Over the Counter Birth Control

With over the counter birth control, you can reduce your chance of getting pregnant without making a trip to the doctor. Many over the counter birth control choices are hormone-free, so they can be used by nursing mothers.

You can't get birth control pills over the counter. You'll also need a prescription if you want the ring, the patch, or the birth control shot. IUDs require a doctor visit, too.

Here's what you'll find at the drugstore:

• Condoms
• Female condoms
• Spermicide gels and foams
• Contraceptive sponges
• Plan B, also called the "morning after pill"

Except for Plan B, these are all non-hormonal methods, which means they're good choices for nursing mothers.

Condoms are an easy, inexpensive, and reliable form of over the counter birth control. Latex condoms also reduce your chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), including HIV. When used perfectly, condoms are 98% effective. With "typical" use, they prevent pregnancy about 85% of the time.

Condoms cost around $0.50 to $1 each. They're usually sold in packs of three, 12, or 24. Each condom is individually wrapped, which makes them easy to carry. Condoms do have an expiration date, usually a year or more after the date of purchase. Once that date has passed, they're more likely to break.

Some condoms are pre-coated with spermicide to help prevent pregnancy. Actually, the amount of spermicide that's on the condom probably isn't enough to make a difference. Using over the counter spermicidal gels or foams along with condoms is a better way to increase their effectiveness.

Many people dislike condoms because they reduce the sensation of sexual intercourse. Using a water-based lubricant will increase comfort and help keep the condom from breaking.

It's worth trying several different brands to see which one feels best to you. People who are allergic to latex can try polyurethane condoms. Doctors aren't completely sure how well these protect against STDs, but studies suggest that polyurethane works as well as latex.

Some people find that natural condoms, which are made of lambskin, feel better than latex ones. While these condoms will help prevent pregnancy, they do not protect against HIV.

Spermicides kill sperm before they can reach and fertilize an egg. Spermicides come in several forms, including foams, gels, and vaginal suppositories. Spermicide must be placed in the vagina shortly before intercourse.

Spermicides alone are not very effective. About 30 of 100 women will get pregnant within a year, using only spermicides. If birth control effectiveness is important, this method should always be used along with condoms or a prescription method.

One problem with spermicides is that they can be irritating to sensitive skin. In fact, there's some evidence that using them can increase the chance of contracting HIV, because the virus can get in through tiny breaks in the skin.

The contraceptive sponge is sold under the brand name Today. The sponge is a small disk containing spermicide, with a loop to help with removal. To use the sponge, you run it under water to activate the spermicide and then insert it into the vagina. One sponge is good for 24 hours, even with multiple acts of intercourse. The package comes with full instructions to help you use this method properly.

Sponges cost about $3 each and are sold in packs of three, six, or 12. They're about 84% effective with typical use and 91% with perfect use for women who have never given birth. For women who have already had a child, they work less well: 20 of 100 women will become pregnant within a year, even with perfect use.

Female condoms are similar to the male version, but they're worn inside the vagina instead of over the penis. They prevent sperm from entering a woman's body. The female condom has a flexible ring that sits outside the entrance to the vagina, and a thin sheath that goes inside.

Like male condoms, female condoms do reduce sensation. However, some people prefer them because the fit is looser. Others dislike the effort involved in using them. Used properly, they prevent pregnancy 95% of the time; typical use is about 79% effective. Correct use can also help protect against STDs. These condoms cost $2 or $3 each.

Plan B is a hormonal contraceptive similar to birth control pills. It's meant to be used only rarely, to prevent pregnancy after intercourse. The package comes with two tablets, one to be taken immediately and a second which must be taken 12 hours later. You can start Plan B any time within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.

The pills cause temporary hormonal changes in the body. Plan B primarily works by preventing ovulation. It may also prevent an egg from being fertilized or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. The hormones make some women feel ill or nauseated.

Plan B is kept behind the pharmacy counter, so you have to ask for it. Women under 18 need a prescription to purchase Plan B. It's expensive, about $40 for one use.

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