ParaGard is the only IUD without hormones available in the U.S. It’s made of plastic and a small amount of natural, safe copper.

Hormonal IUDs release a small amount of a synthetic hormone to thicken your cervical mucus and keep sperm away from the uterus.

The implant is a tiny, barely noticeable rod inserted in your upper arm. It keeps the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens cervical mucus.

The pill is taken orally once a day, at the same time every day. Most release hormones that keep your ovaries from releasing eggs.

Branded as NuvaRing, this is a small, bendable ring that you insert into your vagina. The ring prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs.

Depo-Provera is an injection that prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs. It is taken every three months.

A thin, beige piece of plastic, the patch is placed on your skin once a week and prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs.

A diaphragm covers the cervix and keeps sperm out of your uterus. For a diaphragm to work effectively, it must be used with spermicide.