There have never been more birth control options available than there are today. Contraceptives work by either preventing the sterilization of the female egg or by blocking its implantation in the uterus. Methods of contraception include hormonal options, intrauterine and barrier devices, fertility awareness and sterilization. Contraceptives all help prevent unwanted pregnancy but they are not all created equal. It is important to know how effective each method is in order to decide which one is right for you.
Hormonal Methods
Hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, patches and rings use a combination of estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy. When used correctly, "the pill" is effective 92 to 99 percent of the time. An implant--a tiny rod inserted under the skin of a woman's upper arm--releases progestin over three years and has a 99 percent effectiveness rate. A birth control shot, administered by a doctor every three months, works 99.7 percent of the time.
Barrier Methods
Barrier contraceptives are devices which prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. They include male condoms, female condoms and diaphragms. The effectiveness of barrier methods varies widely, and is largely dependent on the competency of the user. Male condoms prevent pregnancy 85 to 98 percent of the time while female condoms have a 79 to 95 percent success rate. Diaphragms, which should be used with a spermicide, have between 84 and 94 efficiency rates. It is important to note that condoms are the only contraceptives that help to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
Intrauterine Methods
The intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped device inserted into a woman's uterus that releases either copper or progestin to prevent pregnancy. Besides being a completely reversible form of contraception, IUDs are one of the most effective with a success rate of close to 100 percent. Despite its advantages, only two percent of U.S. women and 10 percent of European women choose the IUD--largely due to now-discredited myths concerning increased risk of pelvic infections and infertility.
Fertility Awareness
Fertility awareness requires understanding monthly fertility patterns--the number of days per month when pregnancy is possible. Women with regular menstrual cycles have nine or more fertile days per month and can choose either to not have sex on those days or to use another form of birth control. Effectiveness rates are between 75 and 99 percent for this method. Continuous abstinence--abstaining from vaginal intercourse completely--is another form of fertility awareness. It has a 100 percent effectiveness rate in preventing pregnancy.
Sterilization
Sterilization methods of contraception including tubal ligations (female) and vasectomies (male) have close to 100 percent success rates in preventing pregnancy. In tubal ligation, a woman's fallopian tubes are tied to prevent the sperm and eggs from meeting. A vasectomy, which prevents sperm from entering the ejaculate, is an outpatient procedure which typically requires a week or less for recovery. Men who choose this procedure should have their sperm count checked by a doctor before resuming intercourse.
