The best way to prevent an unplanned pregnancy is by practicing Abstinence. Abstinence is the term that is used to describe when an individual does not have sex with a partner. This means no Anal, Oral, or Vaginal sex.

By Practicing Abstinence an individual can also avoid getting a Sexually Transmitted infection (STI/STD).

If someone is thinking about having sex, there are many different methods to protect against and prevent an unplanned pregnancy and STIs.

Learn more at one of our clinics.

They are easy to use and FREE at ALL of our clinics . Once someone is having sex, condoms are the only method that will prevent BOTH pregnancy and STDs. Condoms can also be used by any gender over a penis or a sex toy. Condoms are great for preventing unplanned pregnancy and STDs. It’s important to use condoms every time you have sex and to use them correctly. Most condoms are made out of a material called latex. If someone is allergic to latex, they can use ones that are made out of another material usually labeled non-latex. These condoms are known as polyurethane, polyisoprene, and nitrile. Female condoms are made from nitrile and are non-allergenic.

Condoms can be used for anal, vaginal, and oral sex on a penis. Here’s a good round-up of some common condom mishaps (and then what to do about them!)

Dental Dams are thin, square pieces of latex that are used for oral sex (mouth on vagina, mouth on anus). Dental dams can prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs) by creating a barrier keeping bodily fluids and skin away from both individuals engaging in oral sex. Dental Dams are a one time use only and must be discarded properly after use.

Have Good Condom Sense: Using Your Condoms Correctly

Take good care of your condoms:

• Store your condoms in a cool, dry place
• Always check the expiration date on the condom package.

Before putting the condom on:

• Don’t use teeth, scissors, nails, or any other sharp object to open the condom package
• If the condom looks brittle, discolored, or damaged, don’t use it.

Put the condom on correctly:

• Do not use two condoms at the same time.
• With one hand, pinch the tip of the condom (to leave room for semen, the fluid that comes out of a guy’s penis when he cums or ejaculates) and to get rid of any air.
• With the other hand, roll the condom to the base of the penis or toy.
• Leave the condom on during sex.
• After sex, hold the base of the condom while pulling out of your partner.
• More questions? Check out this video!

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and Implants are great ways to avoid unplanned pregnancy. They are safe, effective, and easy. IUDs are small devices that are inserted into the uterus by a health care provider. They are super effective at preventing unplanned pregnancies and last anywhere between three to ten years!

How IUDs work:

The Mirena IUD, just one of the many types of IUDs, is an extremely safe and effective birth control method that prevents pregnancy for five years. It is one of the most effective methods of birth control and a great option for teens! The Mirena IUD is a small T-shaped object that goes inside the woman’s uterus and contains a hormone that is similar to one that occurs in a woman’s body. The hormone is slowly released out of the IUD and into the woman’s body. The IUD prevents pregnancy mainly by slowing down the sperm and making it hard for sperm to get into the woman’s cervix, or the opening to a woman’s uterus. A woman does not have to leave the IUD in for the whole five years. She can take it out early.

The IUD is great at preventing pregnancy, but does not prevent against STDs. To prevent STDs, it is important to use a condom with it.

Learn more at one of our clinics.

We offer IUDs at our clinics for a sliding fee (it depends on your income). Come in and learn more! You will not be turned away without getting the help you need. 

How implants work:

The implant is the most effective method of birth control and lasts for three years! It is a soft tube that goes under the skin in a woman’s upper arm. It is very safe and made of a hormone similar to one that occurs in a woman’s body. The hormone is slowly released out of the tube and into the woman’s body. The implant prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping the woman from releasing an egg each month and making it hard for sperm to get into the woman’s cervix, the opening to a woman’s uterus. The implant is extremely safe. It only takes a few minutes for a doctor to put it in and for it to work. There is no cutting or stitches. A woman does not have to leave the implant in for the three five years. She can take it out early.

The implant is great at preventing pregnancy, but does not prevent against STDs. To prevent STDs, it is important to use a condom with it.

Learn more at one of our clinics.

We offer implants at our clinics for a sliding fee (it depends on your income). Come in and learn more! You will not be turned away without getting the help you need.

The birth control pill is a pill that a woman takes once a day to prevent pregnancy. It is made of hormones similar to ones that occur in a woman’s body. The pill prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. If she doesn’t release an egg, she can’t get pregnant. The birth control pill is very safe and very effective when used correctly.

Birth Control pills are great at preventing pregnancy, but do not prevent against STDs. To prevent STDs, it is important to use a condom with them.
It doesn’t matter what kind of pills you use, all should be taken at the same time and correctly. There are many great resources out there to help remind you when you need to take your pill.

We offer birth control pills at our clinics for a sliding fee (it depends on your income). Come in and learn more! You will not be turned away without getting the help you need.

The patch is a very safe and effective birth control method. The patch is a thin, beige color patch that a woman wears on her body. The patch prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones into the woman’s body through her skin. These hormones prevent her from releasing an egg. If she is not releasing eggs, she can’t get pregnant. The patch is very effective when used correctly. A woman puts on a new patch once a week, for 3 weeks in a row, and then has 1 week without a patch. Women can still take showers, swim and play sports while wearing the patch. The patch is great at preventing pregnancy, but does not prevent against STDs. To prevent STDs, it is important to use a condom with it.

Learn more at one of our clinics.

We offer patches at our clinics for a sliding fee (it depends on your income). Come in and learn more! You will not be turned away without getting the help you need.

The ring, also known as the NuvaRing, is very safe and effective. It is a soft, plastic, flexible ring that’s about 2 inches wide. Once the ring is inside the vagina, it releases hormones into her body. The ring prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. If she doesn’t release an egg, she can’t get pregnant. The ring is very effective when used correctly. The woman puts the ring inside her vagina, and it stays there for 3 weeks. A woman can also talk to her doctor about using the ring to stop her periods. The ring is great at preventing pregnancy, but does not prevent against STDs. To prevent STDs, it is important to use a condom with it.

Learn more at one of our clinics.

We offer rings at our clinics for a sliding fee (it depends on your income). Come in and learn more! You will not be turned away without getting the help you need.

The Depo shot, also known as Depo-Provera, protects you against pregnancy for three months. Depo is a shot that is given into a woman’s arm or hip every three months. It is made of a hormone, similar to one that occurs in a woman’s body. The shot prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. If she doesn’t release an egg, she can’t get pregnant. The shot is great at preventing pregnancy, but does not prevent against STDs. To prevent STDs, it is important to use a condom with it.

Learn more at one of our clinics.

We offer Depo shots at our clinics for a sliding fee (it depends on your income). Come in and learn more! You will not be turned away without getting the help you need.

Emergency contraception, or sometimes known as the morning after pill, is a good option for when an individual has unprotected sex and did not use a condom or a hormonal method like the pill. It can also be used if something else happened such as a condom broke, or these was an incident of sexual assault where the individual did not have a choice in using protection. Emergency Contraception prevents an unplanned pregnancy, but it does not end a pregnancy. It can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex, however it is most effective within 24-28 hours after sexual contact. Emergency contraception is available in most drugstores and anyone 15 or older can buy it.

Emergency Contraception is not an abortion pill; if an egg and sperm have met up and have been fertilized, it will not affect the pregnancy.

There are a few different types/brands of Emergency Contraception available in the United States. Check with your doctor, clinic, or pharmacy which is best for you. SNHD offers Plan B at our clinics for a sliding fee (it depends on your income); Parental permission is not needed. Come in and learn more! You will not be turned away without getting the help you need.

In addition to local pharmacies (i.e. Walgreens, CVS), the pills can be accessed at SNHD and Planned Parenthood.