Pregnancy is one of the greatest gifts in a woman’s life. But, pregnancy at the wrong time can be disastrous as well. There is very little awareness among people regarding birth control methods. Additionally, there are also wrong beliefs and misunderstandings that surround birth control. Some people even consider using it as a sin. While others see pregnancy as a hindrance in their sexual life. These wrong beliefs and thought process only increase the problems related to it.
Surgery is the first thing that hits many people’s minds once they hear the word birth control. Moreover, many people think it is just applicable to women, and men need not have to go through this process.
Pregnancy can be stopped without any surgery. In this article, we will go through different methods and types of birth control that are in practice at present.
Types of birth control
- There are broadly three different categories in birth control. Temporary, long duration, and permanent.
- Use of condoms, pills, patches, contraceptive rings, diaphragm, cervical cap, and injection comes under temporary methods.
- Copper T and contraceptive implant come under long duration methods.
- Tubectomy and vasectomy go under permanent sterilization methods.
Temporary methods
- Using Condom: Most people know what a condom is. There are two types of condoms, one that is used by men and other is used by women. Using this during sexual intercourse will prevent the sperm from entering the uterus, thereby it effectively prevents pregnancy. Some condoms make use of spermicides, which kills sperms as soon as it is released into it. Moreover, it only works outside our body, so it is totally harmless. Additionally, it prevents many sexually transmitted diseases. But, it should be made sure the condoms are not damaged before use.
- Contraceptive pills: This is for women. These pills contain progesterone and estrogen hormones or chemicals. These hormones prevent the release of eggs and prevent pregnancy. It should be consumed for 21 days, starting from the 2nd day after the completion of periods. Apart from blocking the eggs, it thickens the mucous membrane and stops pregnancy. It should be consumed at the right time every day. Failing to take it at the right time or skipping it in-between increases the chances for its failure. Additionally, there could be some side effects for women who use it. So, it should be taken with Doctor’s advice.
- Emergency Contraceptive Pills: This is also for women. It should be taken within 24 hours after intercourse. It can fail to work when it is not taken at the right time. Also, it brings in many side effects if taken regularly. So, it is really important to use it with Doctor’s guidance.
- Contraceptive Patch: When this patch is applied to the skin on various places like abdomen, hands, buttocks, upper outer arm, and thigh regions. It releases progesterone and estrogen hormones through the skin and blocks the production of eggs. So, it will prevent pregnancy. It should be used starting from the first day after periods. It is widely becoming popular among women in many countries. But, this patch is can fail as well.
- Contraceptive Rings: Wearing contraceptive rings from the first day after periods will prevent the release of eggs by releasing progesterone and estrogen hormones. Thereby it prevents pregnancy. Again, this has chances for failure.
- Spermicides: Spermicide is a chemical that kills sperms. It is available in gel and cream forms. It should be applied to the vaginal tract of a woman. It has 50% chances of failure when used separately. But, when it is used along with cap or diaphragm, it fetches good results.
- Diaphragm: Diaphragm contraceptive looks like a dome-shaped cup. It is made of rubber. It should be used by women before intercourse. When it is put in in the right place, it prevents the sperms from entering the uterus. It needs to be removed within six hours after the intercourse. Initially, it should be used with Doctor’s help. After getting used to it regularly, women can use it by themselves. It has 50% probability of failure when used separately. But, it works best when used along with spermicides.
- Cervical cap: The cervical cap is also made of rubber as well. It should be inserted over the mouth of the uterus. It prevents the sperms from entering the uterus. It works more like the diaphragm. But, it is available in different sizes. Again, using it separately increases the probability of its failure by 50%, so, it is better to use it with spermicides.
- Contraceptive injection: This is also for women. This injection should be taken with three months interval. This will release progesterone hormone and stops production of eggs. Additionally, it will thicken the mucous membrane and stops the sperms from entering the uterus. It is one the most widely used method worldwide. Chances for its failure is only 6%. But, as it can induce side effects in some women, it should be taken with Doctor’s advice.
Long duration birth control methods
- Copper T: It is a birth control instrument which will be inserted into women’s reproductive organ by a Doctor, during the last day of periods. It is available in various sizes. It can work for nearly 5 years. There are two types of copper T. One that uses hormones and other type doesn’t use hormones. Copper T with hormones will thicken the mucous membrane in women and blocks the sperms from entering the uterus. Cooper T without hormones will block the workings of sperm. Additionally, it can be removed anytime to make way for pregnancy.
- Contraceptive Implant: Contraceptive implant looks like a small needle. It will be implanted into a woman hand. This will release progesterone hormone and stops pregnancy. It works for nearly 3 to 5 years time frame. It is available in two varieties. It can be removed to make way for pregnancy. Its chances for failure is only 1%, making it one of the most effective methods to stop pregnancy.
Permanent Methods
- Tubectomy: It is a permanent method for birth control. In this method, fallopian tube in a woman will be removed or blocked. If it is blocked, the block can be removed surgically in the future for pregnancy. But if the fallopian tube is removed completely, there is no chance for future pregnancies. This surgery is simplified recently with laparoscopy.
- Vasectomy: This method is carried out in men. In this method the pathway for sperms to reach the semen will be blocked, also after this surgery, the release of semen and sperms will be blocked completely. It is relatively a simple procedure over tubectomy. This surgery can be completed within 30 minutes and the person can be discharged within 1 hour after the procedure.