Every year, 85 percent of women aged 15–44 who don’t use birth control during vaginal intercourse become pregnant. Although the only guarantee against unintended pregnancy is to not have sex, using birth control can reduce your risk of pregnancy from vaginal intercourse. To decide which method to use at this point in your life, think about the answers to these questions:

* How well will it fit into your lifestyle?
* How convenient will it be?
* How effective will it be?
* How safe will it be?
* How affordable will it be?
* How reversible will it be?
* Will it protect against sexually transmitted infections?

For extensive information about the pill click here.

Keep mind that nothing is 100% effective apart from abstinence. Anytime there is genital contact between two fertile people of the opposite sex - whether you use protection or not - there will be a risk of pregnancy. However, the pill is one of the most effective forms of birth control there is, having only a 0.1% failure rate.

For extensive information about condoms click here.

Of 100 women whose partners use condoms, about 15 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use.* Only two women will become pregnant with perfect use.** More protection against pregnancy is possible if condoms are used with a spermicide foam, cream, jelly, suppository, or film.

*Typical use refers to failure rates when use is not consistent or always correct.
**Perfect use refers to failure rates for those whose use is consistent and always correct.

They also protect both partners during vaginal and anal sex from sexually transmitted infection. Latex condoms offer very good protection against HIV.