The Pill
Birth control is a method many women use when they wish to be sexually active but do not want to conceive. According to 4Parents.gov, the birth control pill is the most common form of hormonal birth control used by women. The pill has to be prescribed by a physician and taken on a specific schedule to work properly.
How It Works
The pill is made up of two different types of hormones: estrogen and progesterone. These are synthetic hormones that prevent a woman's body from releasing an egg during menstruation. If no egg is released there is nothing present for the sperm to fertilize. The progesterone thickens the cervical mucus, which lines the cervix. On the rare occasion that an egg is released, it will be difficult for the sperm to travel down the fallopian tube and make it through this wall.
Scheduling
In order for the pill to work properly it has to be taken daily, and it's usually a good idea to take it at the same time every day. This routine will help to better control the ovulation system and allows less room for error. The pills come in a 21 to 28 day cycle and should be taken in the correct order as they are lined in the package specifically. A patient should allow time for the pill to enter the blood stream and begin working before having sexual intercourse. In order to prevent ovulation, the level of hormones must remain elevated above the normal range. The pill will supply a constant stream of hormones to keep this level elevated throughout the woman's cycle.
User Error
Extra protection should be taken if even one pill is missed in a cycle as most pregnancies are caused by missed pills. Because of user error, it is difficult to predict if a patient is at risk of pregnancy. The pill does not offer any protection against sexually transmitted diseases. That said, a condom is a good idea to prevent spreading STDs.
IUDs
Although the pill is the most popular, it is not the only birth control option. There are other options such as an IUD (intrauterine device), which is inserted into the opening of a woman's cervix. This prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. The IUD must be inserted by a physician and is usually done during the menstrual cycle when the cervix opens slightly. This method has advantages such as lack of daily upkeep since the patient is only required to check the "cord" attached to the IUD once a month after menstruation. The IUD can last up to 10 years depending on the type chosen. A few drawbacks include excessive cramping during the menstrual cycle and the risk of the IUD expelling into the uterus.
The Patch
There is also a birth control patch available. This form of birth control works by releasing the same hormones into the blood stream as the pill. This is a small patch placed on the skin and changed weekly instead of daily. Women with a history of blood clots, certain cancers, heart attacks, or a few other conditions should not use the patch due to the higher level of estrogen released from the patch compared with the pill.
Other Methods
There are other various forms of birth control options available such as spermicides and birth control shots. All these methods have their own advantages, drawbacks and risks. However, they all work in basically the same way by releasing controlled amounts of hormones into a woman's body to prevent an egg from being produced.
