Get Care
Advocate
About
Donate
Birth Control
Everyone deserves the freedom to decide if, when, and how to grow their family.
Birth Control OptionsAt Beacon Reproductive Health Network, we partner with trusted clinics to ensure you have access to the full range of birth control options — confidentially, affordably, and without judgment.
Whether you're exploring contraception for the first time or thinking about trying a new method, there’s a lot to consider. We partner with clinics and providers to support you in making informed decisions that align with your health, lifestyle, and future plans.
Explore Your Birth Control Options
Our network of Title X and The Right Time health centers offers a variety of contraceptive methods. Here's an overview to help you consider your options.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
Placed by a healthcare provider LARC offer long-term, highly effective contraception that can also be removed at any time with the help of a medical provider.
Short-Acting Hormonal Methods
These are methods containing hormones that prevent ovulation (producing an egg). If there is no egg present, pregnancy can’t occur.
Barrier Methods
These methods use physical barriers to keep sperm and eggs away from each other during sex.
Permanent Methods
Surgical methods for individuals who are certain they do not want to become pregnant in the future.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
These are methods that are administered by a healthcare provider and can stay in place for several years. They offer long-term, highly effective contraception that can also be removed at any time with the help of a medical provider.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
Small, T-shaped devices inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy for 3 to 12 years. Options include hormonal (like Mirena®, Skyla®) and non-hormonal (ParaGard®) types. Different types are effective for different lengths of time. IUDs are placed and removed by trained medical professionals.
Learn more about IUDs
Implants
A tiny, flexible rod placed under the skin of your upper arm. It releases hormones to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years.
Learn more about implants
Short-Acting Hormonal Methods
These are methods containing hormones that prevent ovulation (producing an egg). If there is no egg present, pregnancy can’t occur.
Pills
Daily oral contraceptives that use hormones to prevent ovulation. It’s important to take them at the same time every day. Talk to your provider about what to do if you forget to take it or miss a day.
Learn more about birth control pills.
Patches
An adhesive skin patch worn on the body, replaced weekly for three weeks, followed by a patch-free week. Hormones are slowly released into the body through your skin. You only have to remember to replace it once a week.
Learn more about birth control patches.
Vaginal Rings
A flexible plastic ring inserted into the vagina. It’s left in place for 3 weeks, then removed for one week.
Learn more about vaginal rings.
Injectables
A hormonal shot administered by you or your provider every 3 months to prevent ovulation.
Learn more about injectables.
Barrier Methods
These methods use physical barriers to keep sperm and eggs away from each other during sex.
Condoms (External)
Sheaths worn on an erect penis during intercourse to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Condoms can be made from different types of materials. Latex condoms provide the best protection against sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.
Learn more about external condoms.
Condoms (Internal)
Sheaths inserted into the vagina or anus during intercourse to prevent pregnancy and/or the transmission of a sexually transmitted infection. Internal condoms are non-latex.
Learn more about internal condoms.
Diaphragms and Cervical Caps
Silicone cups inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix, used with spermicide to block sperm entry past the cervix. Diaphragms and cervical caps work in similar ways, but are shaped a little differently.
Learn more about diaphrams.
Learn more about cervical caps.
Permanent Methods
Sterilization is a surgical and permanent way to remove the ability to get pregnant or cause a pregnancy. People with uteruses and people with penises can both be sterilized.
Learn more about sterilization.
Emergency Contraception
Methods to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.
Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Taken within 3-5 days of under-protected sex to prevent pregnancy. Most effective when taken as soon as possible. Beacon will send EC to Missouri residents for free.
Order Free EC here.
IUDs as Emergency Contraception
Certain IUDs can be placed within 5 days of under-protected sex as a highly-effective emergency contraceptive.
Learn more about IUDs as EC.
Healthcare Without Barriers
