Fact check: 10 things that aren’t birth control and 17 things that are

Including 10 legitimate non-hormonal BC methods

By Lauren Kernan
Jun 12, 2019

Good news and bad news, folks. The bad news is that the following 10 groceries are NOT birth control:

  1. Papaya
  2. Neem
  3. Asafoetida
  4. Figs
  5. Ginger
  6. Smartweed
  7. Wild yam
  8. Pennyroyal
  9. Black cohosh
  10. Angelica

The good news is that these 17 things ARE proven methods of preventing pregnancy!

And if what you’re after is something that doesn’t have hormones in it, you’ve got these 10 legit options:

  1. Condoms
  2. Internal condoms
  3. The diaphragm
  4. The sponge
  5. The cervical cap
  6. Spermicide
  7. Fertility awareness
  8. Withdrawal
  9. Abstinence
  10. Sterilization

Written by Lauren Kernan

Lauren Kernan is the Senior Director of UX Research at Power to Decide. In her spare time, she can be found sewing or starting and giving up on various other crafts.

Want to learn more?

Select one of the related topics to find more.

IUD safety sex and science myths health cervical cap condom sterilization spermicide pregnancy and fertility "not right now" internal condom birth control diaphragm emergency contraception fertility awareness comprehensive safer sex shot (Depo-Provera) birth control patch birth control pill birth control ring withdrawal (pull out) method implant (Nexplanon)
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Bedsider and Birth control

You deserve access to birth control that fits your body, your life and your plans. Since 2011, Bedsider has been a trusted source of medically reviewed birth control information—covering every method available in the U.S. with guides, real user reviews, side-by-side comparisons, and a clinic search to help you find care near you or online.

Related methods

Dive in and learn all the details about these related birth control methods.

birth control
Diaphragm
Pretty effective when used perfectly, can be put in hours before sex, and doesn't affect your hormones.
birth control
Condom
Very effective if you use them correctly, but not super effective the way most people use them. Hormone free, protect against STIs, and don't require a prescription, but they do require work.
birth control
Internal condom (FC2)
Very effective if you use them correctly, but not super effective the way most people use them. Hormone free, protect against STIs, and great for those with latex allergies.
birth control
Cervical cap
Pretty effective if you use it correctly. Can be put in hours before having sex and doesn't affect your hormones.
birth control
Fertility awareness methods
Very effective if you use them correctly. Hormone-free, no cost, no side effects.
birth control
Spermicide and gel
Pretty effective if you use it correctly. Can be put in up to an hour before sex and doesn't affect your hormones.
birth control
Withdrawal (pull-out method)
Very effective if you do it correctly (but that can be hard to do). Hormone-free, zero cost, zero side effects.
birth control
Sterilization
A permanent, super effective way to prevent pregnancy.
birth control
"Not right now"
If you don't have penis-in-vagina sex, you won't get pregnant. But you and your partner will need willpower.