All of the contraceptive power with none of the hormones – here’s what you can use, how to use it and how effective it may be.

An in-depth guide to non-hormonal contraception including vasectomy, copper IUD, tubal ligation, diaphragm, sponge, condoms, fertility awareness and more with efficacy rates for each.

Lustery POV | Guide to Non-Hormonal Birth Control Methods 

A Comprehensive Guide to Non-Hormonal Birth Control Methods

While those who want to avoid pregnancy are sometimes advised to “just go on the pill” or get an IUD, it’s not always that simple. For some, hormonal birth control can be linked to 

, and other undesired side effects. As more people learn about these risks, some are developing an interest in non-hormonal contraception methods. Some also like to experience a natural menstrual cycle, as they see their periods as 

The good news is you don’t need to alter your hormones or suppress your menstrual cycle in order to avoid getting pregnant. There are plenty of other methods that don’t carry the same side effects and can be just as efficacious, especially when combined. And not all of them put the onus completely on uterus owners!

Here are a few forms of birth control to look into if hormonal birth control has given you problems or makes you feel uneasy — or if you’d like to double up and add something on top of your chosen hormonal method — starting with the most effective. (Note: The percentages, provided by 

, refer to the proportion of people who will successfully avoid pregnancy after a year of using each method.)

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure in which the vas deferens — the tubes that carry sperm out of the testes — are blocked off or cut. Vasectomies are typically simple, painless, and easy to recover from. It takes about three months for your semen to become sperm-free, and after that, it’s nearly impossible to get someone pregnant. The downside is that it’s not always reversible, but vasovasotomy procedures — the most common 

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped object that gets inserted into your uterus and can be left in, usually for several years — in the case of the copper IUD, up to 12 years — or until you want to get pregnant. Most IUDs work by altering your hormones, but the copper IUD simply takes advantage of sperm’s natural aversion to copper. Copper IUDs can also be used as emergency contraception, preventing pregnancy when inserted up to five days after sex. They can, however, cause some side effects, including heavy, irregular or uncomfortable periods.

A tubal ligation is a permanent sterilization procedure for those with uteruses. Similar to a vasectomy, the fallopian tubes — which transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus — are cut or blocked so that an egg and sperm can’t meet. The procedure takes about half an hour, with a few days’ recovery time. There is a 

, but only 50 to 80 percent of those who receive it are able to get pregnant afterward. However, people who have undergone tubal ligations 

can get pregnant through in vitro fertilization

 with similar success rates to those who have not had this procedure.

88% effective with typical use, 94% effective with perfect use

A diaphragm is a disc of thin, soft silicone that you put over your cervix to block sperm from getting in. It needs to fit to work properly, so you’ll have to see a doctor for a fitting. Another method called a cervical cap is similar to a diaphragm but fits more snugly around the cervix. Both are used with spermicide and go on before sex, then you leave them in for six hours afterward to make sure none of your partner’s swimmers survive. These don’t really have side effects, but the spermicide used with them sometimes can (see “spermicide” below).

88% effective with typical use, 91% effective with perfect use for those who have never given birth; 76% effective with typical use, 80% effective with perfect use for those who have given birth

 block the entrance to your uterus and also contain spermicide to kill off sperm. You insert the sponge into your vagina and all the way down to your cervix before sex, and leave it in at least six hours after sex. The cool thing about the sponge is that you can insert it up to 24 hours before sex so there are no interruptions, and once it’s in, you can have sex as many times as you want within the next 24 hours.

86% effective with typical use, 93% effective with perfect use

Phexxi, a fairly new form of birth control, is a prescription gel that you put in your vagina before sex using an applicator tube, and it lowers your vaginal pH so that sperm have trouble swimming toward your uterus. It’s fairly easy to use, but some may experience side effects like burning, itching, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections.

85% effective with typical use, 98% effective with perfect use

Among the most tried-and-true birth control methods, condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections as well as pregnancy. As you may have learned from demonstrations involving bananas in health class, you put a condom around the penis before sex, and it prevents semen from making contact with the vagina. They’re good to combine with other methods because they can break or slip off, though you can reduce the chances of this happening by getting the right size.

79% effective with typical use, 95% effective with perfect use

Internal condoms work like external condoms, except they go inside the vagina or anus. They prevent pregnancy by stopping semen from making contact with the uterus and also provide a barrier that protects against STIs. The only FDA-approved internal condom brand is called 

. To make sure that internal condoms don’t slip out of place, make sure to put them in as far as they can go, and don’t twist them.

78% effective with typical use, 96% effective with perfect use

Withdrawal is sometimes described as pulling out “right before” ejaculation but if that’s how you do it, it’s not going to be as effective as it is if you pull out 

before ejaculation — or without ejaculation. Yup, that’s right: sex does not need to involve ejaculation at all! It can be just as fun without it and is less likely to lead to pregnancy. However, there is a small chance of getting pregnant from precum. So, it’s best to combine withdrawal with another method. (Side note: withdrawal can also inspire fun, kinky play around deciding where you want your partner’s cum.)

76-88% effective, depending on the exact method used

Fertility awareness encompasses multiple methods, including period tracking, taking your temperature in the morning, checking your cervical mucus, and testing your urine for luteinizing hormone. All these tools help you find out when you’re ovulating so that you can avoid sex or use contraception during this time. (Another thing that can affect your fertility is breastfeeding: if you do so at least every four hours during the day and every six hours at night, you stop ovulating.) The more of these methods you use, the more effective fertility awareness will be.

While there’s only about one week per month that you can get pregnant, it’s hard to predict exactly when this week will fall. One way to be safe is to only have unprotected sex during your period — your chances of getting pregnant on the first day of your period are next to nothing and go up as your cycle continues. The app 

 can help you track your period, temperature, ovulation tests, and more.

72% effective with typical use, 82% effective with perfect use

Spermicide, a chemical that kills sperm, comes in multiple forms, including gels, foams, and dissolving vaginal contraceptive film. Typically, all you have to do is put it in your vagina before sex — some types need to be inserted several minutes before sex and need to be re-applied after a number of hours. (

, for instance, takes 15 minutes to dissolve, which can make for a playful way to extend foreplay.) Some people may experience genital irritation when using spermicide, and it’s not super effective on its own. But the plus is that spermicides can be used with pretty much any other birth control method.

In fact, all the methods here can be combined with one another (or hormonal birth control) for increased success, meaning that with some thoughtfulness and foresight, you should be able to prevent pregnancy on your terms, without putting anything in your body that you’re not comfortable with.