Contraception Choices

What Is Contraception?

Contraception is prevention of pregnancy by any method.

Contraception, also called birth control, means things to use or ways to try notto get pregnant.

How Pregnancy Occurs

Each month, approximately 2 weeks after a woman bleeds (menstrual period), the ovary releases an egg (called ovulation). The egg travels to the fallopian tube, which connects to the uterus. If sex occurs near the time of ovulation and the man ejaculates (climaxes), sperm are released into the vagina. Sperm travel through the opening of the uterus (cervix) into the uterus and then into fallopian tubes. If a sperm fertilizes the egg, pregnancy occurs.

How Pregnancy Can Be Prevented

Pregnancy can be prevented in three ways: stop ovulation, stop sperm from getting to eggs in the fallopian tube, and change the uterine lining (endometrium) so it won’t support pregnancy.

Pills

Birth control pills, the most common method, contain hormones similar to ovarian hormones and stop ovulation. Use of birth control pills plus smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, or family history of clotting disorders may lead to increased chance of stroke, heart attack, or blood clots.

Implants

Implants are capsules containing a certain hormone that are surgically placed under the skin on the arm.

Progesterone Injections

A contraceptive containing only the hormone progesterone is injected every 3 months and stops ovulation.

Barriers

Condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps are barriers that stop sperm from getting to the egg. All should be used with a spermicide (chemical that kills sperm).

A condom is a thin rubber or animal membrane covering that is put on the penis. A rubber, dome-shaped diaphragm is put in the vagina over the cervix. A cervical cap (small rubber cap) fits right on the cervix. It works like the diaphragm but is smaller.

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

IUDs are small devices inserted into the uterus by a health care provider. They change the uterus or fallopian tube so pregnancy cannot occur. The Copper T is a smallT-shaped plastic IUD with a wrapping of copper. Another IUD produces progesterone.

Permanent Surgical Methods

The two methods are tubal ligation (tying the tubes) in a woman and vasectomy in a man. A tubal ligation is done by special (laparoscopic) surgery. Very small cuts are made and fallopian tubes are sealed or closed. In vasectomy, which is minor surgery, tubes called vas deferens in the scrotum are tied off.

Abstinence (Rhythm) Method

Not having sex around the time of ovulation prevents pregnancy. This method works only if the woman has regular cycles. It is not recommended for young women whose cycles are still changing.

How Do You Choose a Contraception?

Some couples may use more than one form of birth control. Things to think about when choosing a method include how each is used, age, health, frequency of sex, and partner’s feelings about methods.

DOs and DON’Ts in Deciding About Contraception:

  • DOthink about protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) when choosing a method. Certain methods prevent both pregnancy and STDs.
  • DOtry a new method if you don’t like your current one.
  • DOtalk with your partner to figure out the best method.
  • DOtalk with your health care provider about the benefits and risks of your chosen methods.
  • DON’Tassume that your partner is taking care of it.

Hormonal birth control

This kind of birth control uses hormones. Here are some types of hormonal birth control:

  • A tube that is put under skin of the arm (implant). The tube can stay in for as long as 3 years.
  • Shots to get every 3 months (injections).
  • Pills to take every day (birth control pills).
  • A patch to change 1 time each week for 3 weeks (birth control patch). After that, the patch is taken off for 1 week.
  • A ring to put in the vagina. The ring is left in for 3 weeks. Then it is taken out of the vagina for 1 week. Then a new ring is put in.
  • Pills to take after unprotected sex (emergency birth control pills).

Barrier birth control

Here are some types of barrier birth control:

  • A thin covering that is put on the penis before sex (male condom). The covering is thrown away after sex.
  • A soft, loose covering that is put in the vagina before sex (female condom). The covering is thrown away after sex.
  • A rubber bowl that sits over the cervix (diaphragm). The bowl must be made for you. The bowl is put into the vagina before sex. The bowl is left in for 6–8 hours after sex. It is taken out within 24 hours.
  • A small, soft cup that fits over the cervix (cervical cap). The cup must be made for you. The cup can be left in for 6–8 hours after sex. It is taken out within 48 hours.
  • A sponge that is put into the vagina before sex. It must be left in for at least 6 hours after sex. It must be taken out within 30 hours. Then it is thrown away.
  • A chemical that kills or stops sperm from getting into the uterus (spermicide). It may be a pill, cream, jelly, or foam to put in the vagina. The chemical should be used at least 10–15 minutes before sex.

IUD (intrauterine) birth control

An IUD is a small, T-shaped piece of plastic. It is put inside the uterus. There are two kinds:

  • Hormone IUD. This kind can stay in for 3–5 years.
  • Copper IUD. This kind can stay in for 10 years.

Permanent birth control

Here are some types of permanent birth control:

  • Surgery to block the fallopian tubes.
  • Having an insert put into each fallopian tube.
  • Surgery to tie off the tubes that carry sperm (vasectomy).

Natural planning birth control

Here are some types of natural planning birth control:

  • Nothaving sex on the days the woman could get pregnant.
  • Using a calendar:
    • To keep track of the length of each period.
    • To find out what days pregnancy can happen.
    • To plan to not have sex on days when pregnancy can happen.
  • Watching for symptoms of ovulation and nothaving sex during ovulation. One way the woman can check for ovulation is to check her temperature.
  • Waiting to have sex until after ovulation.

Summary

  • Contraception, also called birth control, means things to use or ways to try not to get pregnant.
  • Hormonal methods of birth control include implants, injections, pills, patches, vaginal rings, and emergency birth control pills.
  • Barrier methods of birth control can include male condoms, female condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, and spermicides.
  • There are two types of IUD (intrauterine device) birth control. An IUD can be put in a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy for 3–5 years.
  • Permanent sterilization can be done through a procedure for males, females, or both.
  • Natural planning methods involve nothaving sex on the days when the woman could get pregnant.

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