Risk content: Birth control uses drugs, devices, or surgical procedures in both males and females to prevent conception. Many birth control options available can be implemented in both men and women; however, few of the various methods are reliable, and their effectiveness depends on how carefully you use that. The best way to choose for yourself is one that is safe, comfortable, and that you can use consistently and correctly. Your preferred method of contraception may change with life stages and can be influenced by factors like age, health history, relationship factors, reproductive goals, etc. It is best to visit the Queen’s gynecology to discuss a suitable birth control method for you and on which you can rely.
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Different ways of birth control
Choosing the best birth control method can be difficult. It is best to first know about all options, and to pick the best for you, talk to the best gynecologist to get help. If you are considering using birth control, you have numerous options, and the best one is one which effectively prevents pregnancy and fits with your normal lifestyle. Generally, a male condom and another form of birth control are considered the most effective way to prevent contraception. The best birth control options for you depend and vary from person to person, as what is suitable for you is not ideal for others. Below we have listed many birth control options for you to make you understand better :
- Barrier methods
Barrier methods are much more than just condoms and are a type of birth control options that places a barrier between the penis and vagina to block the sperm from reaching the egg, and there is no egg and sperm contact. Some methods do double work and act as barriers between the skin and fluids to prevent STIs. This method blocks what you want to stop from where you want to stop during intercourse. The primary function of these methods is to avoid pregnancy by [physically blocking sperm from the uterus
- Male condom
Male condoms are the external thin pouches worn by males over the penis during intercourse. These are designed in such a way that it catches fluid that comes out of the penis so it cannot enter the vagina. After the sexual activity, you must carefully pull it off and dispose of it. These are two types of latex and non-latex options, also many other options for those with a latex allergy. These condoms also protect against STIs, generally among the most effective birth control options to prevent pregnancy.
- Female condom
The female condom, also known as internal condoms, are polyurethane pouches worn inside the vagina by women and are also an effective non-hormonal birth control options and reduce the risk of STIs. These are made from soft, thin synthetic latex or latex and worn inside the vagina to prevent semen from getting to the uterus. Most women can safely use these condoms immediately after having a baby, having a miscarriage, or having an abortion.
- Contraceptive sponge
It is a round-shaped small in size and squishy piece of sponge that contains spermicide and is inserted into the vagina. It creates a barrier between the sperm and cervix as the spermicide slows down sperm so it cannot reach the egg. These sponges are effective with typical use and can be purchased over the counter. Women have to put deep inside the vagina before intercourse to help prevent pregnancy, and each sponge has a fabric loop attached to it, making it easier to take out. It prevents pregnancy in two ways and fits snugly against your cervix, blocking the entrance to your uterus.
- Spermicide
It is another non-hormonal birth control inserted into the vagina before sex and works by damaging and killing sperm in the vagina itself. When used alone, it is less effective than other options in preventing pregnancy. However, you can use this method with another method, like birth control pills or intrauterine devices, but these do not offer protection against STDs.
- Cervical cap
A cervical cap is a rubber cap that can be reused and inserted into the vagina to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. It creates a physical barrier and is most effective when used with spermicide. It covers the cervix so that sperm cannot reach an egg. It comes in different sizes, and your gynecologist will help you to fit it to ensure it stays in place during sex. It is not very effective in comparison to other birth control options.
- Diaphragm
It is a non-hormonal birth control method like a cervical cap and is shaped like a shallow cup, like a saucer made of soft silicon. It is bent in half and inserted in the vagina to cover the cervix and works as a barrier that prevents sperm from joining an egg. It is effective if used with spermicide, a gel or cream that kills sperm. It is a reusable form of birth control, and you need a prescription from a gynecologist to get one from a pharmacy.
Hormonal methods
Hormonal birth control is the method that influences women’s hormone levels, and most of them prevent mature eggs from being released by the ovaries. It has many forms and is used in quite different ways but has a similar effect. These methods reliably prevent pregnancy but also have side effects. It is best to talk to your gynecologist as they will suggest the best out of all. Forms of hormonal birth control methods are:
- Oral contraceptives pills
An oral contraceptive pills is the easiest way to prevent pregnancy; you must swallow a tiny pill daily. There are two types of pills: combination pills and progestin-only pills. Combination pills are the most common birth control pills with two hormones, estrogen, and progestin. You will be protected from pregnancy if you take one pill daily. Progestin pills or mini pills have one hormone in them, and you have to take it within the same three hours daily to get protection.
- Contraceptive patches
It is another hormonal birth control method and is a small, thin, sticky patch that contains two hormones, estrogen, and progestogen. It has to be put on your skin, and both hormones are released into your bloodstream. It helps prevent pregnancy in the same way combined spills do and works on a 28-day cycle. You can apply a new patch every seven days for 21 days and have a seven-day patch break afterward.
- Vaginal ring
It is a flexible, transparent plastic ring with two hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, and prevents pregnancy the same way as the combined pill does. It steadily releases the hormones that control the release of eggs every month. It thickens the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to move through the cervix and thins womb lining, so a fertilized egg is less likely to implant itself.
- Injectable birth control
It is one of the best and most effective birth control options, which is taken as an injection that releases the hormone progesterone into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. It is called Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, which prevents the body from producing its hormones and realizing eggs from the ovaries, and this is also how the contraceptive pills work. It thickens the fluid at the womb entrance and stops the sperm from entering. It is given every 12 weeks to prevent pregnancy.
- Implant
Birth control implant is one of the long-term options for women; that is, a flexible plastic rod about the size of a matchstick placed under the upper arm’s skin. It releases a low and steady dose of progestational hormone to thicken cervical mucus. It also suppresses ovulation, is radio-opaque, and can be seen in X-rays. It offers long-term contraception and is effective.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives
These are effective birth control methods and can prevent unwanted pregnancy up to 20 times better than birth control pills, patches, and vaginal rings. These IUDs are safe and highly effective for women who don’t want to get pregnant. The options are:
- Intrauterine device
There are two main types of IUDs: a small, plastic T-shaped device that your gynecologist inserts in your uterus. There are copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs. Many brands are FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy. Copper IUDs prevent pregnancy for ten years, and hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy for seven, six, or five years.
Sterilization
It is a permanent form of a birth control method that is highly effective at preventing pregnancy; however, it does not protect against STDs. There are two forms of sterilization listed below :
- Tubal ligation
Also known as tubal ligation or tying tubes, a birth control method in which a woman can have her fallopian tubes closed so that sperm and eggs cannot meet for fertilization. The process is done in the hospital, and you can go home on the day of the surgery. This birth control is effective immediately and is the best and most permanent solution.
- Vasectomy
It is a surgical procedure to keep a man’s sperm from going to his penis. His ejaculation does not contain any sperm that can fertilize the eggs. The process is done at an outpatient surgical center, and the man returns home on the same day. The recovery after the operation will be in less than a week, and follow-up should be done to ensure that his sperm count has dropped to zero.
Other forms of pregnancy prevention
Other forms of birth control options do not involve any surgery, pill, or devices :
- Fertility awareness-based methods
Fertility awareness methods, also known as FAMs, are a way to prevent pregnancy by tracking your ovulation. It is also known as the natural birth control method for family planning and is also famous for rhythm. It helps you to track your menstrual cycle, so you know when your ovaries release an egg every month and the days near ovulation are your fertile days when there are high chances of your getting pregnant. FAMs prevent pregnancy by avoiding sex or using another birth control method like condoms on those unsafe productive days. Various FAMs can help you to track your fertility signs.
- The temperature method, you can take your temperature in the morning daily before you get out of bed.
- The cervical method in which you can check your cervical mucus daily.
- The calendar method allows you to chart your menstrual cycle on a calendar to keep track.
It is best to combine all three above-listed methods as when they are used together; they are called the asSymptothermal method. The better you use FAMs, the correct way to track your fertility signs and avoid sex or using birth control options, the more effective they will be.
b . Lactational amenorrhea method LAM
It is another type of birth control that relies on hormones your body makes while breastfeeding. If you strictly and correctly meet the guidelines, it is the best and most effective method to prevent pregnancy. When your baby suckles or drinks milk from your breast, it signals your ovaries to stop making eggs. The release of an egg could start another pregnancy. The extra high level of prolactin which indicates your body makes breast milk works with that mechanism, so it stops having periods, and this whole process is called lactational amenorrhea. It is necessary to follow guidelines with LAM as it along=e is not a birth control method.
Working and effectiveness of birth control options
Many methods of contraception are listed in detail above that, including oral contraceptive pills, patches, vaginal rings, implants, injectables, Intrauterine devices, condoms, male as well as female sterilization, lactational amenorrhea methods, withdrawal, and fertility awareness-based methods. All these methods have different mechanisms of working and effectiveness in preventing unplanned pregnancies. Birth control methods work by
- By Preventing sperm from reaching the egg
- By Inactivating or damaging sperm
- By preventing an egg from being released each month.
- By Altering the lining of the womb so that a fertilized egg doesn’t attach to it
- By Thickening the cervical mucus so that sperm can’t easily pass through it
To be effective, all birth control options, hormonal or non-hormonal, natural or not, each and every option should be used consistently and correctly. Birth control options that require less effort, like IUDs, implants, and sterilization, are linked with lower pregnancy rates. Methods that need monitoring fertility are linked with higher pregnancy rates. The best way that you choose from many depends upon your reproductive goals. If you are planning a pregnancy in the future, you want a technique that quickly stops or is easily reversible, like the hormonal birth control or barrier method. If you’re going to prevent pregnancy for a longer time, you may choose IUD. If you don’t want to get pregnant your entire life, you may choose permanent birth control options like sterilization. In different stages of life, you have options for every stage.
How can Queen’s gynecology help you?
If a woman is sexually active and wants to prevent pregnancy, she should visit the best gynecologist to know all the details about birth control options. There are many choices nowadays, but some methods are reliable and more effective than others. Some like to have the best birth control pill and will need a prescription, while others can’t have pills for their health conditions. Your best to Queen’s Gynecology will get you to visit the best gynecologist in delhi, who will help you to choose a safe and reliable method of birth control.
FAQs
It is better to talk to the best gynecologist about all the details and side effects of the birth control options you choose. Some have no side effects, some have many, and some are potentially serious.
Both male and female condoms are the only methods to protect you from STIs. All others do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.
Birth control methods also provide many other benefits, along with preventing pregnancy. They offer benefits like predictable and lighter periods, decreased risk of STI, and reduced risk of some cancers.
Conclusion
Having sex has a risk of pregnancy associated with it. If you want to prevent pregnancy, then the birth control method is an effective way to avoid it. Birth control options reduce the requirements of emergency contraception and pregnancy termination. If you want to know the best type of birth control, it depends on many factors, like your overall health, lifestyle, and personal preference. Today, more birth control options are available, and with so many to choose from, it can be very confusing. It is best to visit the best gynecologist to discuss them in detail, as only the best gynecologist specializing in women’s reproductive health can make you understand. The best gynecologist will recommend the best birth control method after assessing your overall health and choices.
