Family planning comes in many forms, whether it's abstinence, a diaphragm or a birth control pill. If you're using your own body to plan your family, you need to do so immediately. But barrier methods and hormonal contraception follow a slightly different time frame.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods, the American Pregnancy Association notes, if used correctly, work at the time that intercourse occurs. These methods include condoms (both male and female), diaphragms, spermicides, the cervical cap and the contraceptive sponge. Condoms are immediate and somewhat spontaneous, requiring only that you plan to have them on hand when needed. Diaphragms start working immediately, but must be used no more than three hours after insertion. Spermicides used alone work immediately, though they are most often used in conjunction with a diaphragm or cervical cap. Cervical caps require the use of spermicidal jelly and work immediately upon insertion. The contraceptive sponge is immediately effective, although it cannot be worn for more than 30 hours at one time.
Hormonal Methods
While the birth control pill is the most well recognized form of hormonal treatment, it is not the only type available. There are patches, injections, rings and implants available that all use hormones to provide birth control. Birth control pills come in multiple forms, and your health-care provider can best determine with you when it can be used as a sole form of birth control. Most pills are effective within seven days of starting them, assuming that you start them at the correct time and take the pill at the same time every day. The patch is effective immediately, provided you begin using on the first day of your menstrual period. Injections are effective 24 hours after receiving your injection, typically given on the first day of your period, and are effective for 13 weeks. The vaginal ring is effective seven days after insertion. Implants are normally inserted during a woman's menstrual cycle to ensure she isn't pregnant; they are effective two weeks after the insertion date.
