does birth control prevent pregnancy

Birth Control: Choosing a method that is right for you

What kind of method of birth control is right for me?
The type of method of birth control you choose depends on your needs. Some people only need to prevent pregnancy. Other people may also want to protect themselves or their partners from diseases that can be transmitted through sex. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including AIDS (AIDS by its initials in English), chlamydia, herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea and syphilis. Talk to your family doctor about the pros and cons of each option for birth control.

How effective is birth control?
The chart below shows the rates of infectivity, the percentage of women who get pregnant, the different types of birth control during the first year that a couple uses. These numbers apply to couples who use the methods in the right way the first time they have sex. Infectivity rates are higher if you do not use the methods in the right way every time.

Is saying "no" really an option?
Yes, the risk of getting pregnant or contracting an STD may outweigh the pleasure you get from sex. The only way to ensure you will not get pregnant, you will not get someone pregnant or you will not get an STD is not to have sex.


What are barrier methods?
Barrier methods include the diaphragm, cervical cap and condoms. These methods prevent pregnancy by blocking sperm from reaching the uterus. Methods must be used every time you have sex.

What about the diaphragm and cervical cap?
Diaphragm
These are also good choices. A woman should see your doctor to make that fit a diaphragm or cervical cap.
And some women, the diaphragm may increase the risk of urinary infection.

And condoms are a good choice?
Yes, condoms are inexpensive and are readily available. Condoms are a good choice, especially if you or your partner are having sex with other people, or if any of you have had sex with someone else before.

Condoms offer the best protection against STDs. Using condoms with a spermicide may offer better protection against pregnancy, but may not be suitable for everyone. For example, spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 can cause genital irritation and increase the risk of acquiring an STD.

Female condoms are not as effective as male condoms, but can be a good option when the man will not use a male condom.

What about the pill?
Birth control pills work mostly by preventing ovulation ie releasing an egg from the ovaries. Most pills contain two hormones estrogen and progestin. Birth control pills may cause side effects such as nausea, headaches, swollen breasts, water retention, weight gain and depression. For the pill to work, you have to take it every day. Women taking the pill should not smoke.

The pill may reduce cramping and shorten the number of days of bleeding during the menstrual period. The pill may also help pre-menstrual syndrome, PMS (PMS by its initials in English).

What about the patch?
The Food and Drug Administration, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recently approved the use of a hormonal patch for birth control. The patch uses estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy. This applies to one of four locations: the buttocks, abdomen, upper torso or outer arm side. Side effects of this are similar to the pill.

How do implants and injections hornonales?
Implants (Norplant) and injections (Depo-Provera) hormonal function much like the pill but only contain the hormone progestin. These can have side effects such as headaches and changes in menstrual period, mood and weight.

The implants prevent pregnancy for 5 years. You can have them removed at any time. The implants prevent pregnancy for 3 months.

What about an IUD?
"IUD" stands for intrauterine device. It is made of flexible plastic. The IUD is inserted by a doctor in the woman's uterus. It is not known exactly how IUDs prevent pregnancy. They seem to stop sperm from getting into contact with the egg or prevent the egg from attaching to the uterus.

Some IUDs used in the past were related to serious health problems. Today, IUDs are safer, but still have some risks. Most doctors prefer to use the IUD for women who have had a son. Side effects of IUDs include heavier bleeding and stronger cramps during the period.

What about being sterilized?
Sterilization is when a man or a woman undergoes surgery to prevent pregnancy permanently. If you are sure you do not want children, or that do not want more children, sterilization is a good choice.

The tubal ligation is also known as "tubes tied" is to close the fallopian tubes of women in order that the eggs do not reach the uterus. The fallopian tubes are the tubes through which eggs travel to reach the uterus.

Men are sterilized with a vasectomy. The sperm ducts (vas deferens) of men are closed off so sperm can not get through.

What are natural methods of family planning?
The natural family planning methods require that the couple knows the time during the woman's cycle in which she can get pregnant, usually four days before and two days after ovulation, and the use of other birth control or not having intercourse during those days. There are several ways to track ovulation in women. All require a lot of planning and commitment.

And the method of coitus interruptus (withdrawal) is effective?
No. When a man tries to pull out before ejaculating ("coming") usually leaves behind a small amount of fluid from the penis during sex. This liquid has a sufficient amount of sperm to produce a pregnancy.