Birth control shot

Birth control methods with no hormones, like the non-hormonal IUD, condoms, sterilization, lactational amenorrhea[RW5] , and hormonal methods that don’t contain estrogen—the shot, hormonal IUDs, the implant and the mini-pill—are all safe to use immediately after giving birth. Combination pills, the ring, and the patch, which contain estrogen, shouldn’t be used until three weeks after giving birth, since estrogen and being postpartum both increase the risk of blood clots.

It’s totally okay to use birth control privately, but some methods are much easier to keep private from a partner than others. To keep your method private, think about how your partner might discover it. Some methods, like condoms, internal condoms, and the pull-out method, are hard to hide from a sexual partner (they are actually more effective with your partner’s help). For the pill, patch, and ring, someone could find your birth control or the packaging, but once you swallow the pill, no one knows you are using it. The IUD is also very discrete, but some partners may be able to feel the strings during sex. Overall, the shot is the most private method once you get it, but it could change your period, so someone might notice. If you are looking for a permanent solution, sterilization surgery is also undetectable, but getting surgery can be hard to hide (and there may be age restrictions and waiting periods depending on your insurance).

It depends on the method. Some forms of birth control including the pill, patch, ring, shot, and implant are not effective immediately after you start using them, but most IUDs are (and so are methods that you only use when you have sex, like a condom). To be sure, check with a health care provider before having sex without another method of birth control.

As long as you get your shots on time, this method is very effective. With perfect use the shot is more than 99% effective; with typical use, that means how real people use it in real life, it’s closer to 96%.

In other words:

For people who use the shot exactly as directed for a whole year, fewer than 1 in 100 will get pregnant when they don’t want to during the first year of using the shot.

For people who use the shot as people typically use it, fewer than 4 in 100 will get pregnant when they don’t want to during the first year of using the shot.

If you’re under the influence of alcohol—or anything else—a birth control method that doesn’t require action right when you’re about to get your freak on may be your safest bet. Fortunately, there are plenty of options. Note: These methods will cover you against pregnancy, but you should pair them with a condom for STI protection.

And speaking of covering all your bases, here are some tips for safer, smarter hookups.