Forms of Contraception

     Contraception is a means of avoiding or preventing pregnancy.  There are a number of options for men and women to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.  Most of these methods are reversible, but there are a few options that are permanent.  Barrier methods of birth control are physical or chemical barriers that are meant to stop the sperm from entering the uterus of a woman.  Hormonal methods, on the other hand, work in three ways.  One is that they prevent the ovaries of a woman from releasing an egg each month.  Second, they can cause the cervical mucus of a woman to thicken, which makes it more difficult for the sperm to reach and penetrate the egg. Third, when the lining of the uterus thins, this reduces the chances that a fertilized egg can implant the uterus wall.  It is imperative that you understand that hormonal contraceptives do not protect you against obtaining a sexually transmitted disease. 

     It is very important to be knowledgeable about all the different forms of birth control in order to know what is the right form for you.  Keep in mind that the majority of these methods do not prevent STDs.  All forms of birth control have a failure rate, so there is no guarantee of prevention of pregnancy with any form of birth control.  Before you decide what is best for you, let's take a look at the many options that are available to you.

Natural Family Planning:

     Natural family planning is otherwise known as the fertility awareness method.  It does not rely on any type of medication or device in order to prevent pregnancy.   Instead, it is a method that relies on the woman taking careful notes and observations of her body and her menstrual cycle.  She must record her body temperature and note the changes in her cervical mucus.  This will let her know when her ovulation period is.  During the ovulation period, she would either abstain from sex, use a barrier method, or the withdrawal method in order to avoid pregnancy.  One advantage of this method is that it does not have any side effects.  Another advantage is that it does not cost any money.  A major disadvantage is that this is one of the most unreliable forms of birth control and results in the most pregnancies.

Abstinence:

     When we think of preventing pregnancy, we often forget about the most reliable prevention of all, abstinence.  Abstinence means not being involved in sexual activity.  Please remember that this is the only form of birth control that is 100% effective.  Please, if you are not ready to take the risk of becoming pregnant, use this form of contraception.  It also will prevent you from getting a sexually transmitted disease.

Male Condom:

     The male condom is a thin material such as latex rubber that is placed over the erect penis before contact with the woman's vagina.  This method of birth control is the most common for several reasons.  First, it is very convenient, as it can be purchased over the counter at any grocery or convenience store.  Second, it is fairly inexpensive.  Are there any disadvantages?  Some couples do not prefer to use a condom because they feel it decreases pleasure.  Additionally, a condom can break.  This can result in an unwanted pregnancy.  Third, many couples complain that it spoils the moment when they must pause to get a condom.

Female Condom:

     The female condom is a polyurethane pouch that is seven inches long and has two flexible rings.  It is placed in the vagina before intercourse begins.  The female condom covers the area around the vagina, cervix, and vaginal canal. 

Spermicides:

     Spermicides are chemicals used to kill sperm.  They can be purchased as jelly, foam, vaginal suppositiories, and foaming tablets.  Spermicides can both block the cervix, preventing it from joining the egg and keep the sperm from moving so it cannot join the egg.  Spermicide is not very effective when used alone.  It is more effective if you also use a male or female condom. 

Diaphragm:

     The diaphragm is a soft rubber dome that is stretched over a flexible ring.  It is filled with a spermicidal cream or jelly and inserted into the vagina.  It is placed over the cervix and must be done so no more than three hours before having intercourse.  One disadvantage of this is that you must time it correctly in order for this form of birth control to be effective.

Cervical Cap:

     The cervical cap is a little cap that is made out of plastic or latex rubber.  It is filled with spermicidal jelly or rubber and inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix.  It prevents pregnancy by keeping the sperm from coming into contact with an egg.  It blocks the opening of the uterus and the spermicide stops sperm from moving.  This form of birth control is more effective for women who have never given birth, so if you have given birth before, you may want to consider another contraceptive or using a condom in addition to a cervical cap. 

Contraceptive Sponge:

     The contraceptive sponge is made from polyurethane foam and contains spermicides. It is soft and shaped like a saucer and is about two inches in diameter.  It is inserted deep into the vagina before intercourse.  It is considered to be safe and convenient.  It is considered more effective for women who have never given birth.  If you have given birth before, you may want to consider another form of contraception or also using a condom to improve your chances of pregnancy prevention.  Remember that it does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. 

Birth Control Pills:

     There are two types of birth control pills that are commonly prescribed.  The first is a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.  The second is one that uses only progesterone.  One advantage to the pill is that it is considered 98 to 99% effective against pregnancy.  There are, however, some reported side effects to the pill.  Some women report nausea and weight gain.  Other breast-feeding mothers report that they have had a reduction in their breast milk production.  There are also some risks involved, such as increased blood pressure, an increase in your chance of developing blood clots or even having a stroke.  If you are on the pill, it is a bad idea to smoke, especially if you are over 35 years old.  Smoking increases your chances further of having a stroke or developing blood clots.  There are some positives reported about the pill too.  Birth control pills are said to improve acne, reduce cramping during the menstrual cycle, improve PMS symptoms, and regulate irregular menstrual cycles. 

Depo-Provera:

     Depo-Provera is an injection that is administered by your OB/GYN to prevent pregnancy for three months.  It is considered to be safe, convenient, and effective.  Less than one out of 100 women will get pregnant if they use the shot correctly.  Keep in mind that the birth control shot will not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. 

Lunelle:

     Lunelle is an injection that is administered by your OB/GYN that will prevent pregnancy for one month.  The injection contains synthetic estrogen and progestin.  It is obtained by prescription only.  It prevents pregnancy in one of three ways.  First, it can prevent the eggs from being released into the ovaries.  Second, it makes the cervical mucus thicker, which keeps the sperm from reaching the egg.  Finally, it can change the lining of the uterus which prevents the implantation.  If you choose Lunelle, your OB/GYN will inject the hormones into your buttocks or upper arm.  Lunelle has a low failure rate.  In fact, only 1 in 1,000 women will get pregnant when Lunelle is used correctly.  There are some side effects that may occur.  These include headaches, breast tenderness. slight weight gain, vaginal bleeding, nausea and vomiting, and bloating.  Lunelle should not be used by women who smoke, have high blood pressure, have uterine or breast cancer, a history of blood clots, heart attack or stroke, have diabetes, liver disease, or are allergic to hormones.  If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, you also should not take Lunelle. 

Vaginal Ring/Nuva Ring:

     The vaginal ring or Nuva Ring is a flexible ring that is placed into the vagina for three weeks.  For one week, then, you go without a ring, and then replace it with a new ring.  The ring's effectiveness is due to estrogen and progesterone being released into your body.

Ortho Evra Patch/Birth Control Patch:

     The Ortho Evra Patch or Birth Control Patch is placed on the hip, buttocks, or upper arm directly on the skin.  The patch has hormones built into the sticky side of the patch.  The advantage to this form of birth control is that it will stay on for three weeks, and then you take a week off for your menstrual period.  The patch releases hormones, but some women find this is an easier form of birth control than the pill because they do not have to remember to take something on a daily basis. 

Intrauterine Device:

     The Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small plastic t-shaped device that contains hormones.  It must be inserted by a doctor.  Though it does not keep the sperm from entering the uterus, it does change cervical mucus which lowers the chance that fertilization will occur and it modifies the lining of the uterus, which keeps implantation if the fertilization were to occur.  There are some side effects.  Women report having heavy bleeding and cramping during menstruation.  One advantage of the IUD is that it is highly effective with a failure rate of only about 1%.  (This means that only one pregnancy occurs out of 100 women using an IUD over the course of a year). 

Withdrawal:

     Withdrawal occurs when the penis is removed from the vagina before ejaculation occurs.

Sterilization:

     If you are 100% sure you are finished having children or are positive that you do not want children now or in the future, there are permanent contraception options available to you.  The first is for females.  Women can have their tubes tied, known as tubal ligation.  This involves the surgical closing of the fallopian tubes.  The fallopian tubes carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.  With tied tubes, this will not be able to occur.  For men, a vasectomy is an option.  This involves the surgical closing of the tubes that carry the sperm.  Again, before choosing either of these options, be sure of your decision not to have children, as these are considered permanent options.