Contraception

Birth control, also known as contraception and fertility control, is a method or device used to prevent pregnancy.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Contraceptive Vaginal Ring

Oral contraception is a very popular means of contraception with a very high efficacy. However, it is necessary to be fully compliant with the regime to reap its full contraceptive benefits.

Types of Combined Birth Control Pills

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Progestogen-Only Pill (POP)

Blood Clot Risk and the Oral Contraceptive Pill

How is the Contraceptive Implant Put in and Taken Out?

How Effective are Different Types of Contraception?

Intrauterine Device (IUD) and Intrauterine System (IUS) Differences

How Does the Progestogen-only Pill Work?

See more featured articles »

IUS: Advantages and Disadvantages

How Does the Contraceptive Vaginal Ring Work?

Do Contraceptive Injections Affect Bones?

How Does the Contraceptive Implant Work?

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Combined Pill

Natural Family Planning: Advantages and Disadvantages

How to insert a diaphragm, cap or vaginal ring

Condoms - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Contraceptive Patch

IUD: Advantages and Disadvantages

What is the Contraceptive Patch?

Natural Family Planning: an Overview

The Male Contraceptive Pill: is it possible?

The Effects of Continuous Contraceptive Pill Taking

Does Breastfeeding Act as a Contraceptive?

Male Condom versus Female Condom

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Types

How Does The Combined Pill Work?

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Contraceptive Implants?

Latest Contraception News and Research

Study advances safe, reversible male contraceptive without hormones

Cornell University scientists have taken a major step toward developing a safe, reversible, long-acting and 100% effective nonhormonal male contraceptive, considered the holy grail of male contraception.

7 Apr 2026

Historical redlining linked to modern reproductive health disparities in women

A pair of studies are the first to examine how the decades-old discriminatory mortgage lending practice may contribute to present-day reproductive health problems, which disproportionately burden Black residents and other communities of color.

25 Mar 2026

Hormonal contraception not associated with prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Hormonal contraception, including birth control pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), is not associated with an increased prevalence of a brain pressure disorder called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, according to a meta-analysis published on March 25, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

25 Mar 2026

Nepal and Afghanistan show how abrupt aid cuts can unravel essential care

Abrupt cuts to external health aid can destabilize multiple essential services simultaneously in fragile, donor-dependent settings, as illustrated by Nepal and Afghanistan. The paper argues that donor withdrawal is not just a resilience test, but also an ethical and governance issue that should be managed through “transition discipline.”

24 Mar 2026

Lawmakers seek to protect crisis pregnancy centers as abortion clinic numbers shrink

Conservative lawmakers in multiple states are pushing legislation drafted by an anti-abortion advocacy group to increase protections for crisis pregnancy centers, organizations that provide some health-related services but also work to dissuade women from having abortions.

19 Mar 2026

Global indicators identified to monitor health before pregnancy worldwide

The key health and social indicators needed for a new global system to monitor people's health before pregnancy have been identified for the first time by researchers at University College London and the University of Southampton.

16 Mar 2026

Birth control skepticism, teen fertility education center stage at Trump’s women’s health summit

Surrounded by hot pink lights and cherry blossom pink drapes on a ballroom stage, family doctor Marguerite Duane offered a seemingly simple solution to infertility: Doctors should have conversations with young girls about whether they want to have children one day.

16 Mar 2026

Parents struggle when teens gain control over health decisions at 16

When young people reach the age of 16, parents no longer have access to their child’s health information. For many families, this change comes unexpectedly.

11 Mar 2026

Researchers develop non-hormonal contraceptives to reduce side effects for couples

In the 1970s, the contraceptive pill was the most frequently used method of contraception in Western countries; in Germany, for example, one in three women used "the pill."

6 Mar 2026

Study reveals knowledge gaps about menstrual health in elite women’s football

Elite European women’s football players and staff show substantial knowledge gaps about menstrual health and hormonal contraception despite widespread openness to discussion. The study highlights the need for structured education to support informed health decisions while clarifying that perceived performance effects are not consistently supported by scientific evidence.

24 Feb 2026

New guidelines outline comprehensive care for acute pulmonary embolism

Early detection and prompt treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), a sudden and potentially life-threatening blood clot that blocks arteries in the lungs, is critical.

19 Feb 2026

Hormonal contraceptives show differing heart risks among stressed women

Antonia Seligowski, PhD, of the Neurocardiac Effects of Stress & Trauma Laboratory within the Department of Psychiatry at Mass General Brigham, is the senior author of a paper published in JAMA Network Open, "Hormonal contraceptive use, stress disorders, and cardiovascular and thrombotic risk in women."

5 Feb 2026

Peer-supported clinic visits strengthen reproductive choices in rural India

Despite improvements in economic and social empowerment, women in many countries still have little control over their own fertility and reproductive health.

21 Jan 2026

Self-administered injectable contraceptives face provider hesitancy despite availability

Self-administered injectable contraceptives have been available in the United States for more than two decades, yet a new study has found only about a quarter of reproductive health experts prescribe it - and many are unaware it's even an option.

9 Jan 2026

One in three women miss postpartum check-ups

Findings from a Norwegian study reveal that comprehensive postpartum care by GPs improves women's satisfaction and addresses key health concerns effectively.

7 Jan 2026

One in four women in Norway found to miss postpartum check-ups

In a new study, Christine Agdestein has surveyed several aspects of the postnatal check-up. Agdestein is a specialist in general practice and a general practitioner, and is currently a PhD candidate at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

2 Jan 2026

Study reveals gaps in postnatal care information and attendance

31 Dec 2025

Medical bills can be vexing and perplexing. Here’s this year’s best advice for patients.

A Texas boy's second dose of the MMRV vaccine cost over $1,400. A Pennsylvania woman's long-acting birth control cost more than $14,000.

23 Dec 2025

Fertility preferences remain high in rural Tanzania despite family planning access

Fertility rates in much of Sub-Saharan Africa remain high, despite declining child mortality and improved access to contraceptives and female education - factors that generally lead to smaller families and improved economic conditions in developing countries.

18 Dec 2025

Injuries don’t rise during menstruation in elite women footballers

The study finds no rise in injuries during menstruation in elite football, yet highlights increased severity, urging better tracking for athlete health.

18 Dec 2025