There’s a plethora of birth control options to choose from when it comes to medication and LARCs. What is available in these categories differs based on whether they contain hormones, how often they must be taken or renewed, and their effectiveness rate. Hormonal options might contain estrogen, progestin (a form of progesterone), or a combination of the two. Estrogen prevents an egg from leaving the ovaries during ovulation. Progestin can also prevent ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. However, it’s important to recognize that medications and LARCs do not prevent STIs.

Birth control (or contraception) is any regimen or medicine used to prevent pregnancy.

Most birth control options are used by people with internal reproductive anatomy such as a uterus, vulva, and vagina, while only a few options are available for those with external reproductive anatomy such as a penis and testes. However, more research is being done to expand options for those with external reproductive anatomy.