This means
not having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) at any time. It is the only sure way to
prevent pregnancy and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
including HIV.
01.Natural family planning/rhythm method
This method is when
you do not have sex or use a barrier method on the days you are most fertile
(most likely to become pregnant). You can read about barrier methods in the
following chart. A woman who has a regular menstrual cycle has about 9 or more
days each month when she is able to get pregnant. These fertile days are about
5 days before and 3 days after ovulation, as well as the day of ovulation.To
have success with this method, you need to learn about your menstrual cycle.
Then you can learn to predict which days you are fertile or "unsafe."
To learn about your cycle, keep a written record of:
·
When
you get your period
·
What
it is like (heavy or light blood flow)
·
How
you feel (sore breasts, cramps)
This method also
involves checking your cervical mucus and recording your body temperature each
day. Cervical mucus is the discharge from your vagina. You are most fertile
when it is clear and slippery like raw egg whites. Use a basal thermometer to
take your temperature and record it in a chart. Your temperature will rise 0.4
to 0.8° F on the first day of ovulation. You can talk with your doctor or a
natural family planning instructor to learn how to record and understand this
information.
Barrier methods
Put up a
block, or barrier, to keep sperm from reaching the egg
01.Contraceptive sponge
This barrier method is
a soft, disk-shaped device with a loop for taking it out. It is made out of
polyurethane (pah-lee-YUR-uh-thayn) foam and contains the spermicide
(SPUR-muh-syd) nonoxynol-9. Spermicide kills sperm.
Before having sex, you
wet the sponge and place it, loop side down, inside your vagina to cover the
cervix. The sponge is effective for more than one act of intercourse for up to
24 hours. It needs to be left in for at least 6 hours after having sex to prevent
pregnancy. It must then be taken out within 30 hours after it is inserted.
Only one kind of
contraceptive sponge is sold in the United States. It is called the Today
Sponge. Women who are sensitive to the spermicide nonoxynol-9 should not use
the sponge.
02.Diaphragm, cervical cap, and cervical shield
These barrier methods
block the sperm from entering the cervix (the opening to your womb) and
reaching the egg.
The diaphragm is a
shallow latex cup.
The cervical cap is a
thimble-shaped latex cup. It often is called by its brand name, FemCap.
The cervical shield is
a silicone cup that has a one-way valve that creates suction and helps it fit
against the cervix. It often is called by its brand name, Lea's Shield.
The diaphragm and
cervical cap come in different sizes, and you need a doctor to "fit"
you for one. The cervical shield comes in one size, and you will not need a
fitting.
Before having sex, add
spermicide (to block or kill sperm) to the devices. Then place them inside your
vagina to cover your cervix. You can buy spermicide gel or foam at a drug
store.
All three of these
barrier methods must be left in place for 6 to 8 hours after having sex to
prevent pregnancy. The diaphragm should be taken out within 24 hours. The cap
and shield should be taken out within 48 hours.
03.Female condom
This condom is worn by
the woman inside her vagina. It keeps sperm from getting into her body. It is
made of thin, flexible, manmade rubber and is packaged with a lubricant. It can
be inserted up to 8 hours before having sex.
Use a new condom each time you have intercourse. And don't use it and a
male condom at the same time.
04.Male condom
Male condoms are a
thin sheath placed over an erect penis to keep sperm from entering a woman's
body. Condoms can be made of latex, polyurethane, or
"natural/lambskin". The natural kind do not protect against STIs.
Condoms work best when used with a vaginal spermicide, which kills the sperm.
And you need to use a new condom with each sex act.
Condoms are either:
·
Lubricated,
which can make sexual intercourse more comfortable
·
Non-lubricated,
which can also be used for oral sex. It is best to add lubrication to
non-lubricated condoms if you use them for vaginal or anal sex. You can use a
water-based lubricant, such as K-Y jelly. You can buy them at the drug store.
Oil-based lubricants like massage oils, baby oil, lotions, or petroleum jelly
will weaken the condom, causing it to tear or break.
Keep condoms in a
cool, dry place. If you keep them in a hot place (like a wallet or glove
compartment), the latex breaks down. Then the condom can tear or break.
Hormonal methods
Prevent
pregnancy by interfering with ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation of
the fertilized egg
01.Oral contraceptives — combined pill ("The pill")
The pill contains the
hormones estrogen and progestin. It is taken daily to keep the ovaries from
releasing an egg. The pill also causes changes in the lining of the uterus and
the cervical mucus to keep the sperm from joining the egg.
Some women prefer the
"extended cycle" pills. These have 12 weeks of pills that contain
hormones (active) and 1 week of pills that don't contain hormones (inactive).
While taking extended cycle pills, women only have their period three to four
times a year.
Many types of oral
contraceptives are available. Talk with your doctor about which is best for
you.
Your doctor may advise
you not to take the pill if you:
·
Are
older than 35 and smoke
·
Have
a history of blood clots
·
Have
a history of breast, liver, or endometrial cancer
Antibiotics may reduce
how well the pill works in some women. Talk to your doctor about a backup
method of birth control if you need to take antibiotics.
Women should wait
three weeks after giving birth to begin using birth control that contains both
estrogen and progestin. These methods increase the risk of dangerous blood
clots that could form after giving birth. Women who delivered by cesarean
section or have other risk factors for blood clots, such as obesity, history of
blood clots, smoking, or preeclampsia, should wait six weeks.
02.The patch
Also called by its
brand name, Ortho Evra, this skin patch is worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks,
outer arm, or upper body. It releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into
the bloodstream to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs in most women. It also
thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg.
You put on a new patch once a week for 3 weeks. You don't use a patch the
fourth week in order to have a period.
Women should wait
three weeks after giving birth to begin using birth control that contains both
estrogen and progestin. These methods increase the risk of dangerous blood
clots that could form after giving birth. Women who delivered by cesarean
section or have other risk factors for blood clots, such as obesity, history of
blood clots, smoking, or preeclampsia, should wait six weeks.
03.Shot/injection
The birth control shot
often is called by its brand name Depo-Provera. With this method you get
injections, or shots, of the hormone progestin in the buttocks or arm every 3
months. A new type is injected under the skin. The birth control shot stops the
ovaries from releasing an egg in most women. It also causes changes in the
cervix that keep the sperm from joining with the egg.
The shot should not be
used more than 2 years in a row because it can cause a temporary loss of bone
density. The loss increases the longer this method is used. The bone does start
to grow after this method is stopped. But it may increase the risk of fracture
and osteoporosis if used for a long time.
04.Vaginal ring
This is a thin,
flexible ring that releases the hormones progestin and estrogen. It works by
stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also thickens the cervical mucus,
which keeps the sperm from joining the egg.
It is commonly called
NuvaRing, its brand name. You squeeze the ring between your thumb and index
finger and insert it into your vagina. You wear the ring for 3 weeks, take it
out for the week that you have your period, and then put in a new ring.
Women should wait
three weeks after giving birth to begin using birth control that contains both
estrogen and progestin. These methods increase the risk of dangerous blood
clots that could form after giving birth. Women who delivered by cesarean
section or have other risk factors for blood clots, such as obesity, history of
blood clots, smoking, or preeclampsia, should wait six weeks.
Implantable devices
Devices that
are inserted into the body and left in place for a few years.
01.Implantable rod
This is a
matchstick-size, flexible rod that is put under the skin of the upper arm. It
is often called by its brand name, Implanon. The rod releases a progestin,
which causes changes in the lining of the uterus and the cervical mucus to keep
the sperm from joining an egg. Less often, it stops the ovaries from releasing
eggs. It is effective for up to 3 years.
02.Intrauterine devices or IUDs
·
Copper
IUD — The copper IUD goes by the brand name ParaGard. It releases a small
amount of copper into the uterus, which prevents the sperm from reaching and
fertilizing the egg. It fertilization does occur, the IUD keeps the fertilized
egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. A doctor needs to put in your
copper IUD. It can stay in your uterus for 5 to 10 years.
·
Hormonal
IUD — The hormonal IUD goes by the brand name Mirena. It is sometimes called an
intrauterine system, or IUS. It releases progestin into the uterus, which keeps
the ovaries from releasing an egg and causes the cervical mucus to thicken so
sperm can't reach the egg. It also affects the ability of a fertilized egg to
successfully implant in the uterus. A doctor needs to put in a hormonal IUD. It
can stay in your uterus for up to 5 years.
Permanent birth control methods
For people
who are sure they never want to have a child or they do not want more children
01.Sterilization implant (essure)
Essure is the first
non-surgical method of sterilizing women. A thin tube is used to thread a tiny
spring-like device through the vagina and uterus into each fallopian tube. The
device works by causing scar tissue to form around the coil. This blocks the
fallopian tubes and stops the egg and sperm from joining.
It can take about 3
months for the scar tissue to grow, so it's important to use another form of
birth control during this time. Then you will have to return to your doctor for
a test to see if scar tissue has fully blocked your tubes.
02.Surgical sterilization
For women, surgical
sterilization closes the fallopian tubes by being cut, tied, or sealed. This
stops the eggs from going down to the uterus where they can be fertilized. The
surgery can be done a number of ways. Sometimes, a woman having cesarean birth
has the procedure done at the same time, so as to avoid having additional
surgery later.
For men, having a
vasectomy (vuh-SEK-tuh-mee) keeps sperm from going to his penis, so his
ejaculate never has any sperm in it. Sperm stays in the system after surgery for
about 3 months. During that time, use a backup form of birth control to prevent
pregnancy. A simple test can be done to check if all the sperm is gone; it is
called a semen analysis.
Emergency contraception
Used if a
woman's primary method of birth control fails. It should not be used as a
regular method of birth control.
01.Emergency contraception (Plan B One-Step or Next Step. It is also called the
"morning after pill.")
Emergency
contraception keeps a woman from getting pregnant when she has had unprotected
vaginal intercourse. "Unprotected" can mean that no method of birth
control was used. It can also mean that a birth control method was used but it
was used incorrectly, or did not work (like a condom breaking). Or, a woman may
have forgotten to take her birth control pills. She also may have been abused
or forced to have sex. These are just some of the reasons women may need
emergency contraception.
Emergency
contraception can be taken as a single pill treatment or in two doses. A single
dose treatment works as well as two doses and does not have more side effects.
It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg or keeping the sperm
from joining with the egg. For the best chances for it to work, take the pill
as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It should be taken within 72 hours
after having unprotected sex.
A single-pill dose or
two-pill dose of emergency contraception is available over-the-counter (OTC)
for women ages 17 and older.
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