Birth Control

What Is Birth Control?

Birth control -- also called contraception -- is a way to prevent pregnancy during sexual intercourse. There are several birth control methods that work either to prevent the woman's ovary from releasing an egg, prevent the male's sperm from fertilizing the egg, or prevent implantation of the egg in the lining of the uterus. Not having sex is also considered a form of birth control.

Know Your Options

More Options

What’s the Best Birth Control for You?

Many factors may play into your choice of contraception.

What You Need to Know

Emergency contraception (EC) prevents pregnancy within about 72 hours or five days of unprotected sex. The most common form of EC is a pill known as “Plan B” or the morning-after pill, but an IUD inserted after sex can also be EC.

Learn More about EC

Can Being Overweight Affect
How the Pill Works?

Learn More

Try AskMD

Get personalized advice for choosing the birth control that's right for you

75%
The percentage of unplanned pregnancies in women over 40

View all birth control experts

Birth Control Q&As

Carlos A. Pottinger, MD OBGYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology) Citrus Memorial Hospital	Q	How soon can I get pregnant after birth control?
	A	If you’re planning to get pregnant, think ahead. Depending on the birth control, pregnancy can take place anywhere from one day . . . Read More

Top Q&As

Most Recent

See all related birth control Q&As

Birth Control

What Is Birth Control?

Know Your Options

More Options

What’s the Best Birth Control for You?

Things to Consider

What You Need to Know

Can Being Overweight Affect How the Pill Works?

Try AskMD

Birth Control Q&As

BIRTH CONTROL VIDEOS

Related Topics

Sponsor Groups

Can Being Overweight Affect
How the Pill Works?