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 What kind of birth control is right for me?
The type of birth control you choose depends on your needs.
Some people only need to prevent pregnancy. Other people
may also want to protect themselves or their partners from
diseases that can be passed by having sex. These diseases
are called sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some STIs
include acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), chlamydia,
human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, genital warts and syphilis.
Talk with your family doctor about the pros
and cons of each birth control option.
Is saying "no" to
sex really an option?
Yes. No method of birth control is 100% effective. The risk
of getting pregnant or catching an STI may outweigh the pleasure
you get from sex. The only way to make absolutely sure you
don't get pregnant, get someone pregnant or get an STI is
not to have sex at all.
What are barrier methods?
Barrier methods include the diaphragm, the cervical cap,
contraceptive sponges and condoms. These methods prevent
pregnancy by blocking sperm from getting into the uterus.
Barrier methods must be used every time you have sex.
A woman
must visit her doctor to be fitted for a diaphragm or a cervical
cap.
Using a diaphragm, cervical cap or contraceptive
sponge may increase the risk of urinary tract infections
in some women. Some women have allergic reactions with these
methods.
Are condoms a good choice?
Yes. Condoms aren't expensive and are widely available. Condoms
are an especially good choice if you or your partner are
also having sex with other people or if either of you have
had sex with other people in the past.
Of all the barrier method options, condoms offer the most
protection against STIs. Using a spermicide with condoms
can offer better protection against pregnancy, but it may
not increase your protection against STIs. Spermicides containing
nonoxynol-9 can cause genital irritation and can actually
increase your risk of catching an STI.
Female condoms aren't as effective as male
condoms, but they may be a good choice if a man won't use
a male condom.
What about the pill?
Birth control pills work mostly by preventing ovulation (the
release of an egg by the ovaries). Most pills are made of
two hormones called estrogen and progestin. For the pill
to work, you have to take it every day.
Some common side effects of birth control pills
are nausea, headaches, acne, increased blood pressure, breast
tenderness, bloating, weight gain and depression. However,
not every woman who takes the pill will have side effects.
You may have to try several types of birth control pills
before you find the type that is best for you. The pill may
reduce cramping and shorten the number of days of bleeding
during the menstrual period. The pill may also help premenstrual
syndrome (PMS). Women who take the pill should not smoke.
What
about the patch?
The hormonal birth control patch is a thin, flexible patch
that uses estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy. It
is applied to 1 of 4 places -- the buttocks, abdomen, upper
torso or outer arm. The patch is used on a 4-week cycle.
You put on a new patch once a week for 3 weeks. You don't
use a patch during the 4th week and your period will start.
The patch's side effects are similar to those
of the pill. Women who use the patch should not smoke.
What
is the vaginal contraceptive ring?
The vaginal contraceptive ring is a thin, flexible ring that
is inserted into the vagina. It releases hormones that keep
you from getting pregnant. These hormones are the same ones
used in most birth control pills. The ring is left in the
vagina for 3 weeks. It doesn't have to be in a specific position
in the vagina. You remove the ring after 3 weeks and your
period will start. After 7 days, you insert a new ring.
If the ring is out of your vagina for more than 3 hours,
it may not work effectively when you put it back in. To protect
against pregnancy, you will need to use another form of birth
control until the ring has been in all the time for 7 days
in a row.
Women who use the vaginal ring should not smoke.
What
about hormone shots and implants?
Hormone shots work much like the pill to prevent pregnancy.
They may have some side effects, such as headaches and changes
in your period, mood and weight. Depending on what kind of
shot you receive, one shot can prevent pregnancy for either
1 or 3 months.
Hormone implants are no longer available. If
you are currently using hormone implants, you should talk
to your doctor to see what your birth control options will
be when your hormone implants expire. The implants prevent
pregnancy for 5 years, but you can have them removed at any
time.
What about an IUD?
"IUD" stands for "intrauterine device." An
IUD is a small, T-shaped device put in a woman's uterus by
her doctor. Two kinds of IUDs are available, one that contains
copper and another that releases a small amount of the hormone
progestin. Depending on the type of IUD you choose, the IUD
may prevent pregnancy for up to 5 or 12 years. It isn't known
exactly how IUDs prevent pregnancy. They seem to stop sperm
from reaching the egg or prevent the egg from attaching to
the uterus.
Some IUDs used in the past were related to
serious health problems. Today IUDs are safer, but they still
have some risks. Most doctors prefer to use IUDs only in
women who have already had a baby. Side effects of IUDs include
heavier bleeding and stronger cramps during periods.
What
about being sterilized?
Sterilization is when a man or woman has an operation to
permanently prevent pregnancy. If you're sure that you don't
want to have children or you don't want more children, sterilization
may be the right choice for you.
Tubal ligation (also called "getting your tubes tied")
involves closing off a woman's fallopian tubes so eggs can't
travel through them to reach the uterus. A device called
Essure can also be used to close off a woman's fallopian
tubes. Essure is a metal coil that is inserted into your
fallopian tubes by your doctor.
Men are sterilized with a vasectomy. The man's
vas deferens (sperm ducts) are closed off so sperm can't
get through.
What is natural family planning?
Natural family planning requires a couple to learn when in
the woman's cycle she can get pregnant (usually 4 days before
and 2 days after ovulation). They must use a barrier method
of birth control or not have intercourse during those days.
There are a number of ways to keep track of a woman's ovulation.
All of them require a lot of planning and commitment.
Is withdrawal
effective?
No. When a man tries to pull out before ejaculating ("coming"),
he usually leaves behind a small amount of fluid that leaks
from the penis during sex. This fluid has enough sperm in
it to cause pregnancy.
How well does birth control work?
The box below shows the failure rates (number of pregnancies
per 100 women per year) for different types of birth control.
These numbers are for couples who use the methods the correct
way every time they have sex. The failure rates are higher
if you don't use birth control the correct way every time.
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