Birth control generally refers to any plan or method used to alter or avoid the body’s natural state of fertility, thereby preventing or reducing the probability of pregnancy without abstaining from sexual intercourse.
Most women can become pregnant from the age when they start their menstrual periods until their late 40s or early 50s. During the many years before menopause, using a type of birth control is vital to avoiding an unplanned pregnancy.
There are many different types of birth control. Each one has pros and cons. The best birth control types are often ones that fit with your goals, values, desires, and daily lifestyle. Your family history and lifestyle habits should also be considered. Learning about all the types will help you find the birth control that is right for you.
What types of birth control are available?
- There are many to hormonal types to choose from such as birth control pills, the shot, skin patch, and vaginal ring. The Mirena IUD also contains a hormone. Hormonal types of birth control prevent pregnancy by stopping monthly egg production. It can also help relieve heavy periods, cramping and acne.
- Mirena IUD. The IUD is placed in the uterus through the vagina and cervix. The IUD prevents a sperm from fertilizing an egg. It can also stop a fertilized egg from implanting and growing into an embryo. IUDs work very well for 5 to 10 years at a time. The hormonal IUD (Mirena) can also help with heavy periods and cramping.
- Barrier methods include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, Lea’s Shield, sponges, and spermicides. Barrier methods are commonly less effective than IUDs or hormonal methods. Barriers work best in combination with a spermicide. This kills any sperm that get past the barrier before they can travel through the cervix. Unless you know that your sexual partner does not have any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), use a condom every time you have sex.
- Fertility awareness (natural family planning), such as the calendar method. Natural family planning can work well if you and your partner are very careful. However, do not use fertility awareness if you need highly dependable pregnancy prevention. First, you pinpoint your fertile times of the month. (This means charting your body’s “fertile” signs and your basal body temperature daily for at least 2 months.) On fertile days, you must not have sex or you must use a birth control method. If you are a sexually active teen or are not able to predict when you are fertile, you cannot count on fertility awareness to prevent pregnancy.
- Permanent birth control, such as vasectomy or tubal ligation surgery, gives you permanent protection against pregnancy. (On rare occasion, vasectomy or tubal ligation does fail to prevent pregnancy.) However, it is only a good option if you are absolutely sure that you will never want to conceive a pregnancy.
What if I want to have a family one day?
When deciding about the right type of birth control, think about how soon, if ever, you would like to start a family. Although you can become pregnant after stopping any birth control method (or forgetting a few days of pills), some women can take several months to become pregnant after using Depo-Provera shots or high-dose birth control pills.
Can health factors limit my birth control options?
Some birth control methods may not be right for you if you have certain health problems or other risk factors. The pill does not suit all women. If any of the following apply to you, you may not be able to use hormonal methods of birth control.
- You are, or suspect that you are pregnant
- Are breastfeeding and / or are less than 6 weeks postpartum
- Are over the age of 35
- Smoke
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Have active liver disease or a history of liver tumors
- Have a history of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure or some other condition that puts you at risk of a heart attack
- Have diabetes
- Have breast cancer, history of breast cancer or an abnormal growth in the breast
- Have a history of blood clotting problems
- Have cancer or history of cancer of the reproductive organs
- Have migraines or focal neurologic symptoms
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase birth control on-line.
For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
