Birth control: Choose the right one
There are various methods to prevent pregnancy, including condoms and birth control pills. Choosing the right birth control method can be difficult because of the many factors to consider, such as the cost, plans for pregnancy, side effects, and so on.
If you want to avoid becoming pregnant, there are numerous ways to do so. Every time you open a magazine, there’s a new birth control product on the market. As a result, how to choose the right birth control for her?
Calculating how many women get pregnant after using the method for a year is used to determine the method’s effectiveness.
One in every 100 women who use a contraceptive method that is 99 percent effective will get pregnant in a year.
Here, you will learn how to choose the best birth control method for you.
How do you know what kind of contraception to use?
One method of birth control does not fit all. Some birth control methods have advantages and disadvantages.
When deciding on a method of birth control, consider the following factors:
- Do you plan to start a family soon?
- Is there anything wrong with your health?
- How frequently do you engage in sex?
- How many people have you had sex with?
- Do you also require protection against HIV and other STDs?
- How effective is the method of birth control?
- Is there a risk of side effectswith this birth control?
- Will you be able to use it appropriately every time you try?
How does birth control work?
Contraceptives come in several forms, each of which has its unique mechanism of action. Birth control methods fall into four broad categories:
- Lifestyle
It could imply that you and your partner are taking steps to prevent unwanted pregnancy by using birth control. This approach entails a combination of abstinence, circumcision, and heightened awareness of one’s reproductive potential.
- Barrier
It is common for people to use contraception as a barrier method. Before sex, you or your partner(s) are using a method to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg by injecting something into the body. External and internal condoms, as well as a spermicide, are a few examples.
- Hormonal
Regular use of hormonal birth control is most common. Depo-Provera is just one of the many forms of birth control available. In addition to hormonal birth control, intrauterine devices (IUDs), such as the copper IUD, are another option. The number of hormones in the body varies depending on the method of contraception. The ovaries stop releasing eggs, the mucus around the cervix thickens, or the uterine lining thins as a result of these treatments.
- Medical
A vasectomy or tubal ligation is an example of a medical procedure that alters the body and thus prevents it from fertilizing or conceiving.
Types of birth control
The following information covers a wide range of contraceptive options. Before deciding on a method of birth control, you should consult with your partner and your doctor.
Only when birth control methods are used correctly can they be effective. Make sure you know how to use the method you have chosen correctly.
- Condom
In addition to protecting against most STIs, the condom also prevents pregnancy. This hormone-free, on-demand method of birth control is portable and easy to use. It’s also available for both sexes.
Male condoms are rolled onto an erect penis to prevent sexual fluids from passing between people during sex. Right before having sex, the female condom is inserted into her vagina. The female condom is less effective than the male latex condom. Getting used to it may take some time.
- The Oral Contraceptive Pill
The oral contraceptive pill is the most common method of contraception. It’s all about finding the pill that’s right for you from a variety of options. Estrogen and progestin are both found in the combined pill, while the progestin-only mini-pill is found in the mini pill form. Taking the pill on schedule is essential because of the numerous advantages it may provide. Now, you can also get birth control online without delay.
- Intrauterine Device (IUD)
A healthcare provider inserts this small, T-shaped device into a woman’s uterus, which is made of a material containing progesterone hormone or plastic and copper. One of the most effective methods of birth control, it can last from three to ten years, depending on the type.
Some IUDs contain hormones that are released over time to prevent pregnancy. Having an IUD fitted by a healthcare professional within five days (120 hours) of having unprotected sex is effective emergency contraception.
- The Contraceptive Implant
Under the skin of the upper arm, a small, flexible rod is inserted to release a progesterone hormone in its natural form. The hormone prevents the ovary from releasing an egg and thickens the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb, thus preventing conception. The rod must be replaced every three years after a small procedure with local anesthesia to fit and remove the implant.
- The Contraceptive Injection
An injectable progestogen is a synthetic form of the hormone. It is injected into a woman’s buttocks or upper arm, and the hormone gradually enters her bloodstream over 12 weeks.
- Emergency contraception pill
You can use the emergency Contraception Pill after a sexual encounter to prevent pregnancy if you didn’t use contraception before or your condom broke during sex.
For as long as five days after having unprotected sex, the “Morning After” pill can be effective. If taken within the first three days after sex, it prevents about 85% of all expected pregnancies; the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is
Specially formulated female hormones are found in this pill. Even women who are unable to take other oral contraceptives can use the emergency contraceptive pill. There is no need for a prescription to purchase this medication from a pharmacy or chemist.
Nausea, vomiting, and an early or delayed period are all possible side effects of the emergency contraceptive. There is no protection from STIs provided by emergency contraception.
- Contraceptive Ring
A flexible plastic ring is placed in the vagina by the woman and is constantly releasing hormones. After three weeks, you take it out, rest for a week, and then replace it. Two hormones are released by the ring: estrogen and progestogen. These hormones are similar to those in the combined oral contraceptive pill at a lower concentration.
- Diaphragm
A diaphragm is a small, soft silicone dome that is placed inside the vagina. It prevents sperm from entering the uterus. Like a condom, it acts as a physical barrier between the sperm and the egg.
There should be at least six hours between sex and moving the diaphragm. You should clean it after six hours, but no more than 24 hours after sex.
- Sterilization
To sterilize is to remove the body’s ability to reproduce through open or minimal surgery. This method of contraception is ideal for those who are sure that they will never have children or do not want any more children. Women and men can undergo sterilization in a hospital under general anesthesia.
What to discuss with your doctor if you’re considering sterilization includes your reasons for wanting to be sterilized, whether other methods of contraception might be more appropriate, and any side effects, risks, and complications of the procedure. All types of birth control are easily available in any pharmaceutical shop.
