Fertility awareness may be effective for birth control if people use it correctly and consistently, particularly if they use a combination of methods. Fertility awareness is a method for recognizing ...

With an efficacy rate of 99%, a birth control implant releases progestin which in turn prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus, reducing the possibility of becoming pregnant to a great ...

Birth control effectiveness varies by method, with implants, IUDs, and sterilization preventing pregnancy over 99% of the time. Pills, patches, and condoms are also reliable but depend more on correct ...

Natural family planning, barriers, hormonal methods, copper IUDs, and permanent sterilization have varying degrees of effectiveness. Family planning involves tracking fertility cycles and sexual ...

There are many different kinds of birth control and even more factors contributing to decisions about the best birth control method for you or your partner. They range from those that rely on ...

The world of emergency contraception extends far beyond the familiar Plan B option that many people immediately think of when considering pregnancy prevention after unprotected sex. While Plan B ...

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. This story first appeared in Healthy You - November 2025, The Gazette’s quarterly health publication.

Side effects are possible with any contraceptive. However, popular myths and misconceptions have led many to believe that the risks of certain side effects are more likely than the evidence suggests.

Doctors say that increased access to emergency contraception is crucial for women. (Getty Images) The reproductive health landscape in the U.S. keeps shifting, particularly since Roe v. Wade was ...