A Concise Introduction on Birth Control Methods

Birth control methods are an effective way to avoid unwanted pregnancies and a good start of family planning. With the passage of time, many new kinds of birth control methods have now become available that include oral medication as well as surgical alternatives.

What is Birth Control

Any kind of medical or preventive steps taken to avoid pregnancy is birth control. Birth control helps a woman make a decision regarding her pregnancies. Birth control allows the woman to choose the number of children she wants to have and the space between each child. Various surgical methods are also available for both the sexes in this regard.

Natural family planning and morning after pill are some other contraceptive methods; however the only 100% effective birth control method is abstinence. The process of birth control may be called the first step towards family planning.

Types of Birth Control Methods

There are a number of birth control steps that can be employed in order to avoid pregnancies. These methods include protection with medication as well as surgical methods.

Means of Protection

Condoms

Usually made of latex or polyurethane, condoms are used during sexual intercourse to prevent the risk of pregnancy. Condoms are very effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, gonorrhea and syphilis. A new condom should be used every time before an intercourse and should be immediately discarded after usage to avoid leakage.

Diaphragms

A diaphragm is a small, dome shaped cup that covers the cervix so as to stop the sperm from entering inside. It is used with spermicidal gel or cream, which prevents sperm from entering the uterus and reduces the chances of pregnancy. A diaphragm has to be inserted at least 6 hours before the intercourse and left in place for 24 hours for repeated intercourse with additional spermicidal gel.

IUD (Intrauterine Device)

A t-shaped device inserted in the uterus by a doctor, IUD is one of the most effective forms of birth controls, with the success rate of 99%. Made of flexible plastic; at the end of an IUD hang two transparent strings that ensure that the IUD remains intact. IUD provides protection from pregnancy from about 5 to 12 years.

Birth Control Medication

Birth Control Pills

The most commonly used contraceptive medications are pills. They contain synthetic female hormone estrogen and progestin. These hormones prevent pregnancy by either preventing ovulation or by keeping the mucous thick in the cervix so as to keep sperm from entering it. There are some birth control pills which have to be taken before intercourse while morning-after pills are also available.

Contraceptive Patches

It is one of the newest forms of birth control also sold under the brand name of Ortho Evra. Contraceptive patch is worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks or upper body which helps in secretion of estrogen and progesterone in the bloodstream. This helps to suppress ovulation, thicken cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining. Worn for a period of 3 weeks, the contraceptive patch is applied once a week.

Injections (Depo-Provera)

A progestin injection is taken once in every three months that inhibits ovulation and prevents sperm from reaching the eggs and prevents egg from implanting in the uterus. However, as Depo-Provera injects large amount of progestin in body it causes side effects like weight gain, dizziness, headache, depression and hair loss. Serious health complications like breast cancer, cervical cancer and infertility can also occur with constant use of Depo-provera.

Surgical Birth Control Methods

Tubal ligation

A permanent kind of birth control surgery for women, tubal ligation is also known as getting tubes tied or female sterilization. It is a surgical procedure in which a woman's fallopian tubes are cut or tied so as to stop the eggs from reaching her uterus. This process also blocks the sperm from reaching along the tube to meet the eggs. A tubal ligation process is reversible.

Vasectomy

A procedure that takes away a man’s ability to impregnate a woman by sterilizing him. Vasectomy renders a man infertile by severing the tubes that carry sperm into a man’s ejaculation that is the vas deferens. It is a simple procedure of 30 minutes that effectively prevents any unwanted pregnancies.

With modern researches and technology, a large number of new birth control methods have been developed. These medicines and surgical methods are designed to provide you with easy and risk free sexual intercourse. However, birth control methods should be according to one’s body needs and doctor’s recommendation.