Birth Control Choices

Deciding what method of birth control to use is not easy. Important considerations to keep in mind are :

•  To choose the birth control option which will be the most effective.

•  To keep in mind any medical problems that may affect the choice of birth control methods.

•  To use the birth control option which is easiest to use and economical.

•  To get your partner to support your decision of birth control.

•  Do you want more children in the future?

•  Choose a method, which will protect against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV?

Birth Control Choices :

•  Abstinence: This method is 100% reliable because when you refrain from sex, you cannot get pregnant. It also protects from sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. The biggest drawback is that your partner might not agree to refrain from sex.

•  The Shot- Depo Provera: This method is reliable 97-99% or more. A shot (hormonal injection of Depo Provera) is given every three months to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg. It also changes the lining of the uterus (womb).Safe and effective and simple to use. Women usually have no menstrual periods while getting the injections. It is safe for breastfeeding mothers. Commonly causes irregular bleeding. Possible side effects include weight gain, headaches, or mood changes. No protection against sexually transmitted disease and HIV

•  Oral Contraceptive pills: These pills are 92-99.7% effective. Combination pills contain estrogen and progestin. Others are progestin-only. Pills contain hormones that work in different ways. Combination Pills prevent release of egg , also, thicken cervical mucus to keep sperm from joining egg and rarely, prevent fertilized egg from implanting in uterus Whereas Progestin-Only Pills usually, thicken cervical mucus to keep sperm from joining egg , less often, prevent release of egg and rarely, prevent fertilized egg from implanting in uterus. Pill must be taken at about the same time every day to be effective against pregnancy. Possible side effects include weight gain, headaches, and mood changes. It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. The advantages of combination pills are reduced incidence of acne, iron deficiency anemia, and premenstrual tension. periods become more regular , reduces risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers, noncancerous growths of the breast, and ovarian cysts , can be used to control timing and frequency of periods, fewer tubal pregnancies and may protect against osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). Click at Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Othro , Tri-Phasil and Nordette 28 to know more about Oral Pills.

•  IUD : This method is 97% reliable. A small thin, flexible T-shaped device is inserted inside the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy. A small string attached to the device protrudes from the cervix and the woman can feel the string inside her vagina. This is to ensure the device is in place. This method is safe, effective, and simple to use and is effective for eight or more years. A doctor can remove it whenever you want to become pregnant.

•  Cervical cup/ Diaphragm: This method is reliable 82% and upto 94% if used carefully.A doctor fits a small rubber cup inside vagina and over the cervix (opening) of the uterus (womb). It is best used with spermicides. It can be put into place two hours before lovemaking and should be used only during intercourse. The drawback with this method is that it can be messy and needs to remain in place for six to eight hours after intercourse. Use of foam, jellies, and creams may cause irritation to the vagina and cervix.

•  Spermicide : This method is 71-85% effective. It is in the form of contraceptive foam, cream, jelly, film, or suppository - deep into your vagina shortly before intercourse to immobilize sperm and keep them from joining egg. Spermicide dissolves in vagina. It doesn't offer protection from Sexually transmitted diseases, is not particularly effective when used alone - using condoms or a prescription barrier method, as well, greatly increases effectiveness , it can be messy, may irritate vagina or penis - which may increase risk of infection and may set off allergies.

•  Withdrawal- This method is 73% -96% effective. It is a method in which the man pulls his penis out of the vagina before he ejaculates (comes) to keep sperm from joining egg. It is not Not effective against sexually transmitted infections. It is not recommended because many young men lack the experience and self-control to pull out in time, some men cannot tell when they are going to ejaculate, some men ejaculate very quickly, before they realize it and before ejaculation, almost all penises leak fluid - pre-ejaculate - that may contain sperm and cause pregnancy.

•  Emergency Contraception (EC) ... It is designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected vaginal intercourse.It is provided in two ways: Emergency IUD insertion within seven days of unprotected intercourse is 99.9% effective . Emergency contraception pills - can reduce the risk of pregnancy if started within 120 hours of unprotected sex. They work best when taken within 72 hours - during this time they can reduce the risk of pregnancy from 75 to 89% . The sooner a woman starts EC, the more effective it may be. Nausea, vomiting, and cramping are common side effects when combined hormones - estrogen and progestin - are used. But progestin-only pills cause fewer of these side effects. EC is for use only if a woman is sure she is not already pregnant from a previous act of intercourse. It delays release of egg, keeps sperm from joining with egg, or prevents the egg from implanting in the uterus. It will not cause an abortion. Don't use emergency hormonal contraception if you are pregnant or are allergic to the medication

•  Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) - This method is 75-99% effective. In this method a professional teaches a woman how to chart her menstrual cycle and to detect certain physical signs (daily basal body temperature , daily texture of cervical mucus and occurrence of menstrual cycles) This helps a woman to predict fertility or "unsafe" days. She must abstain from intercourse (periodic abstinence) or use condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, shield, or spermicide during the nine or more "unsafe" days of her cycle (FAMs) . It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. However this method is not recommended for women with very regular periods and it may take 6-12 months of training and record keeping before a couple can try to use the method.

•  Hormonal Patch ( Ortho - Evra) : This method is effective upto 99.7%. A thin plastic patch is paced on the skin of buttocks, stomach, upper outer arm, or upper torso once a week for three weeks in a row. A new patch is used each week. The Patch protects against pregnancy by releasing estrogen and progestin that prevent pregnancy . It is not effective against sexually transmitted infections . It advantages are that it protects against pregnancy for one month , there is nothing to put in place before vaginal intercourse and no pill to take daily. Its disadvantages are skin reaction at the site of application , contact lens wearers may have a change in vision or become unable to wear lenses and may not be as effective for women who weigh more than 198 pounds . Click here at Ortho - Evra to know more .

Choose a birth control method, which suits your lifestyle, is most effective, is safe to use, is affordable and reversible as well.

Click here to know about Birth Control Precautions