Birth Control 101
Bringing a child into the world is one of the most beautiful, and amazing things anyone can experience.
Having a child while you are still young, potentially still in school, and not completely set-up in life may not be the ideal situation for many individuals. Check out these ten common methods of birth control to ensure you don't have any unplanned pregnancies.
Type: Continued abstinence
How it works: Individuals restrain from having sexual intercourse altogether.
Effectiveness: 100 per cent
Pros: The only guaranteed method of birth control.
Cons: Individuals will not experience the physical pleasures derived from sex.
Type: Male condom
How it works: Blocks sperm from entering the vagina and fertilizing the egg.
Effectiveness: 86 - 98 per cent
Pros: Can be purchased cheaply at any corner pharmacy or general store and stops the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's).
Cons: Can reduce sensation during sexual intercourse and there is the potential for breakage.
Type: Combined hormone pill
How it works: Pills containing both estrogen and progestin is taken daily. It suppresses ovulation and thickens cervical mucous thereby blocking sperm and preventing fertilization.
Effectiveness: 95 - 99 per cent
Pros: Very effective and relatively convenient.
Cons: Women over the age of 35 and that smoke may not be advised to take the pill, as it could increase the chance of heart attack, blood clots, and stroke.
Type: Mini-pill
How it works: Pills containing only the hormone progestin is taken daily. It thickens cervical mucous thus blocking sperm from fertilizing the egg.
Effectiveness: 95 -99 per cent
Pros: Good option for women not able to take estrogen, and is also convenient and has a high effectiveness.
Cons: Must be taken at the same time each day for maximum effectiveness.
Type: Depo-Provera
How it works: A high-dose progestin shot is given every 12 weeks. It suppresses ovulation and thickens cervical mucous thus stopping fertilization.
Effectiveness: 99 per cent
Pros: Highly effective and convenient.
Cons: Can cause altered periods and sex drive, weight gain occurs, and pregnancy may be harder once the shots are stopped.
Type: Ortho Evra (The Patch)
How it works: Thin, plastic patch applied to upper arm, buttock, or stomach and left for three weeks; the fourth week it is removed. Contains estrogen and progestin and prevents ovulation, and thickens cervical mucous thus preventing fertilization.
Effectiveness: 95 -99 per cent
Pros: Highly effective and convenient.
Cons: Irritation can occur to the site of application.
Type: IUD
How it works: a plastic T-shaped device is inserted into the uterus by a clinician hormones or copper to prevent fertilization.
Effectiveness: 97 - 99 per cent
Pros: Highly effective and convenient.
Cons: Risk of uterine infection increased for first four weeks following insertion, and increased cramping and heavier periods.
Type: Female condom
How it works: Used with spermacide, the polyurethane sheath has two rings, one fitting over the cervix, the other positioned outside the vagina. It prevents sperms from entering the vagina.
Effectiveness: 79 - 95 per cent
Pros: Can be purchases over the counter and stops the transmission of STD's
Cons: Unreliable, can slip during use, and can be difficult to insert.
Type:
Diaphragm
How it works: Initially fitted to a person by a clinician it is used in conjunction with spermacide and inserted before intercourse. It blocks sperm from entering the uterus.
Effectiveness: 80 - 94 per cent
Pros: Protects against STD's
Cons: Not very effective and not convenient.
Type: NuvaRing
How it works: Small flexible ring inserted into the vagina, left there for three weeks, removed for fourth week. Contains estrogen and progestin, thickens cervical mucous,
Effectiveness: 95 - 99 per cent
Pros: Highly effective and convenient.
Cons: Estrogen can reduce milk supply, so nursing mothers may not want to use it.
Having a child while you are still young, potentially still in school, and not completely set-up in life may not be the ideal situation for many individuals. Check out these ten common methods of birth control to ensure you don't have any unplanned pregnancies.
Type: Continued abstinence
How it works: Individuals restrain from having sexual intercourse altogether.
Effectiveness: 100 per cent
Pros: The only guaranteed method of birth control.
Cons: Individuals will not experience the physical pleasures derived from sex.
Type: Male condom
How it works: Blocks sperm from entering the vagina and fertilizing the egg.
Effectiveness: 86 - 98 per cent
Pros: Can be purchased cheaply at any corner pharmacy or general store and stops the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's).
Cons: Can reduce sensation during sexual intercourse and there is the potential for breakage.
Type: Combined hormone pill
How it works: Pills containing both estrogen and progestin is taken daily. It suppresses ovulation and thickens cervical mucous thereby blocking sperm and preventing fertilization.
Effectiveness: 95 - 99 per cent
Pros: Very effective and relatively convenient.
Cons: Women over the age of 35 and that smoke may not be advised to take the pill, as it could increase the chance of heart attack, blood clots, and stroke.
Type: Mini-pill
How it works: Pills containing only the hormone progestin is taken daily. It thickens cervical mucous thus blocking sperm from fertilizing the egg.
Effectiveness: 95 -99 per cent
Pros: Good option for women not able to take estrogen, and is also convenient and has a high effectiveness.
Cons: Must be taken at the same time each day for maximum effectiveness.
Type: Depo-Provera
How it works: A high-dose progestin shot is given every 12 weeks. It suppresses ovulation and thickens cervical mucous thus stopping fertilization.
Effectiveness: 99 per cent
Pros: Highly effective and convenient.
Cons: Can cause altered periods and sex drive, weight gain occurs, and pregnancy may be harder once the shots are stopped.
Type: Ortho Evra (The Patch)
How it works: Thin, plastic patch applied to upper arm, buttock, or stomach and left for three weeks; the fourth week it is removed. Contains estrogen and progestin and prevents ovulation, and thickens cervical mucous thus preventing fertilization.
Effectiveness: 95 -99 per cent
Pros: Highly effective and convenient.
Cons: Irritation can occur to the site of application.
Type: IUD
How it works: a plastic T-shaped device is inserted into the uterus by a clinician hormones or copper to prevent fertilization.
Effectiveness: 97 - 99 per cent
Pros: Highly effective and convenient.
Cons: Risk of uterine infection increased for first four weeks following insertion, and increased cramping and heavier periods.
Type: Female condom
How it works: Used with spermacide, the polyurethane sheath has two rings, one fitting over the cervix, the other positioned outside the vagina. It prevents sperms from entering the vagina.
Effectiveness: 79 - 95 per cent
Pros: Can be purchases over the counter and stops the transmission of STD's
Cons: Unreliable, can slip during use, and can be difficult to insert.
Type:
Diaphragm
How it works: Initially fitted to a person by a clinician it is used in conjunction with spermacide and inserted before intercourse. It blocks sperm from entering the uterus.
Effectiveness: 80 - 94 per cent
Pros: Protects against STD's
Cons: Not very effective and not convenient.
Type: NuvaRing
How it works: Small flexible ring inserted into the vagina, left there for three weeks, removed for fourth week. Contains estrogen and progestin, thickens cervical mucous,
Effectiveness: 95 - 99 per cent
Pros: Highly effective and convenient.
Cons: Estrogen can reduce milk supply, so nursing mothers may not want to use it.
