Choosing the safest kind of birth control is not easy. You need to consider factors such as your current health, relationship status, and if you want children later. Additionally, you need to consider the side-effects of birth control methods. It is best to consult your gynecologist before making a decision. To familiarize you with the types of birth control, here are the seven most popular methods to prevent pregnancy.

1. Condoms
There are two types of condoms: internal and external. External condoms are popular and are worn like a cap on a hard penis. Internal condoms are worn inside the vagina. Both types prevent pregnancy effectively, at least 95% of the time. Also, they effectively protect against sexually transmitted diseases. No other type of birth control provides such a double advantage.

2. Injection
Every 90 days, a doctor gives a progestin hormone injection that prevents ovulation and pregnancy. With timely shots every three months, pregnancy is prevented 99% of the time.

3. Cervical ring
The cervical ring is a plastic device inserted into the vagina. Women can leave it there for three weeks. The hormones estrogen and progesterone that it releases stop the ovulation of eggs. Then remove it for a week, and start the cycle again. It is 99% effective. Its effectiveness reduces to 91% with typical usage (that factors in human error).

4. Patch
Contraceptive patch releases hormones that block ovulation and pregnancy. Effective 91% of the time, you can use a new patch every week for three weeks, followed by a break of one week.

5. Pills
There are two kinds of contraceptive pills: combination and progesterone-only pills. Combination pills release two hormones, estrogen, and progestin, to prevent ovulation. Used correctly, it is effective 99% of the time, but in typical usage, the effectiveness comes down to 91%. The progestin-only pill, as the name suggests, prevents estrogen. The typical effectiveness is 93%.

6. Sub-dermal implant 
A tiny stick-like device is implanted in the side of the upper arm. It releases progestin hormone and prevents ovulation, and effectively prevents pregnancy 99% of the time.

7. Intrauterine devices
There are two intrauterine devices: copper and hormonal. The copper gadget is a tiny instrument that is placed in the uterus. It deters sperm by releasing copper. Once implanted, the device works for at least a decade. The hormonal IUD is also a small apparatus implanted in the uterus. It releases hormone progestin that prevents ovulation 99% of the time. Once implanted, a hormonal IUD is effective for up to 7 years. Without the fertilization of eggs, pregnancy is impossible.

A cervical cup, diaphragm, sponge, and spermicide are other types of birth control. These are both not popular and not as effective as the ones mentioned.