Options For Birth Control
26 July 2010Birth control options often seem confusing because of the numerous possibilities, the number of factors that influence the choice and the potential side effects that come with certain methods. You can only evaluate the birth control options with a specialist, a health care provider that can prescribe the most suitable one. Here are the elements that require immediate consideration.
-age;
-health condition;
-the stability of your sex life;
-whether you smoke or not;
-the efficiency of birth control options;
-plans to have children etc.
Birth control pills usually represent the most popular of birth control options. They are suitable for young women involved in stable relationships who have a good health condition. If you are over 35, you are a smoker or you have a more peculiar medical record, you should search for other possibilities.
Condoms make the only birth control options that provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. The efficiency rate for birth control is 85% with condoms, but if used carefully and correctly, the safety is much higher. There is nothing to worry about if you follow the usage instructions carefully and you buy latex condoms only.
For the optimal use of spermicides and diaphragms, the application should happen prior to sexual intercourse. Leave the diaphragm in the same place for six hours after intercourse, before removal. Spermicides kill spermatozoon, but the efficiency rate is lower than with hormonal birth control options.
Hormonal patches represent other popular birth control options that many young women use. Their action is very similar to that of the hormonal pill; yet, it saves one the trouble of daily administration, and the possibility to forget about the pill. Nevertheless, there are side effects specific to hormonal birth control options, and you should be informed on them before starting any treatment. Talk to a health care provider to get answers to all of your questions.
The intrauterine device or IUD is a T-shaped item that is introduced into the uterus by the gynecologist and prevents pregnancy by making the uterine lining unfavorable for egg implantation. The usage extent of one device can reach ten years, depending on technology and design. Such birth control option are not advisable for people who want to grow their family.
There are other birth control options such as the method of the calendar, vasectomy, hysterectomy or voluntary sterilization. The male shot meant to inactivate the spermatozoon makes a more innovative alternative, but the use of this method has so far remained limited. Let’s not ignore the individual factor for such choices, because people have preferences for some birth control options over others.