Some birth control methods provide protection against STDs and some birth control methods actually increase the risk of STDs.

If you are concerned about preventing pregnancy AND about preventing STD transmission, choose an effective birth control method (such as birth control pills, IUD, Norplant, tubal ligation, or vasectomy) AND use condoms to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.

Birth control methods that are also effective STD protection:

• Abstinence: Protects against both viral and bacterial STDs
• Condoms: Protect against both viral and bacterial STDs

Birth control methods that provide partial protection from STDs:

• Cervical cap
• Diaphragm
• Film (Spermicide), Foam (Spermicide) Spermicides (such as nonoxynol 9) provide some protection, although small, against chlamydia and gonorrhea, but have been shown to increase the risk of HIV. Some individuals (about 1% of the population) are allergic to spermicides, and can get skin irritations that make it easier to get infections.

Birth control methods that provide NO protection from STDs:

• IUD
• Norplant
• Birth Control Pills
• Tubal Sterilization
• Vasectomy
• Withdrawal
• Depo Shot
• Emergency Contraception

Birth control methods that might increase risk of some STDs

• Birth Control Pills have been associated with more chlamydia detected in the cervix.
• IUDs are associated with an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), especially in the first month after insertion.
• Film (Spermicide) | Foam (Spermicide) Spermicides (such as nonoxynol 9) provide some protection, although small, against chlamydia and gonorrhea, but have been shown to increase the risk of HIV. Some individuals (about 1% of the population) are allergic to spermicides, and can get skin irritations that make it easier to get infections.