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Birth Control Methods
Contraception is the term used for prevention of pregnancy, also referred as birth control. There are several methods of contraception, created not only for women, but also for men. Some methods are permanent while others can be reversible. The majority of birth control methods are called barrier or hormonal. However there are four other methods called sterilization (surgery), withdrawal, natural family planning and abstinence.
When determining which method of contraception is best for you, it is important to examine all the different methods of birth control and other related considerations such as failure rates and side effects. Note that most birth control methods prevent pregnancy, but they do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. If you are sexually active and using birth control, remember that all forms of birth control have a failure rate, and you should take a pregnancy test if you are experiencing any pregnancy symptoms.
Abstinence: As a means of contraception, abstinence is the voluntary avoidance of sexual activity, and is the only contraceptive method that is 100% effective in the prevention of both pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Fertility Awareness Method: is also known as Natural Family Planning, commonly called NFP, and does not rely on devices or medications to prevent pregnancies. It is a contraceptive method that calculates ovulation through your menstrual cycle using the natural functions of your body. A common feature of NFP involves record of your body temperature and changes in your cervical mucus each day. NFP also requires periodic abstinence (approximately 7 to 10 days) during the ovulation period. You may choose to use a barrier method or withdrawal during this time frame.
Barrier Methods: are contraceptions also called devices, they are physical or chemical barriers designed to avoid sperm from entering a woman's uterus.
- Male Condom: is the most common barrier method, a tube of thin material (latex rubber) that is rolled over the erect penis prior to contact with the vagina.
- Female Condom: is a seven-inch long pouch of polyurethane with two flexible rings that has to be inserted into the vagina prior to intercourse, so it covers the cervix, vaginal canal, and the immediate area around the vagina.
- Spermicides: are chemicals that are designed to kill sperm, they are available as foam, jelly, foaming tablets and vaginal suppositories.
- Diaphragm: is a soft rubber dome stretched over a flexible ring; the dome is filled with a spermicidal cream or jelly, then inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix no more than 3 hours prior to intercourse.
- Cervical Cap: is a small cup made of latex rubber or plastic, filled with a spermicidal cream or jelly and inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix.
- Intrauterine Device (IUD): is a small plastic device containing copper or hormones and is inserted into the uterus by a medical professional. The IUD does not stop the sperm from entering into the uterus, but rather it changes the physical environment of the reproductive tract and thereby prevents the egg from being fertilized and implanted in the uterus.
- ontraceptive Sponge: is a soft saucer-shaped device made from polyurethane foam.
Hormonal Methods: are hormone medications containing manufactured forms of the hormones estrogen and/or progesterone, whether administered as a pill, patch, shot, ring or implant. Hormonal methods work as preventing a woman's ovaries from releasing an egg each month; or causing the cervical mucus to thicken making it harder for sperm to reach and penetrate the egg, or even thinning the lining of the uterus which reduces the likelihood that a fertilized egg will implant in the uterus wall. Note that hormonal contraceptives do NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Birth Control Pills: are taken daily as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Depo-Provera: is an injection given every three months by your health care provider to prevent pregnancy.
- Lunelle: is an injection given by your health care provider that prevents pregnancy for only one month.
- NuvaRing/Vaginal Ring: is a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina for three weeks, removed for one week, and then replaced with a new ring. The ring releases estrogen and progesterone into your body.
- Ortho Evra Patch/Birth Control Patch: is placed directly on the skin with the hormones built into the sticky side of the patch. Each week for the first three weeks a patch is placed on the hip, buttocks or upper arm. On the fourth week you are free from the patch allowing for a menstrual period.
Withdrawal & Sterilization: None of them prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Withdrawal: involves the removal of the erect penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation.
- Sterilization: Female sterilization involves a surgical procedure involving closing of the fallopian tubes which carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, it is also referred to as a tubal ligation. Male sterilization involves the surgical closing of tubes that carry sperm, also referred as vasectomy.
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