Comparison of birth control methods
It is wrapped in copper which creates a toxic environment for sperm and eggs, thus preventing pregnancy.
[1] IUDs can be removed by a trained medical professional at any time before the expiration date to allow for pregnancy.
This is an option where a medical professional will inject the hormone progestin into a woman's arm or buttocks every 3 months to prevent pregnancy.
[1] Women can also get an implant into their upper arm that releases small amounts of hormones to prevent pregnancy.
The implant is a thin rod-shaped device that contains the hormone progestin that is inserted into the upper arm and can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years.
Like the diaphragm, the contraceptive sponge contains spermicide and is inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.
[1] The female condom is worn by the woman; it is inserted into the vagina and prevents the sperm from entering her body.
[1] Lactational amenorrhea (LAM) is an option for women who have had a baby within the past 6 months and are breastfeeding.
[1] There are two different types of emergency contraceptive pills, one contains levonorgestrel and can prevent pregnancy if taken within 3 days of intercourse.
[5] Use of an emergency contraceptive should occur as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse to reduce the chance of pregnancy.
This is the surgical process where medical professional closes or ties the fallopian tubes in order to prevent sperm from reaching the eggs.
[1] A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure where a doctor will cut the vas deferens and seal the ends to prevent sperm from reaching the penis and ultimately the egg.
Many hormonal methods of birth control, and LAM require a moderate level of thoughtfulness.
For many hormonal methods, clinic visits must be made every three months to a year to renew the prescription.
Both LAM and hormonal methods provide a reduced level of protection against pregnancy if they are occasionally used incorrectly (rarely going longer than 4–6 hours between breastfeeds, a late pill or injection, or forgetting to replace a patch or ring on time).
Minimal or no side effects occur with coitus interruptus, fertility awareness-based, and LAM.
Following the rules for LAM may delay a woman's first post-partum menstruation beyond what would be expected from different breastfeeding practices.
Users sensitive to latex may use barriers made of less allergenic materials - polyurethane condoms, or silicone diaphragms, for example.
[citation needed] Sterilization procedures are generally considered to have a low risk of side effects, though some persons and organizations disagree.
[16] Side effects from hormonal contraceptives typically disappear over time (3-5 months) with consistent use.
[16] Less common effects of combined hormonal contraceptives include increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis to 2-10 per 10,000 women per year and venous thrombotic events (see venous thrombosis) to 7-10 per 10,000 women per year.
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), a progestin-only injectable, has been found to cause amenorrhea (cessation of menstruation); however, the irregular bleeding pattern returns to normal over time.
[15] Male and female condoms provide significant protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when used consistently and correctly.
[17][18] Condoms are often recommended as an adjunct to more effective birth control methods (such as IUD) in situations where STI protection is also desired.
[19] Other barrier methods, such as diaphragms may provide limited protection against infections in the upper genital tract.
Since ecological breastfeeding and fertility awareness are behavioral they cost nothing or a small amount upfront for a thermometer or training.
Actual failure rates are higher than perfect-use rates for a variety of reasons: For instance, someone using oral forms of hormonal birth control might be given incorrect information by a health care provider as to the frequency of intake, or for some reason does not take the pill one or several days, or not go to the pharmacy on time to renew the prescription, or the pharmacy might be unwilling to provide enough pills to cover an extended absence.
Although ECP is considered an emergency measure, levonorgestrel ECP taken shortly before sexual intercourse may be used as a primary method for women who have sexual intercourse only a few times a year and want a hormonal method, but do not want to take hormones all the time.
