Barrier methods prevent pregnancy by keeping the sperm from reaching the egg.
Hormonal methods prevent the woman’s ovary from releasing an egg, make it harder for the sperm to reach the egg, and keep the lining of the womb from supporting a pregnancy.
IUDs prevent the man’s sperm from fertilizing the woman’s egg.
Natural methods help a woman know when she is fertile, so that she can avoid having sex at that time.
Permanent methods make it impossible for a man or a woman to have any children.