Types of Birth Control

Birth control, also known as contraception, is any method, device, or medicine used for pregnancy prevention. Choosing the appropriate contraceptive method involves putting into consideration many elements. Couples, women, or men must consider its safety, acceptability, and availability. Read on to learn about the different types of birth control.

 

Natural Family Planning

You can avoid pregnancy by identifying the fertility symptoms in your menstrual cycle. Natural family planning monitors three different signals:

 

• Menstrual cycle length - You avoid sexual intercourse in your ovulation days, often 14 days before the next period. You may find it efficient if you have a regular cycle

• Daily body temperature readings - When ovulating, your basal body temperature rises to 0.5 to 1 degree

• Changes in cervical mucus - You know you are ovulating when your mucus is wet, stretchy, and transparent
  
   

Note that one out of four women who use this method gets pregnant. With strict adherence to the daily procedure, the chance of pregnancy may go down. Hence, be diligent and careful and practice self-control for this method to work.

 

Birth Control Pills

A birth control pill needs to be taken every day at the same time to be fully effective. It helps reduce bleeding and cramping and works 99 percent of the time in preventing pregnancy. It releases progestin, a blend of hormones that thicken your cervical mucus and prevent ovaries from egg release. The thick mucus makes it hard for sperm to access your uterus.

 

IUD

It is possible to prevent pregnancy by using an intrauterine device (IUD). It is a T-shaped device that prevents pregnancy once inserted in the uterus by a medical care professional. There are two different types:

 

• Copper nonhormonal IUD – Deter sperm and prevent them from meeting with the egg to prevent pregnancy

• Plastic hormonal IUD – release small amounts of progestin to intercept ovulation and make it impossible to conceive a baby
  
   

An IUD can last between 3 to 10 years. The period of use often depends on the type of IUD you choose. They all work 99 percent of the time in pregnancy prevention.

 

Implants

You can prevent pregnancy by placing a tiny rod in your upper arm under the skin. The method works by preventing pregnancy or conception 99 percent of the time. It lasts three years.

 

The implant releases progestin hormones to stop the release of eggs from your ovaries. It also prevents sperm from getting into your uterus by thickening your cervical mucus. One example of an implant is NEXPLANON®.

 

Shot

Your medical care provider can inject progestin hormone into your hip or arm to help prevent pregnancy. The shot lasts only three months. It works by preventing conception 99 percent of the time. It stops the release of eggs from your ovaries. It also makes the cervical mucus thick to prevent sperm from entering your uterus.

Vaginal Ring

You can prevent conception 99 percent of the time by inserting a flexible ring into your vagina every month for three weeks. It helps prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs as it releases hormones. It also makes it hard for sperm to enter your uterus by thickening your cervical mucus.

Condoms

2 out of 100 women get pregnant if their male partners always use condoms appropriately. It helps prevent conception 98 percent of the time. Condoms come in two different materials, polyurethane and latex.

 

There are two types of condoms, male and female. A male condom prevents pregnancy by preventing sperm from accessing the vagina when a man ejaculates. You wear it on an erect penis.

 

A female or insertive condom works 95 percent of the time by preventing pregnancy. You wear it by inserting it into your vagina. 5 out of 100 females get pregnant by using the female condom correctly.

 

Condoms are among the most accessible and affordable types of birth control. They also protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).


 

For more information about birth control, contact Partners in Obstetrics & Women’s Health at our office in New Lenox, Illinois. Call (815) 240-0554 to book an appointment today.