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BIRTH CONTROL

Sexual Health, Women's Health / By

BIRTH CONTROL

Birth control, also known as contraception is the use of various methods such as drugs, devices, agents, sexual practices, or surgical procedures to prevent pregnancy or conception.

Birth control can be permanent or temporary

The right method of birth control for you and your partner may depend on:

  • Your overall health
  • Whether you want to get pregnant soon, in a few years, or never
  • Possible side effects
  • Cost
  • The frequency of sexual activity
  • Number of sexual partners
  • The effectiveness of each method in preventing pregnancy.

It should be noted that even the most effective birth control method can fail. Some birth control method has higher effective rates than the others, but no method is 100% effective in every case.

Birth control methods may work in a number of different ways. Women can choose from many different types of birth control. Birth control methods may:

  • Prevent sperm from reaching the egg
  • Prevent an egg from being released each month
  • Inactivate or damage sperm
  • Alter the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg doesn’t attach to it
  • Thicken cervical mucus so that sperm can’t easily pass through

METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL

Among the birth control options are:

Hormonal methods including:

  • A vaginal ring which is a flexible, plastic ring that releases a low dose of progestin and estrogen and goes into the vagina. This type prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs that could be fertilized and thickens the cervical mucus, so that sperm cannot move easily. The woman wears the ring in her vagina for 3 weeks, and then removes it for one week, during which she will experience a menstrual period.
  • A birth control pill or contraceptive pill which contains estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. It also makes the lining of the uterus thinner and is very effective If taken right.
  • A birth control patch is a transdermal patch that is worn on the skin. It releases estrogen and progestin. The patch is worn each week for 3 weeks on the buttocks or lower abdomen. To allow for a menstrual period, no patch is worn in the fourth week.
  • The implant is a match-stick sized rod inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. It releases progestin hormone slowly. The implant is effective for up to 3 years, but it can be removed at any time, and then pregnancy is possible. It is highly effective.
  • The contraceptive shot which is a hormonal shot injected every 3 months by a doctor, preventing pregnancy by stopping the woman from releasing eggs. It is called Depo-Provera
Barrier methods including:
  • Condoms which is available for both men and women. The male condom blocks sperm from entering the vagina, which protects against pregnancy. it is placed over the penis before sex begins. The female condom is a thin plastic pouch and has a flexible ring at each end. To hold the condom in position, one end of the ring fixes behind the pubic bone while the other ring stays outside of the vagina. Both female and male condoms offer protection against some STDs and should not be used together to avoid breakage.
  • Spermicide which is a foam, jelly film or cream that is inserted in the vaginal before sex. It contains a chemical that destroys sperm.
  • The diaphragm which is rubber, dome-shaped device inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix. When used with spermicide, it is 88% effective as opposed to when used alone which gives between 77 and 83% effectiveness.
  • A cervical cap which is a rubber device similar to the diaphragm but smaller. This device fits over the cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus. It is more effective when used with a spermicide.
Natural methods including:
  • Abstinence which involves avoiding sex
  • Withdrawal which involves removing the penis from the vagina so that ejaculation occurs outside of the vagina, preventing sperm from being released into the vagina.
  • Rhythm method (tracking menstrual cycle)
  • Ovulation prediction kits
  • Cervical mucus examination which involves checking and recording the consistency of the cervical mucus to help determine when ovulation occurs
  • Basal body temperature
Surgical sterilization methods (this is a permanent method of sterilization) including:
  • Tubal ligation in female where the fallopian tubes are cut, blocked or burned, or a combination of these methods to seal and prevent future fertilization.
  • Vasectomy in men where the tubes that carry sperm from a testicle is cut or blocked, preventing the release of sperm.
Other options include:
  • The intrauterine device (IUD) which is a small, flexible device placed inside a woman’s uterus by a physician. There are two types, the copper IUD which releases copper and works for as long as 10 years, and the hormonal IUD which contains progestin and will last for 3,5,10 years depending on the type. Both types make it harder for sperm to fertilize an egg.
  • Emergency contraception (morning after pills) which may prevent pregnancy after sex. This type can be used up to 72 hours after sex. This is an option if you didn’t use contraceptive or if a woman suspects that her primary method has failed.

Before choosing a birth control method, a woman should carefully weigh the risks and benefits, along with the effectiveness of each method. A thorough discussion with a health care professional can help in the decision process.