…condoms if you’re new to sex; the oral hormone contraceptive pill if you’re under 30, and female sterilization (tubal ligation or tubal implants) if you’re over 30. That’s the news from a survey of over 7,300 women between 2006 and 2008 as part of a recent report sponsored by the National Center for Health Statistics.

If you’re looking for a hormone-free contraceptive, but don’t want to take the drastic step of having your tubes tied, I recommend asking your doctor about the ParaGard IUD. This soft, plastic T-shaped device that’s wrapped in copper is inserted into your uterus in your doctor’s office and blocks sperm from fertilizing your egg for up to 12 years. Once you want to get pregnant, you simply take it out and can start trying right away.

Side effects of the ParaGard might include heavier menstrual flow and cramps. You may also experience discomfort during insertion and/or removal of the device. The upside? Because there are no hormones in ParaGard, you don’t have to suffer from the emotional rollercoaster, weight gain, loss of libido, higher risk of heart attack and stroke and other side effects normally associated with the oral contraceptive pill.

I don’t get paid to endorse ParaGard, I’m not affiliated with the company and I don’t use the device (I tied my tubes before ParaGard was made available). I just think there’s not enough mention of a hormone-free contraceptive alternative that’s proven to be just as effective as the pill at thwarting pregnancy, but doesn’t have the pill’s negative side effects.