Choosing the right birth control for your family planning needs is very important. Everyone should be in control of when they have a baby, and birth control can give you that option. While every method has its own effectiveness at preventing a pregnancy, not every form of birth control protects against sexually transmitted diseases. Know what your options are for your own body so you can make informed choices when it comes to birth control.
Abstinence
This is a traditional method of birth control that is simple and straightforward. Abstinence simply means refraining from having sex. This is becoming more and more popular among teens who choose not to make adult decisions before they feel they are old enough to handle it.
Surgery
A safe and in some cases drastic measure of birth control is pursuing surgery. For females, this would be a tubal ligation. The tubal ligation is a surgery wherein the fallopian tubes are severed at the end, burned and then tied off to prevent an egg from fertilizing. This is considered a permanent method although in some cases it can be reversed. A vasectomy is for men who have decided they no longer want to have children. A small area of the vas deferens is cut or burned then sealed so that sperm cannot pass through into an ejaculation. Both procedures are about 99 percent effective.
Barrier Methods
The barrier method of birth control consists of creating a barrier or blocking the sperm from entering the birth canal and impregnating the woman. Common barrier methods include condoms for both men and women and the diaphragm. Male condoms are around 88 to 97 percent effective, female condoms are 75 to 95% effective and the diaphragm is around 82 to 94 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. It is recommended to use a spermicide or spermicidal jelly when using a barrier method, as they can break or tear during sex.
Implantable Devices
Implantable devices are also popular with some women. One of the most common is the IUD or intrauterine device. This plastic device is implanted into the uterus by a gynecologist. It thickens the wall of the cervix so that sperm is unable to pass through. Typically, an IUD will last between five and 10 years. They are between 95 and 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. The Norplant system is implanted under the skin of the arm and prevents pregnancy by up to 99.9 percent.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills remain a popular option for many women. Most pills contain estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. They also create a cervical mucus to prevent sperm from passing through. The pill is a very effective form of birth control if taken properly---every day of the month. The pill provides a 99.9 percent pregnancy prevention rate.
