Whether you’re looking to prevent pregnancy or avoid getting pregnant, many forms of contraception can help. Each has its pros and cons – some are better suited for different situations than others.
Here’s what you need to know about these different methods:
Male condom
As a barrier method of birth control, men can use condoms. It’s made of latex or polyurethane and can purchase over the counter at many drugstores.
Female condom
A contraceptive barrier for females is a female condom. It’s a thin, soft, loose-fitting sheath that lines the vagina. The female condom has two layers: polyurethane (a synthetic material) or latex that absorbs fluid from the body to create an airtight seal and keep sperm from entering its pores.
The female condom should be inserted deeply into your vagina before sex starts so it can stay in place during intercourse – and if you don’t want to use other contraceptive methods during the pregnancy prevention time frame.
Birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
Contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation. In addition, the hormone progesterone thins the mucus in your cervix and thickens cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach an egg.
Contraceptive pills also prevent ovulation from occurring naturally by avoiding the release of an egg from the ovary each month. To use this contraceptive method, you must take a pill every day at the same time (usually within 72 hours).
Birth control patch
The patch is a small, beige plastic patch that sticks to the skin. It is because your body produces hormones that inhibit pregnancy. The patch is changed every week for three weeks, and you have one week off.
One of the best methods of birth control is the patch. But, unfortunately, it has a failure rate of less than 1% by using correctly.
There are two kinds of birth control patches:
- The combination patch contains both estrogen and progestin
- The mini-pill has just progestin in it
Contraceptive Ring
A contraceptive ring is a small, flexible plastic ring that you insert into your vagina. The contraceptive ring has two hormones in it: oestrogen and progestin. When you wear the ring, it releases these hormones into your body so that they can prevent pregnancy.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
A contraceptive device placed in the uterus by a healthcare provider is an IUD. An IUD is a small, T-shaped device made of plastic or copper. It stays inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy for 5 to 10 years and can be removed anytime without harmful effects.
IUDs are one of the most effective forms of birth control available today because they’re 98 per cent effective when used correctly every time you have sex (compared to the average failure rate for other methods like condoms and pills).
The Contraceptive Implant
The contraceptive implant is a small, flexible rod inserted under your upper arm’s skin. It releases a hormone called progestogen into your body to prevent pregnancy.
It can be used for up to 3 years and will not affect other medications you may take for conditions like high blood pressure or asthma.
The contraceptive injection
Contraceptive injections are a hormone-based method of birth control. It’s injected into your arm every three months, lasting up to 12 weeks without needing to be rescheduled or repeated.
The side effects include headaches, abdominal pain, breast tenderness (which should subside after about 1–2 weeks), nausea, and vomiting.
These are usually mild or moderate in severity and do not interfere with daily activities like work or school. Some women experience changes in their menstrual cycle, such as increased bleeding between periods or spotting between injections; however, these side effects usually go away within a few days after starting the injections again.
The advantages include easy access for women who are unable to take pills due to medical conditions (such as diabetes), no risk of sexually transmitted infections because there is no need for condoms during intercourse, and no risk of pregnancy because it prevents fertilisation by preventing ovulation from occurring within its time frame – typically 24 hours following administration but sometimes sooner depending on age-related factors.”
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a small, flexible rubber cup that fits over the cervix of your vagina. It puts in place by inserting it into your vagina and then twisting it to create a seal around your cervix. It allows sperm to pass through but prevents pregnancy from occurring.
When used correctly, you should use it at least every 24 hours. If you have sex without using a condom or do not correctly wear a birth control method, you may be more likely to become pregnant while using this type of contraception as well as other forms of contraception such as hormonal methods or condoms alone – especially if they break during sex!
You must remove the diaphragm before having intercourse again, so make sure you do so within 15 minutes after removal if possible; otherwise, throw it away after use because there isn’t much point in keeping something back inside anyway!
Sterilisation
Sterilisation is a permanent contraceptive method involving surgically removing the fallopian tubes or other organs. It’s not 100% effective, but it can be reversed in some cases and is often a good option for people who change their minds or don’t want to have children later on.
- Male sterilisation: This involves blocking the sperm from entering through the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm from the testes to the ejaculate). This procedure requires surgery and usually takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
- Female sterilisation is the blocking or removal of both fallopian tubes, preventing eggs from travelling down to the uterus for implantation. It’s a permanent method of contraception that involves surgery, but you can have it reversed if you change your mind later.
Conclusion
Many types of contraception available can help you prevent pregnancy and keep your health in check. The most important thing is to ensure you’re using the right type for your situation.
