Contraception Menarche to Menopause

Contraception services should be part of routine health care maintenance in reproductive-aged women, especially in light of the fact that approximately 50% of pregnancies in the United States remain unplanned. Barrier methods, especially condoms, may play a role in sexually transmitted disease prevention but are less efficacious for pregnancy avoidance. There are several available hormonal contraceptive options, including the combination hormonal pill, progestin-only pill, combination hormonal patches and rings, injectable progestins, implantable progestins, intrauterine devices (copper or progestin), and permanent sterilization. These methods have varying efficacy, often related to patient compliance or tolerance of side effects.