Types of birth control
There are a huge number of methods of contraception on the market. But they can be split into the following categories:
• Barriers - these include diaphragms, cervical caps, condoms, and contraceptive sponges.
• Hormonal methods - there are two types of hormonal methods, short-acting and long-acting. The short-acting methods come in various forms, including tablets, patches, vaginal rings, and contraceptive injections. These are usually administered daily, weekly, or monthly. Long-acting methods include copper and hormonal IUDs and contraceptive implants. They are designed to last for three to ten years or until the device is removed.
• Awareness methods - these focus on which days you can and cannot get pregnant. They are based on basal body temperature as well as cervical mucus.
• Sterilization - these are permanent methods like vasectomy and tubal ligation in men and women, respectively.
Factors to consider when choosing the best method of contraception
Below are some of the main factors you need to consider when choosing the best birth control method;
1. How effective is contraception?
Some methods of contraception work better than others. The best ones are the ones that require the least amount of effort on your side. For instance, sterilization, IUDs, and implants are some of the best on the market. The reason is that there are no risks, like forgetting to take a birth control pill or not following an instruction that could fail the method. Pills and condoms can also be very effective if they are used consistently and correctly. The least effective contraception methods are self-control types like withdrawal and fertility monitoring (also known as the safe days' method). The choice you make depends on how meticulous you are with following instructions.
2. Side effects
Most contraceptives, especially those that are hormone-based, often cause a few mild side effects. Some of these side effects include tenderness of the breasts, bleeding between periods, weight gain, nausea, damage to the skin and hair, and depression, among others. When determining the best method of contraception, make sure to talk to a professional about the side effects. Consider a technique whose side effects you can tolerate. You can also go for non-hormone based methods like IUDs, which have the fewest side effects.
3. Your long-term reproductive goals
When choosing the best birth control method, it is also crucial that you consider whether or not the method is reversible. There are permanent methods like sterilization that should not be taken lightly. You should only choose permanent contraceptive methods if you are positive that your family is complete. However, if you are looking to plan your family or put off getting pregnant for a later time, consider methods that you can easily stop and reverse completely. The most reversible methods are condoms and oral contraceptives. IUDs are suitable for people that are not ready to have kids for a long time. Pills are also good, but for someone who is on the pill and wants to have kids, the process of ridding the body of the birth control pills may take some time.
4. Health and lifestyle
Some hormone-based methods of contraception are not safe for women with underlying health conditions. Such conditions include liver disease, uterine cancer, and migraine headaches. Also, women who are older than 35 and smoke should stay away from hormone-based birth control because they tend to increase the risk of stroke. Make sure to share your medical history with your health provider when consulting about contraceptive methods.
When it comes to your lifestyle, you need to consider factors like whether or not you are in a monogamous relationship. If you are not, it's best to choose barrier methods because other contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Your age, weight, and daily routine are also factors to consider.
Conclusion
Different contraceptives work in different ways. Some methods work by preventing the sperm from reaching the eggs while others inactivate the sperm. Others thicken the cervical mucus to prevent the sperm from penetrating, and others alter the uterine lining. Before choosing the best method, make sure to consult with a professional and determine the pros and cons of each method.
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