Birth Control Bingo: What's the Right Non-Hormonal Method for Me?

Part of Scarleteen's Birth Control Bingo. Need to go back a question? Or start over?

On the previous page, you said you are NOT comfortable with a hormonal method, know you are unable to use a hormonal method for any given reason, and/or you do not wish to use a hormonal method or deal with hormonal side effects, period⁠ (period: The fluid – or flow – which contains blood, from the shedding of the uterine lining usually at the end of each menstrual cycle. Sometimes periods may be less fluid and more globby; this is the state that is often mistaken for blood clotting.) , so you want a NON-HORMONAL METHOD, and you ARE comfortable using, or prefer a method you and/or your partner⁠ (partner: In a sexual context, a person with whom someone is having some kind of sex. The term "partner" can be used for all kinds of relationships, not just serious ones. "Partner" can also mean the person someone is with in a romantic or familial partnership.) have to remember to use only at or around the time sex⁠ (sex: Different things people choose to do to actively express or enact sexuality and sexual feelings; often this involves genitals, but not always. ) occurs or will soon occur, or you can only use a method you can buy over-the-counter, without a prescription, or you sometimes have money for birth control⁠ (birth control: Any number of methods people use to intentionally prevent unwanted pregnancy, including the condom, the cervical barrier, the implant, the patch, the pill, the rhythm method, the ring, the shot, the IUD, spermicide and withdrawal.) , but sometimes you don’t.

All those things tend to make a non-hormonal method a better choice for you than a hormonal method. So, now we just need to help you figure out⁠ (out: Short for ‘out of the closet’. When someone’s LGBTQ+ identity is known to other people.) which non-hormonal method or methods would be the best choices for you. We're going to do this by screening you for the most effective, easy-to-use and available non-hormonal methods first.

Take a look at the following three groups of statements, and decide which most applies to you.

I am comfortable with or want a method which involves the fully mutual participation of my partner(s) and my partner(s) are willing and able to be an active and fully responsible part of birth control AND I am fine with a method which requires a brief interruption at the time of intercourse⁠ (intercourse: When people interlock their genitals and move together as feels good to them for the purpose of sexual stimulation and/or reproduction.) AND I and my partner are comfortable touching our genitals⁠ (genitals: Body parts that are generally, culturally, scientifically or personally considered to be external sexual or reproductive organs.) , and are not squeamish about inserting/removing a contraceptive device AND/OR I am not interested in having anything put surgically into my body, or in a risk of more painful cramps or heavier bleeding with my periods OR I am looking for an easy and effective backup method to use with an existing method AND/OR want or need STI⁠ (STI: Sexually transmitted infections: illness, infection and/or disease which is often or can be transmitted through sexual or other intimate contact, like HIV, Chlamydia or Herpes. Some people call STIs STDs.) /STD prevention as part of that method

If this statement is most true for you, click here to consider condoms.

OR

I need or prefer a method that does NOT require the participation of my partner. OR Sexual spontaneity is very important to me. I do not want to have anything to put into place immediately before sex. AND I am comfortable touching my genitals, and am not squeamish about inserting/removing a contraceptive device.

If this statement is most true for you, click here.

OR

I prefer a method that does require the participation of my partner and know and trust my partner will be fully cooperative and is very dedicated to helping me prevent a pregnancy⁠ (pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the uterus. Medically, someone is considered to be pregnant when an egg has been fertilized by sperm, cells divide, and the fertilized egg is implanted within the lining of the uterus.) . AND I want a method that does not cost anything. AND I and my partner are both totally okay with ending intercourse well before his orgasm⁠ (orgasm: An event typically in response to physical or intellectual sexual stimulation, controlled by the involuntary nervous system. ) / ejaculation⁠ (ejaculation: In a sexual context, a discharge of genital fluid, usually (but not always) as a result of sexual stimulation and/or orgasm.) . AND I am comfortable and feel assertive⁠ (assertive: To be self-assured, self-confident. To stand up for oneself in a positive, nonviolent way.) reminding my partner about his needed participation, if need be, during sex.

If this statement is most true for you, click here.

OR

My religion does not support the use of any method which directly interferes with any part of fertilization or conception⁠ (conception: The onset of pregnancy, marked by implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium (the lining of the uterus).) , but only those which prevent fertilization and/or conception through behavior OR Either myself or my partner are just uncomfortable with barrier methods, and would prefer a behavioral method AND I am comfortable with and prepared for a greater possibility that I may become pregnant than I would likely have with other methods of contraception⁠ (contraception: Devices, medications or behaviors used to intentionally aim to prevent pregnancy, including the condom, the cervical barrier, the implant, the patch, the pill, the rhythm method, the ring, the shot, the IUD, spermicide and withdrawal.)

If this statement is most true for you, click here.

If none of the options above seem to fit you, then you may want to consider a hormonal method. Or, you may want to start over from the top⁠ (top: In sexuality, this is someone who wants to take the/a lead during sex with a partner or partners, or to consensually take the role of being in charge of sexual actions.) of this page to see if you can't strike a compromise somewhere, such as by only choosing partners who will share responsibility for birth control use, to work it out so a brief interruption in sexual⁠ (sexual: About or relating in some way to sex or sexuality.) activity is not a big whoop, or to learn to get comfy with touching your own genitals.