With so many different types of birth control available to men and women today, it may be confusing and difficult to choose what is best for you. Some forms of contraception are temporary and others are permanent. Some methods are created for women to use and others are designed for men. According to Americanpregnancy.org, it is important to remember that all forms of birth control have a failure rate with the exception of abstinence.
Male Contraception
Male condoms are made of latex or natural animal tissue and are effective at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, as they act as a barrier. According to Youngwomen'shealth.org, up to 14 out of 100 women will still become pregnant with the use of only a condom. Surgical vasectomy is a procedure where the tubes that carry sperm are severed, causing the male to become infertile. It is possible to reverse such a procedure, but it should be considered permanent. Vasectomy can carry with it a small risk of infection and 0.1 percent failure rate.
Female Hormones
This form of birth control involves a woman taking the manufactured hormones estrogen and progesterone, which, according to Americanpregnancy.org, works in three different ways. First, it prevents a woman's ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Second, it causes the cervical mucus to thicken, making it harder for sperm to reach and penetrate the egg and third, it thins the lining of the uterus, which reduces the likelihood that a fertilized egg will implant in the uterus wall. Female hormone contraception can be delivered in multiple ways, such as oral medication, periodic injections, skin patches and cervical rings. Most estimates place the failure rate of female hormone contraception at five in 100.
Female Barrier Methods
There are several methods that create a barrier within the woman that does not allow sperm to reach the egg. The female condom is a latex barrier that is worn inside the vagina, but it has a failure rate of 21 out of 100, according to Youngwomenshealth.org. Spermacide is a chemical that a woman places inside her vagina each time she has intercourse to kill sperm before it reaches the egg, but some women are allergic. Diaphragms are soft rubber domes that cover the cervix and prevent sperm from passing through. Intra-uterine devices (IUDs) are copper-coated devices that prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
Natural Methods
Natural family planning is a method of contraception that involves tracking the ovulation portion of a woman's cycle and avoiding intercourse during this time, when pregnancy is most likely. It does not involve the use of any chemicals or medications or devices, but it can be difficult to make effective. Approximately 25 out of 100 women will become pregnant by using this method.
Abstinence
Refraining from sexual intercourse is the only method of contraception that is 100 percent successful and prevents both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. It is the only form of contraception that has no side effects.
