5 Things You Need to Know About Avoiding Pregnancy

1. A Personal Decision

Which form of birth control you decide to use when avoiding pregnancy is largely a decision for you, your partner and your doctor to make together. Aside from personal influences, you should base your decision on medical-based facts such as who will use the contraceptive, how it works, any potential side effects and its failure rate.

2. Many Choices Available

Women have many birth control methods from which to choose. They must decide between short and long-term contraceptives; hormonal, surgical or barrier methods; and consider all possible side effects. A permanent choice of birth control is a tubal ligation, in which a doctor closes the fallopian tubes. It is a more complicated abdominal procedure however, with a greater risk of complication. "The pill" is a popular, widely-used hormonal medication with a relatively low failure rate. It is a doctor-prescribed, usually estrogen-based oral medication that women take once a day. However, the pill can have adverse side effects, including stroke and blood clots, so it is not an option for all women. A diaphragm is a doctor-prescribed barrier method that fits inside the vagina to cover the cervix. Diaphragms can be cumbersome to use and also require a spermicidal application. Occasionally, diaphragms can cause urinary tract infections or toxic shock syndrome.

3. Men Have Choices, too

Men can take responsibility for their sexual health and reproduction, as well. A vasectomy is a permanent birth control method that has the lowest rate of failure outside of abstinence. While some men may be uncomfortable with the idea of a surgical procedure, vasectomies are generally safe, quick and have no adverse side effects. Other viable, but less effective options include wearing a condom and the "withdrawal method." A condom is a barrier method of birth control that has a failure rate of one to 33 percent. Despite their unpredictable effectiveness, condoms are popular because they are readily available, inexpensive and easy to use. The "withdrawal method," in which the man pulls out before ejaculation, also has a high failure rate of 19 percent. Despite his best intentions, this method of birth control requires a man to show great restraint and may actually reduce sexual pleasure.

4. Get a Prescription

If you would like to use a doctor-prescribed contraceptive, you need to make an appointment to see your doctor. She will take your medical history, perform a physical evaluation and discuss your options. She can also answer any questions you have about the methods available, including their potential risks and side effects.

5. In Case of Emergency

In the instance that your regular contraceptive method fails, as is the case with missed pills or a broken condom, you may consider emergency contraception. Also called the "morning after" pill, emergency contraception is a hormone-based pill that you can take up to five days after your sexual encounter to reduce the chances of pregnancy.