Birth Control: How to DecideWith so many options, choosing a form of birth control can be daunting. Begin with a few questions:
Do you need to protect against STDs? How important are convenience and cost? What about effectiveness? Only abstinence is 100% effective, but other methods come close — as our effectiveness chart shows in a glance. Review this slideshow, then ask your doctor which options are best for you.
Fertility AwarenessAlso called natural family planning, fertility awareness means avoiding s*x when the woman is most fertile. The most reliable way to do this is to watch for changes in cervical mucus and body temperature. To use this method correctly, it’s best to get training from a health care professional.
Fertility AwarenessAlso called natural family planning, fertility awareness means avoiding s*x when the woman is most fertile. The most reliable way to do this is to watch for changes in cervical mucus and body temperature. To use this method correctly, it’s best to get training from a health care professional.
Pros: No drugs or devices, inexpensive.Cons: Limits spontaneous s*x, 25% of typical users get pregnant.
SpermicideSpermicide contains a chemical that kills sperm. It comes in the form of foam, jelly, cream, or film that is placed inside the v**ina before s*x. Some types must be put in place 30 minutes ahead of time. Frequent use may cause tissue irritation, increasing the risk of infections and STDs. Spermicides are most often used along with other birth control methods.
Male CondomThe latex condom is the classic barrier method. It prevents sperm from entering the woman’s body, protecting against pregnancy and most STDs. Of couples who rely only on male condoms, 15% get pregnant in a year.
Pros: Widely available, protects against most STDs, inexpensive (under $1 each).Cons: Only effective if used correctly every time. Can’t be reused.
Female CondomThe female condom is a thin plastic pouch that lines the v**ina and can be put in place up to 8 hours before s*x. Users grasp a flexible, plastic ring at the closed end to guide it into position. It’s somewhat less effective than the male condom.
Pros: Widely available, some protection against STDs, conducts body heat better than a male condom.Cons: Can be noisy, 21% of users get pregnant, not reusable. Should not be used with a male condom, to avoid breakage.
DiaphragmThe diaphragm is a rubber dome that is placed over the cervix before s*x. It is used with a spermicide. Effectiveness compares to the male condom – 16% of average users get pregnant, including those who don’t use the device correctly every time.
Pros: Inexpensive Cons: Must be fitted by a doctor, no STD protection. Can’t be used during your period due to a risk of toxic shock syndrome.
Cervical CapA cervical cap is similar to a diaphragm, but smaller. The FemCap slips into place over the cervix, blocking entry into the uterus. It is used with spermicide. The failure rate for the cervical cap is 15% for women who have never had children and 30% for those who have.
Pros: Can stay in place for 48 hours, inexpensive.Cons: Must be fitted by a doctor, no protection against STDs. Can’t be used during your period.
Birth Control SpongeThe birth control sponge, sold as the Today Sponge, is made of foam and contains spermicide. It is placed against the cervix up to 24 hours before s*x. The sponge is about as effective as the cervical cap, with a failure rate of 16% for women who have never had children and 32% for those who have. But unlike the diaphragm or cervical cap, no fitting by a doctor is required.
Pros: No prescription, effective immediately.Cons: Difficult to insert correctly, no STD protection. Can’t be used during your period.
Birth Control PillThe most common type of birth control pill uses the hormones estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. When taken on schedule, the pill is highly effective. About 8% of typical users get pregnant, including those who miss doses. Like all hormonal contraceptives, the pill requires a prescription.
Pros: More regular, lighter periods, or no periods, depending on the type of pill. Less cramping.Cons: no STD protection. May cause side effects, including chest tenderness, spotting, serious blood clots, and raised blood pressure. Some women should not use birth control pills.
Tubal ImplantsA newer procedure makes it possible to block the fallopian tubes without surgery. Small implants of metal or silicone (Essure) are placed inside each tube. Scar tissue eventually grows around the implants and blocks the tubes. Once an X-ray confirms the tubes are blocked, no other form of birth control is needed.
Pros: Permanent, no surgery, almost 100% effective.Cons: Takes a few months to become effective. Some women may have problems which include changes in their monthly period, pain in the lower belly, pelvic pain, or allergic reactions to the metal in the coil. Irreversible, expensive.
VasectomyBesides condoms, a vasectomy is the only birth control option available to men. It involves surgically closing the vas deferens – the tubes that carry sperm from the testes, through the reproductive system. This prevents the release of sperm but doesn’t interfere with Release.
Pros: Permanent, cheaper than tubal ligation, almost 100% effective.Cons: Requires surgery, not effective immediately, may not be reversible.
Emergency ContraceptionEmergency contraception works after s*x to help avoid pregnancy. This is an option if no birth control was used or if a woman suspects her usual method failed. Plan B, Plan B One-Step, and a generic version of Plan B called Next Choice all contain a high dose of a hormone found in many birth control pills. These types must be used within 72 hours. Ella uses a non-hormonal drug and requires a doctor’s prescription. It can be taken up to five days after s*x.
Options for Older WomenAge and lifestyle are important factors in choosing a form of birth control. If you’re over age 35 and smoke or are obese, the combination birth control pill, patch, and ring are not recommended. It’s best to consult your doctor about safe alternatives. If you’re approaching the age of menopause, the birth control shot has an added benefit: It may relieve some of the symptoms of perimenopause.
source: Webmd
SpermicideSpermicide contains a chemical that kills sperm. It comes in the form of foam, jelly, cream, or film that is placed inside the v**ina before s*x. Some types must be put in place 30 minutes ahead of time. Frequent use may cause tissue irritation, increasing the risk of infections and STDs. Spermicides are most often used along with other birth control methods.
Male CondomThe latex condom is the classic barrier method. It prevents sperm from entering the woman’s body, protecting against pregnancy and most STDs. Of couples who rely only on male condoms, 15% get pregnant in a year.
Pros: Widely available, protects against most STDs, inexpensive (under $1 each).Cons: Only effective if used correctly every time. Can’t be reused.
Female CondomThe female condom is a thin plastic pouch that lines the v**ina and can be put in place up to 8 hours before s*x. Users grasp a flexible, plastic ring at the closed end to guide it into position. It’s somewhat less effective than the male condom.
Pros: Widely available, some protection against STDs, conducts body heat better than a male condom.Cons: Can be noisy, 21% of users get pregnant, not reusable. Should not be used with a male condom, to avoid breakage.
DiaphragmThe diaphragm is a rubber dome that is placed over the cervix before s*x. It is used with a spermicide. Effectiveness compares to the male condom – 16% of average users get pregnant, including those who don’t use the device correctly every time.
Pros: Inexpensive Cons: Must be fitted by a doctor, no STD protection. Can’t be used during your period due to a risk of toxic shock syndrome.
Cervical CapA cervical cap is similar to a diaphragm, but smaller. The FemCap slips into place over the cervix, blocking entry into the uterus. It is used with spermicide. The failure rate for the cervical cap is 15% for women who have never had children and 30% for those who have.
Pros: Can stay in place for 48 hours, inexpensive.Cons: Must be fitted by a doctor, no protection against STDs. Can’t be used during your period.
Birth Control SpongeThe birth control sponge, sold as the Today Sponge, is made of foam and contains spermicide. It is placed against the cervix up to 24 hours before s*x. The sponge is about as effective as the cervical cap, with a failure rate of 16% for women who have never had children and 32% for those who have. But unlike the diaphragm or cervical cap, no fitting by a doctor is required.
Pros: No prescription, effective immediately.Cons: Difficult to insert correctly, no STD protection. Can’t be used during your period.
Birth Control PillThe most common type of birth control pill uses the hormones estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. When taken on schedule, the pill is highly effective. About 8% of typical users get pregnant, including those who miss doses. Like all hormonal contraceptives, the pill requires a prescription.
Pros: More regular, lighter periods, or no periods, depending on the type of pill. Less cramping.Cons: no STD protection. May cause side effects, including chest tenderness, spotting, serious blood clots, and raised blood pressure. Some women should not use birth control pills.
Tubal ImplantsA newer procedure makes it possible to block the fallopian tubes without surgery. Small implants of metal or silicone (Essure) are placed inside each tube. Scar tissue eventually grows around the implants and blocks the tubes. Once an X-ray confirms the tubes are blocked, no other form of birth control is needed.
Pros: Permanent, no surgery, almost 100% effective.Cons: Takes a few months to become effective. Some women may have problems which include changes in their monthly period, pain in the lower belly, pelvic pain, or allergic reactions to the metal in the coil. Irreversible, expensive.
VasectomyBesides condoms, a vasectomy is the only birth control option available to men. It involves surgically closing the vas deferens – the tubes that carry sperm from the testes, through the reproductive system. This prevents the release of sperm but doesn’t interfere with Release.
Pros: Permanent, cheaper than tubal ligation, almost 100% effective.Cons: Requires surgery, not effective immediately, may not be reversible.
Emergency ContraceptionEmergency contraception works after s*x to help avoid pregnancy. This is an option if no birth control was used or if a woman suspects her usual method failed. Plan B, Plan B One-Step, and a generic version of Plan B called Next Choice all contain a high dose of a hormone found in many birth control pills. These types must be used within 72 hours. Ella uses a non-hormonal drug and requires a doctor’s prescription. It can be taken up to five days after s*x.
Options for Older WomenAge and lifestyle are important factors in choosing a form of birth control. If you’re over age 35 and smoke or are obese, the combination birth control pill, patch, and ring are not recommended. It’s best to consult your doctor about safe alternatives. If you’re approaching the age of menopause, the birth control shot has an added benefit: It may relieve some of the symptoms of perimenopause.
source: Webmd
The intra uterine device IUD is one of the most popular birth control methods with an effectiveness of 99 percent. Read further to discover usage, Benefits, FACTS and Side effects of IUD .
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