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Health Conditions

What are the advantages and disadvantages of non-hormonal contraceptive methods?

Non-hormonal Contraceptive Methods Comparison

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Abstinence	No cost No side effects Acceptable for individuals who cannot use other forms of contraception Fertility is not affected	Advance planning required Commitment from both partners required
Cervical Cap	Relatively inexpensive Can be inserted several hours before intercourse Only small amounts of spermicide are required Protects for up to 48 hours Fertility is not affected	Prescription required Advance planning required Must be fitted by a doctor Comes in limited sizes-may not fit all women May be difficult to insert and/or remove Latex may cause allergic reactions May move during intercourse Should not be removed for 6 to 8 hours after intercourse Effectiveness reduced after childbirth Cannot be used during menstrual periods
Condom, Female	Relatively inexpensive Non-prescription, relatively easy to obtain Can be inserted just before intercourse or up to 8 hours in advance Protects against STIs (including HIV/AIDS) Provides protection for 48 hours Polyurethane is non-allergic Can be used with oil-based lubricants Fertility is not affected	More expensive than male condoms High failure rate, may break during use Awkward to use One time use
Condom, Male	Inexpensive Non-prescription, easy to obtain Latex type helps to protect against STIs including HIV/AIDS Fertility is not affected	Poor acceptance Relatively high failure rate, may break during use Cannot be applied in advance Can interrupt intercourse One-time use Latex type may cause allergic reactions Lamb-skin type does not protect against STIs Effectiveness reduced by oil-based lubricants
Diaphragm with Spermicide	Relatively inexpensive Can be inserted up to 6 hours before intercourse Helps to protect against STIs, including HIV/AIDS Fertility is not affected	Prescription required Must be fitted by a doctor Must be refitted if weight changes more than 10 pounds Effectiveness reduced by: frequent intercourse oil-based lubricants Increases risk for: toxic shock syndrome (TSS) urinary tract infections vaginal yeast infections
Natural Methods*	No cost No side effects Acceptable for individuals who cannot use other forms of contraception Fertility is not affected	High failure rate Advance planning required No protection against STIs May be complicated and time-consuming Commitment from both partners required
Spermicides Alone	Inexpensive Non-prescription, easy to obtain May offer some protection against certain STIs Fertility is not affected	High failure rate Cannot be applied in advance One-time use - must reapply before each act of intercourse No protection against HIV/AIDS Messy Possibly irritating to either partner
Sponge	Inexpensive Non-prescription Easy to insert and remove Fertility is not affected	No protection against STIs Fairly high failure rate when used alone
Tubal Ligation	Very low failure rate	Expensive Outpatient surgery required No protection against STIs Permanent
Vasectomy	Very low failure rate	Expensive In-office surgery required No protection against STIs Fertility difficult or impossible to restore
Withdrawal	No cost No side effects Acceptable for individuals who cannot use other forms of contraception Fertility is not affected	High failure rate Advance planning required No protection against STIs Commitment from both partners required

*Natural Methods include measuring body temperature, tracking menstrual cycles on the calendar, or determining the thickness of cervical mucus

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.