Comparing Birth Control Methods

Overview

Which birth control method is best for you depends on your stage in life, your long-term family planning goals, your need for protection from sexually transmitted infections and the preferences of you and your partner. Safe and effective birth control options are plentiful and widely available. Nonetheless, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintentional. Avoid becoming part of the statistic by learning about the available choices.

Barrier Methods

Barrier protection prevents sperm cells from reaching and fertilizing the egg. Among barrier methods are the male condom, the female condom, the cervical cap and the diaphragm. These methods are temporary and must be used every time you engage in intercourse. Male condoms are the most common and offer protection against many sexually transmitted diseases.

Hormonal Methods

Hormonal birth control methods are available for women but not men. They can be based on estrogen or progesterone. Hormonal birth control can be administered orally, absorbed through a skin patch, implanted into the body or injected or inserted vaginally. Some, such as the pill, have to be taken regularly, while others, such as implants, last for as long as three years. Hormonal birth control methods tend to be among the most effective available, and they can be undone quickly if you decide you want to become pregnant. But they offer zero protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

Intrauterine Devices

The intrauterine device or IUD is a T-shaped piece that fits into a woman's uterus. It alters the uterine environment to make it hostile to fertilization. It's not clear exactly how it does this, but it may be by causing an inflammatory reaction in the uterine lining. An IUD can be kept in place for five to 10 years, depending on the model. IUDs are already highly effective, but some are designed to release hormones, rendering them even more effective. Some women experience heavy menstrual flow and cramping as a result of an IUD, and a few experience complications such as an infection. An IUD must be inserted by a medical professional. It offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.

Natural Methods

Natural birth control methods do not involve changing the body's hormones or mechanically keeping sperm and egg separated. It's possible to tell, with reasonable accuracy, when ovulation occurs by monitoring body signs in what's known as fertility awareness methods. Options include keeping track of basal body temperature, monitoring changes in the cervical mucous, observing symptoms such as tenderness in the breasts and discomfort in the abdomen, using ovulation prediction kits and, for women with highly regular menstrual cycles, charting expected ovulation by the calendar.

Another natural method is withdrawal, in which a man removes his penis from the vagina before releasing semen. But this method is only about 75 to 80 percent effective, meaning that over the course of a year, at least 25 of 100 women depending on this method will get pregnant.

Sterilization

If you're sure children--or more children, if you're already a parent--are not in your future, sterilization may be an option to consider. In women, the procedure is known as tubal ligation. In men, a vasectomy is performed. These are the most effective birth control methods, failing in fewer than 1 percent of cases. Operations to reverse the procedures are available, but they are not always effective. And while you'll no longer have to worry about unplanned pregnancy, you still must take care to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.