There could be zillion reasons why you are looking for the right birth control. If your life plan currently doesn’t involve adding a new member to it, then opting for a safe and effective birth control method is a sensible choice. As varied as the reasons could be there are as many options for birth control too.
You can make an informed decision if you are aware of different types of birth control methods and their pros and cons. Remember that whenever you make a choice, choose the one which is affordable, easy to use and safe.1
Birth Control Methods To Choose From
1. Hormonal Methods
Hormonal methods are the most popular birth control method require you to either wear a patch or pop a pill consistently to reduce the chances of a pregnancy. They release hormones like estrogen, progesterone or both. The hormones prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg, thereby lowering the chances of being fused by a sperm. They also cause the mucus in the uterine cervix to thicken.
Both these events are not supportive for fertilization to happen hence a pregnancy can be avoided. The hormones are commercially usually available as pill, patch or a vaginal ring.
Things To Remember While Using Hormonal Pills
You need to keep track of their use as any failure to stick to a regular routine can weaken their action. They are not going to protect you from STDs and can interact with certain antibiotics, HIV drugs, and anti-seizure medications. Mild side effects include nausea, breast tenderness, loss of libido. Prolonged consumption can lead to cancer, deep vein thrombosis, and heart attack.2
2. Chemical And Physical Barrier Methods
Barrier methods are very good at not allowing the entry of semen into your birth canal. These include male and female condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap and chemical spermicides in the form of VCF, foam, gel, sponge. a radical way to prevent fertilization is by undergoing sterilization procedures like vasectomy in males and tubal ligation in females.
Things To Remember While Using Barrier Methods
Barrier methods take some time for getting used to and are at least 85% effective in preventing pregnancy. Tubal ligation and vasectomy are excellent at preventing pregnancy but are quite radical approaches. It doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted diseases Condoms are the only birth control methods that provide protection against STDs provided that are made of synthetic materials like latex.
3. Intrauterine Devices
Small devices that can be placed within the uterus, IUDs offer long-term birth control option that’s reversible. It can be both copper or hormonal IUDs and they work by obstructing sperm movement. It’s a very good alternative for women who are breastfeeding and have a low risk of pelvic inflammatory disease or STDs.
Things To Remember While Using IUDs
You would need a skilled health professional to insert it for you. Hormonal IUDs are better than copper IUDs since they don’t interrupt with the menstrual cycle or cause ectopic pregnancy or weight gain. However, copper IUDs, although effective can lead to menstrual irregularities like painful and heavy periods, perforation of the uterine or even expulsion of the device.
4. Natural Methods Of Birth Control
The ancient modes of birth control are the natural methods. These include abstinence, where no vaginal intercourse is involved and withdrawal wherein the penis is withdrawn out of the vagina right before ejaculation. Fertility awareness method (FAM) is all about finding the most fertile days of the month and avoiding sexual activity on those days. If you are breastfeeding, you are more likely to be infertile for the first 6 months of breastfeeding period.
Things To Remember While Following Natural Methods
Natural methods at almost 100%effective however, it requires a lot of willpower from both you and your partner for it to become a success. Many couples find these methods to be mood killers and hence prefer the rest of the methods like hormonal, barrier protection or IUDs.
Ultimately, it’s advised that you adopt at one kind of birth control method while indulging or not. Barrier protection methods like condoms are convenient and can guarantee you protection against dreadful sexually transmitted diseases. Before you make a decision, gather the rightful information and choose wisely!
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