FAMILY
PLANNING
CHOICES
This resource provides accurate and practical guidance on contraceptive methods. Click on the blue button to explore permanent, long-acting, short-acting, natural, and emergency contraceptive methods.
This interactive learning experience is made possible by the support of the American people.
The interactive Knowledge Management Road Map is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Knowledge SUCCESS (Strengthening Use, Capacity, Collaboration, Exchange, Synthesis, and Sharing) Project. The Road Map is the original creation of the Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project. Knowledge SUCCESS is supported by USAID's Bureau for Global Health, Office of Population and Reproductive Health and led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) in partnership with Amref Health Africa, The Busara Center for Behavioral Economics (Busara), and FHI 360. The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of CCP. The information provided on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government, or the Johns Hopkins University.
About this resource
Access to voluntary family planning and reproductive health services supports the health and well-being of individuals and can have positive economic, environmental, and social benefits for families and communities.
This information has been adapted from Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers and the corresponding wallchart. These products incorporate World Health Organization guidance through 2021.
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Download a PDF of the Wall Chart.
All Family Planning Choices
Permanent
Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Natural Methods
Emergency Contraception
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent Methods
Female sterilization
Vasectomy
Permanent surgical contraception for women who will not want more children.
Permanent contraception for men who will not want more children.
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
Meant to be permanent. For women who are sure that they will not want more children. Think carefully before deciding.
Female sterilization
Use another method for the first 3 months, until the vasectomy starts to work.
Very effective after 3 months (but not 100% effective).
Safe, simple, convenient surgery. Done in a few minutes. Pain is blocked.
Pain, swelling, or bruising can last a few days. A few men have lasting pain.
No effect on sexual ability or feelings.
Meant to be permanent. For men who are sure that they will not want more children. Think carefully before deciding.
Vasectomy
Very effective (but not 100% effective).
Involves physical exam and safe, simple surgery. The woman usually stays awake. Pain is blocked.
Pain and swelling can last a few days after procedure. Serious complications are rare.
No long-term side effects. No effect on sexual ability or feelings.
Can be done right after childbirth, as well as at other times.
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Implants
IUD
One or 2 small rods placed under the skin of a woman's upper arm.
Small, flexible device with either copper or hormone, placed inside the womb.
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
Very effective for 3 to 5 years, depending on which implant.
Can be used at any age and whether or not a woman has had children.
A woman can have a trained provider take out the implants at any time. Then she can become pregnant with no delay.
Unexpected light bleeding or spotting may occur, or monthly bleeding may stop. Not harmful.
Safe during breastfeeding.
One or 2 small rods placed under the skin of a woman's upper arm. Little to do once implants are in place.
Implants
Very effective, reversible, and long-term. Copper TCu-380A IUD can be used at least 12 years. Hormonal LNG-IUD can be used for 3 to 6 years.
Can be inserted right after childbirth, as well as at other times.
Some pain during insertion. With copper IUD monthly bleeding may be heavier and longer, especially at first. With LNG-IUD no heavier bleeding and helps prevent anemia.
Serious complications are rare. Pelvic infection occasionally occurs if a woman has certain sexually transmitted infections when the IUD is inserted.
Can come out on its own, especially at first.
A woman can become pregnant with no delay after the IUD is removed.
Small, flexible device made with either copper or hormone, placed inside the womb.
IUD
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Pills
Diaphragm
Take one pill every day.
Used with spermicide, the woman places the diaphragm in the vagina before sex.
Condoms
Sheaths that fit over a man's erect penis (male condoms) or fit loosely inside a woman's vagina (female condoms).
Vaginal Ring
A flexible ring that a woman places in her vagina.
Patch
A small adhesive patch worn on the woman's body, day and night.
Injectables
An injection every
1 to 3 months, depending on the type.
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
Injectables
An injection every 1 to 3 months, depending on the type of injectable.
Effective and reversible without delay.
Take one pill every day and start new packs on time for greatest effectiveness.
Unexpected bleeding or spotting may occur, especially at first. Not harmful. Monthly bleeding becomes lighter and more regular after a few months.
Some women have mild headaches, weight change, upset stomach, especially at first. These often go away.
Safe for nearly every woman. Serious complications are very rare.
Can be used at any age and whether or not a woman has had children.
Help prevent menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, anemia, and other conditions.
Pills that contain low doses of 2 hormones - a progestin and an estrogen.
Combined Oral Contraceptives
Good choice for breastfeeding mothers who want pills.
Very effective during breastfeeding and reversible without delay.
Take one pill every day for greatest effectiveness.
If not breastfeeding, spotting and unexpected light bleeding are common. Not harmful.
Pills that contain very low doses of the hormone, a progestin.
Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptives
Help prevent pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, when used correctly every time.
For protection from STIs/HIV, some couples use condoms along with other family planning methods.
Easy to use with a little practice.
Effective if used correctly every time. Often not used every time, however.
Some people object that condoms interrupt sex, reduce sensation, or embarrass them. Talking with partner can help.
Sheaths that fit over a man's erect penis (male condoms) or fit loosely inside a woman's vagina (female condoms).
Condoms
Effective if used correctly every time.
Usually, woman must have an internal examination to get diaphragm of correct size.
Bladder infection is more common.
Used with spermicide, the woman places the diaphragm deep in her vagina each time before sex.
Diaphragm
The woman leaves the ring in place at all times, every day and night for 3 weeks, then removes it for the fourth week. After 7 days, the woman inserts a new ring.
During the fourth week (when the woman does not have a ring in place), the woman will have monthly bleeding.
The woman should start a new ring on time for greatest effectiveness.
Bleeding changes are common but not harmful. Typically, irregular bleeding for the first few months and then lighter and more regular bleeding.
A ring with 2 hormones - a progestin and estrogen - that a woman places and leaves in her vagina for 3 weeks.
Combined Vaginal Ring
Suitable for postpartum women who are actively breastfeeding, at least 4 times per day, to prolong lactational amenorrhea.
The woman leaves the ring in place at all times, every day and night for 90 days. Four rings can be used, one after another, for approximately one year after giving birth.
The woman should start each new ring immediately after removal of the previous ring for greatest effectiveness.
Easy for a woman to insert and remove from her vagina. If her reproductive plans change, she can take out the ring at any time without a provider's help.
A ring with the progesterone hormone that a woman places and leaves in her vagina for 90 days.
Progesterone-Releasing Vaginal Ring
The patch continuously releases 2 hormones - a progestin and an estrogen.
The woman puts on a new patch each week for 3 weeks, and then no patch for the fourth week. During this fourth week, the woman will have monthly bleeding.
Replace each patch on time for greatest effectiveness.
Bleeding changes are common but not harmful. Typically, irregular bleeding for the first few months and then lighter and more regular bleeding.
A small adhesive patch worn on the woman's body, day and night.
Combined Patch
Effective and safe.
Three types of injectables: DMPA - injection every 3 months (13 weeks); NET EN - injection every 2 months; Cyclo-Fem and others - injection every month. Come back as much as 4 weeks late for DMPA, or 2 weeks late for NET-EN, or 7 days late for monthly injectables, and still get the next injection.
May be able to get injections outside the clinic in the community. Can give yourself the DMPA-SC injection.
Spotting and irregular bleeding often occur in the first several months. Then often monthly bleeding stops with DMPA and NET-EN or returns to regular bleeding patterns with monthly injectables. Gradual weight gain, mild headaches. Not harmful.
Private. Others cannot tell that a woman is using it.
Can be used at any age and whether or not a woman has had children.
When injections stop, a woman can become pregnant again. After DMPA, it may take a few more months.
Safe during breastfeeding, beginning 6 weeks after childbirth for DMPA and NET-EN. Monthlies not advised.
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
Natural Methods
Lactational Amenorrhea Method
Fertility Awareness Methods
A temporary method based on fully or nearly fully breastfeeding, for up to 6 months after childbirth.
A woman learns to tell the fertile time of her monthly cycle.
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
LAM requires 3 conditions. All 3 must be met:
1. The mother's monthly bleeding has not returned.
2. The baby is fully or nearly fully breastfed and is fed often, day and night.
3. The baby is less than 6 months old.
Before she can no longer use LAM, a woman should plan for another method.
A temporary method based on fully or nearly fully breastfeeding, for up to 6 months after childbirth.
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
During the fertile time a couple avoids vaginal sex, or they use another method such as condoms.
Can be effective if used correctly. Usually only somewhat effective, however.
Requires partner's cooperation.
No physical side effects.
Certain methods may be hard to use during fever or vaginal infection, after childbirth, or while breastfeeding.
A woman learns to tell the fertile time of her monthly cycle.
Fertility Awareness Methods
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
Emergency Contraception
Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Help a woman avoid pregnancy when taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex.
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods
Help a woman avoid pregnancy when taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex.
Emergency Contraceptive Pills
The sooner emergency contraceptive pills are taken after unprotected sex, the better they prevent pregnancy.
Safe for all women.
They do not disrupt pregnancy or harm the baby if a woman is already pregnant.
Regular family planning methods are more effective. A woman may want to consider using an ongoing contraceptive method.
Emergency Contraception
Natural Methods
Short-Acting Methods
Long-Acting Reversible Methods
Permanent
Methods