Birth Control

Unplanned pregnancy should be avoided. It is important to understand all options available to prevent a pregnancy, and then make an informed choice about what suits a couple best. The various options available are :

  • Hormonal
  • Barrier
  • IUD
  • Methods based on information
  • Permanent sterilization

Barrier methods include

  • Male condoms
    • These are > 98% effective when used correctly & consistently
    • Do’s and Dont’s
      • DO keep condoms in a cool, dry place
      • DO put the condom on an erect (hard) penis before any genital contact
      • DO hold the condom in place at the base of the penis before withdrawing (pulling out) after sex
      • DO throw the condom away after it’s been used
      • DO use water-based lubrication (vaginal sex) or silicone-based (anal sex)
      • DON’T use expired condoms.
      • DON’T unroll the condom before putting it on the penis
      • DON’T leave condoms in hot places (wallet, car, etc.)
      • DON’T use oil-based products (baby or cooking oils, hand lotion, Vaseline, etc.) as lubricants with latex condoms
      • DON’T use your fingernails or teeth while opening the condom wrapper.
      • DON’T reuse a condom
      • DON’T use more than one condom at a time
  • Female condoms
    • Worn inside the vagina or anus
    • Thicker, more tear-resistant
    • Always latex-free
    • Wider opening covers more pelvic area
  • Dental Dams
    • Used for oral sex
  • Diaphragms
    • Perfect Effectiveness Rate = 94%
    • Typical Effectiveness Rate = 80%
    • Latex barrier placed inside vagina during intercourse
    • Fitted by physician
    • Spermicidal jelly before insertion
    • Inserted up to 18 hours before intercourse and can be left in for a total of 24 hours
  • Cervical Cap
    • Latex barrier inserted in vagina before intercourse
    • “Caps” around cervix with suction
    • Fill with spermicidal jelly prior to
    • Can be left in body for up to a total of 48 hours
    • Must be left in place six hours after sexual intercourse
    • Perfect effectiveness rate = 91%
    • Typical effectiveness rate = 80%
  • Spermicides
    • Chemicals kill sperm in the vagina
    • Different forms-Jelly, Film, Foam, Suppository
    • Some work instantly, others require pre-insertion
    • Only 76% effective (used alone), should be used in combination with another method i.e., condoms
  • Birth Control Pills
    • Pills can be taken to prevent pregnancy
    • Pills are safe and effective when taken properly
    • Pills are over 99% effective
    • Pills DO NOT prevent STDs
    • Positive Benefits
      • Prevents pregnancy
      • Eases menstrual cramps
      • Shortens period
      • Regulates period
      • Decreases incidence of ovarian cysts
      • Prevents ovarian and uterine cancer
      • Decreases acne
    • Side effects
      • Breast tenderness
      • Nausea
      • Increase in headaches
      • Moodiness
      • Weight change
      • Spotting
    • Taking the Pill
      • Once a day
      • Use condoms for first month
      • Use condoms when on antibiotics
      • Use condoms for 1 week if you miss a pill or take one late
      • The pill offers no protection from STDs
  • Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)
    • 95-99% Effective A new ring is inserted into the vagina each month
    • Does not require a "fitting" by a health care provider, does not require spermicide, can make periods more regular and less painful, no pill to take daily, ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use is stopped.
  • Depo-Provera
    • Shot given every three months
    • 99.7% effective
    • No daily pills to remember
    • Extremely irregular menstrual bleeding and spotting for 3-6 months!
    • NO menses after 3-6 months
    • Weight change
    • Breast tenderness
    • Mood change
  • Implants
    • Implants are placed in the body filled with hormone that prevents pregnancy
    • Physically inserted in simple 15 minute outpatient procedure
    • Plastic capsules the size of paper matchsticks inserted under the skin in the arm
    • 99.95% effectiveness rate
  • Emergency Contraception
    • Emergency contraception pills can reduce the chance of a pregnancy by 75% if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex
  • INTRAUTERINE DEVICES
    • T-shaped object placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy
    • Must be on period or just after during insertion
    • Extremely effective without using hormones > 97 %
    • Must be in monogamous relationship
  • STERILIZATION
    • Female tubal ligation
      • Surgical procedure performed on a woman
      • Fallopian tubes are cut, tied, cauterized, prevents eggs from reaching sperm
      • Failure rates vary by procedure, from 0.8%-3.7%
      • May experience heavier periods
    • Male vasectomy
      • Male sterilization procedure
      • Ligation of Vas Deferens tube
      • No-scalpel technique available
      • Faster and easier recovery than a tubal ligation
      • Failure rate = 0.1%, more effective than female sterilization
  • Methods based on information
    • Withdrawal
      • Removal of penis from the vagina before ejaculation occurs
      • NOT a sufficient method of birth control by itself
      • Effectiveness rate is 80% (very unpredictable in teens, wide variation)
      • 1 of 5 women practicing withdrawal become pregnant
      • Very difficult for a male to ‘control’
    • Natural Family Planning & Fertility Awareness Method
      • Women take a class on the menstrual cycle to calculate more fertile times
      • NFP abstains from sex during the calculated fertile time
      • FAM uses barrier methods during fertile time
      • Effectiveness rate = 75%
      • No 100% safe day-irregular periods
    • Abstinence
      • Only 100% method of birth control
      • Abstinence is when partners do not engage in sexual intercourse
      • Communication between partners is important for those practicing abstinence to be successful

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