Birth control use is a safe and effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Choosing the right method of contraception depends on your current relationship status, any health concerns you may have as well as your personal beliefs. It is important to realize that birth control is generally effective at preventing pregnancy, but only male and female condoms can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted disease.
Hormonal Methods
Hormonal birth control methods use hormones in two ways. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, they prevent the body from releasing an egg each month and they change the consistency of cervical mucous and the environment in the uterus, so that even if the body releases an egg, it is not fertilized. When used properly, hormonal birth control methods are a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. In addition to birth control pills, hormonal birth control is available as an injection, an implant and a vaginal ring. A health care provider will perform a physical examination before prescribing hormonal birth control.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods are the most popular form of birth control worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic. They work by creating a physical barrier between the egg and the sperm. Most people are familiar with the male condom, but there are other forms of barrier birth control available, including the female condom, diaphragm, shield, sponge, spermicide and the cervical cap. Barrier methods of birth control are ideal for people who want to avoid hormones and those who do not want to visit a health care provider for access to birth control.
Intrauterine Devices
More commonly referred to as IUDs, intrauterine devices are T-shaped medical devices. A physician implants one into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUDs available, hormone and copper. Hormone IUDs remain in place up to five years and release the hormone progestin into the uterus. The progestin thickens the cervical mucus, thins the lining of the uterus and makes the sperm less active, all of which reduce the odds of a fertilized egg. Hormonal IUDs commonly cause lighter periods. Copper IUDs can remain in place for up to 10 years. They release copper into the uterus, which blocks fertilization and prevents the egg from implanting on the uterine wall. Copper also reduces the ability of the sperm to fertilize the egg.
Natural Family Planning
Natural family planning is the use of one or more natural indicators to determine when you are fertile. During the times of the month when you are fertile, abstain from sex or use an alternative form of birth control. Two common forms of natural family planning are charting body temperature and maintaining a calendar. Charting body temperature allows you to determine when you are fertile because body temperature rises slightly during ovulation. The calendar method involves charting your menstrual cycle on calendar to determine when you are ovulating. Both methods require more diligence than other forms of birth control, and are more effective if you chart, with either a calendar or temperature, for several months before discontinuing other forms of birth control. Everyone is different, and to work effectively, you must determine what your average body temperature is or how long your average menstrual cycle is. One or two days or degrees may not sound like much, but it is the difference between fertile and infertile times.
