Hormonal Birth Control Birth control options that contain the hormones estrogen and/or progestin (progesterone). This type of birth control method includes the combination pill (containing both estrogen and progesterone), the mini pill (progesterone only), implants (Norplant) which contains progesterone, and injections (a slow-release, synthetic form of progesterone). Each of the different hormone based forms of birth control have side effects that need to be weighed by you and your physician before a choice can be made.
Barrier Birth Control Birth control options that prevent the sperm and egg from meeting. Barrier methods include the well known male condom which prevents the sperm from entering the woman's reproductive system, the female condom, diaphram, cervical cap, and vaginal spermicides. Unless an allergy to latex or rubber is present in one of the users, side effects of these types of birth control are usually linked to the spermicides utilized. Female and male condoms are the only forms of birth control that help to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including the AIDS virus.
Intrauterine Device Birth control that is placed into a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy by either releasing progesterone and/or by irritating the uterine lining, making implantation difficult. This method is usually suggested to women that have already had at least one child. In the past women had developed infections from use of IUDs. Medical advances have made the incidence of infection much lower, making this method of birth control much safer.
Natural Birth Control Birth control methods that utilize either the knowledge of a woman's cycle, or the lack of ejaculating inside a woman at all. The best and most effective natural birth control method is abstinence, or the lack of sex. Other methods of natual birth control include fertility awareness and natural family planning (charting a woman's fertility signs and either avoiding intercourse or using a barrier method during the fertile intervals), breastfeeding (must breastfeed exclusively, first six months only), rhythm, and withdrawal, also called coitus interruptus. The efficacy of these methods vary considerably, and a great deal depends on the couple using the method. The efficacy rates are from 97% (fertility awareness and natural family planning with almost perfect use) to as little as 60% (withdrawal and rhythm with almost perfect use), so the risk of pregnancy needs to be considered.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Debbi Carter's Birth Control topic, please visit the Discussions page.