r/birthcontrol

317K archived posts · Jul 2011 – Sep 2026

All things related to birth control

r/birthcontrol

A place to discuss birth control methods.

Created Jul 21, 2011

162KMembers (last snapshot)

317KArchived posts

#If you have questions about or want to discuss methods of birth control, this is the place for you! Please see our sidebar for some great resources.

###Rules

Not Doctors: Please feel free to discuss medical concerns, but we are not a substitute for your doctor or pharmacy.
Welcoming: Please be welcoming and do not shame BC novices or birth control methods.
Tact: Be mindful that human sexuality and comfortability with pregnancy risks varies widely.
Respectful: Personal attacks, name-calling, trolling, etc. will not be tolerated and will be removed.
[Reddiquette] (https://www.reddithelp.com/en/categories/reddit-101/reddit-basics/reddiquette): The Downvote Button is not a disagree button.
No Selling, Advertising, or Surveys: No selling (or even gifting) medications, self promotion, surveys, or seeking participants for studies. Be sure to read Reddit's Self Promotion Guidelines.
Factual Comments: This in no way limits posting personal experiences. However, overly broad comments that run counter to established medical knowledge must be substantiated with evidence that has been subjected to meaningful peer-review. Comments that are unsubstantiated must state that or may be removed.
Soft core NSFW only. While r/birthcontrol is now NSFW due to Reddit Inc. policy, if your post is safe for work and appropriate for those under 18 (or if you are under 18 yourself) you can put (SFW) in the title of the post, use the SFW flair, or remove the NSFW tag. While soft core sex topics can be discussed - hard core sexual, gore, or violent content will be removed without notice. Thanks for understanding

###Contraceptive Options [Guide] (http://bedsider.org/methods) Typical Use Effective Rates:
• Male Sterilization: 99%
• Female Sterilization: 99%
• Arm Implant (if properly in place): 99%*
• IUD (if properly in place): 99%*
• Shot (also known as Depo): 94%
• The Ring: 91%
• The Patch: 91%
• The Pill: 91%
• Diaphragm: 88%
• Sponge (Never Given Birth): 88%
• Cervical Cap (Never Given Birth): 86%
• Male Condom / External Condom : 85%
• Female Condom / Internal Condom: 79%
• Withdrawal: 78%
• Fertility Awareness: 76% - 88%
• Sponge (Given Birth): 76%
• Spermicide: 72%
• Cervical cap (Given Birth): 71%

*Recommended you check placement monthly.

Effective Rates when using Two Methods

###Looking for Experience Posts?

Consolidated Experience Post Links

###Compare Pills / IUDs /Etc?

Chart to compare oral contraceptives
[Explanation of different types of progestin] (https://www.verywell.com/different-progestin-types-906936)
[Compare IUDs & Implants by u/tergajakobs] (https://docs.google.com/document/d/12Brm6p9h4GKUyDSOqgn1kzQ6ZzCkAtjWdYBA8D3HDdk/edit?usp=sharing)

###Birth Control Failure?

###Other Helpful Tips:

[Quizzes for Qs from Planned Parenthood] (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/online-tools)
Bleeding Side effect?
How to Switch Methods?
Period vs Withdrawal Bleeding on the Pill?
Privacy on Your Parent's Health Insurance
[Supportive Doctor list from r/childfree](https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/wiki/doctors)
In US and have problems with insurance?
Which medications mess with birth control?
Common IUD myths
Pill Myths: Weight gain & other myths

###Filter Use the filters to see or exclude posts from one category and "All Posts" to return to the original feed. Or search using flair (e.g. flair:which) ##Filter To See

Which Method?	Experience
How to?	Side Effects!?
Mistake and Risk?	Rant!
Educational	Other
All Posts

##Filter To Exclude

How to?	Side Effects!?
Mistake and Risk?	Rant!

###Related Subreddits r/sterilization
r/FAMnNFP
r/Vasectomy/
r/malecontraception/

Other communities

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