prevents pregnancy. For a female body, the procedure is called tubal ligation (sometimes called “getting your tubes tied”); for a male body, the procedure is called a vasectomy. Because this is a permanent method, most doctors in the United States do not perform these surgeries on people under the...

Fertility Awareness

Fertility awareness methods are all about tracking your menstrual cycles to determine your fertile window, or the days that you can get pregnant. To do this, you have to pay attention to your body, its patterns, and the way it changes when you are ovulating (releasing an egg). People who use this method can estimate...

Pulling Out (Withdrawal)

Pulling out (also known as withdrawal) is a way to prevent pregnancy that is exactly what it sounds like: pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation (before cumming). How effective is it against pregnancy? Typical use: Prevents pregnancy 78% of the time Perfect use: Prevents pregnancy 96% of the time Using the pulling...

Abstinence

Abstinence is not having sex. It is the only birth control method that works 100% of the time. If there is no sexual intercourse, there is no way for the sperm to fertilize an egg, resulting in pregnancy. How well does it work? Prevents pregnancy 100% of the time How to Use: Do not have...

Rights & Privacy

Your right to: Privacy/Confidentiality | Affordable Care Healthcare Services | Safe Schools As a young person in Rhode Island, you have the right to lead a healthy life by having full access to confidential and affordable health care. Your legal right to sexual and reproductive health care includes accessing birth control, condoms, emergency contraception, abortion,...

PrEP for HIV Prevention

Rhode Island PrEP Champions Network What is PrEP and what are PrEP Champions? PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medication (pills or shots) that dramatically reduce your chances of getting HIV through sex or injection drug use. It is important to talk to a healthcare professional to determine if PrEP is right for you. PrEP Champions are...

Birth Control /
Family Planning Services

Below is a list of healthcare providers across Rhode Island where you can get birth control, sometimes for free or low-cost if you are eligible. You can also get prescribed birth control by your own doctor or healthcare provider (if you have one). Learn about your healthcare Rights & Confidentiality in Rhode Island here. ***Beginning in...

STI, HIV & Hepatitis C Testing

Below is a list of healthcare providers across Rhode Island where you can get tested for sexually transmitted infections (including HIV and hepatitis C), sometimes for free or low-cost if you are eligible. You can also get a lab order to be tested by your own doctor or healthcare provider (if you have one). In Rhode Island,...

Free Condoms

Below is a list of places across Rhode Island where you can get free condoms, along with a way to get free condoms mailed to you, as long as you are a Rhode Island resident. Some of these facilities offer free condoms only to their own clients/members/students/patients, and some offer free condoms to any Rhode Islander....

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