The Latest on Birth Control

Birth Control: How to Decide? There are so many options when it comes to choosing birth control. Here are a few things to think about when it comes to choosing the right birth control method. *Protection against STDs? *Important cost and convenience? *Effectiveness? However, abstinence is the only 100% effective method, but others come close, as you can see from evidence chart. After reading this, you should check with your doctor as well for the best option for you and your partner. Fertility Awareness Also known as family planning, this means avoiding sex when women are at their most fertile. You can watch for changes in cervical mucus and body temperature, however, it is best to seek a professional in order to do this correctly. The pros to this method is no drugs, no devices, and it's inexpensive. The cons are that it limits spontaneous sex; an average of 25% of typical users end up pregnant. Spermicide This method contains a chemical that kills sperm. It comes in a foam, jelly, or cream and placed inside the vagina before sex. Some types can be place 30 minutes ahead. Frequent use can cause tissue irritation, a risk of infectious diseases or STDs. It is usually used along with other birth control methods. The pros are easy to use and inexpensive (about $1 per use). The cons are an increase risk to STDs--29% of users get pregnant. Male Condom The latex condom, a classic barrier method, prevents sperm from entering a woman's body, protecting against pregnancy and most STDs. 15% of couples who rely on male condoms get pregnant within a year. The pros are that it is widely available, protects against STDs and inexpensive (under $1 each). The cons are effective if used correctly, it is not reusuable. Female Condom A thin plastic pouch that lines the vagina, is put in place up to 8 hours before sex. Users can grasp the flexible plastic ring at the closed end to guide it into position. It is somewhat less effective than the male condom. The pros are that it is widely available, and some protect against STDs, it also conducts body heat better than the male condom. The cons are that it is noisy and 21% of users get pregnant, it is not reusable and not to be used in conjunction with the male condom to avoid breakage. Diaphragm A rubber dome that is place over the cervix before sex, it is used with spermicide. The effectiveness (compared with the male condom) is 16% of users get pregnant, including those who don't use it correctly the first time. The pros are it is inexpensive ($15 - $75 and lasts up to 2 years). The cons are it is fitted by a doctor and has no STD protection. It can't be used during the menstrual cycle and there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome. Cervical Cap It is similar to a diaphragm but smaller. The FemCap slips in place over the cervix, blocking entry into the uterus. It is used with spermicide and has a failure rate of 15% of women who have never had children; 30% of those who have. The pros are it can stay in place up to 48 hours and is inexpensive. The cons are it must be fitted by a doctor and has no STD protection. It can't be used during the menstrual cycle. Birth Control Sold as the Today Sponge, it is made of foam that contains spermicide. It is placed against the cervix up to 24 hours before sex. It is about as effective as the cervical cap with a failure rate of 16% for women who have never had children and 32% of those who have. Unlike the diaphragm or cervical cap, it does NOT need to be fitted by a doctor. The pros are no prescriptions and is effective immediately. The cons are that it is difficult to insert correctly, has no STD protection, and can't be used during the menstrual cycle. Birth Control Pill The most common birth control method, the pill uses the hormones, estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. If taken on schedule, it is highly effective. 8% of typical users get pregnant, even those who skip a dose. Like hormonal contraceptives, the pill requires a prescription. The pros are it is the user has more regular, lighter periods, or no periods depending on the type of pill used, and there may be less cramping. The cons are it costs $15 - $50 per month and does protect against STDs. It can cause side effects of breast tenderness, spotting, serious blood clots, and raised blood pressure. Some may not be able to use birth control pills. Birth Control Patch For women who have a tendency to forget the daily pill, this may be an option. The Ortho Erva patch is worn on the skin and changed once a week for three weeks, with the fourth week patch-free. It releases the same types of hormones as the birth control pill does and is just as effective. The pros are more regular, lighter periods, with less cramping, and there is no need to remember the daily pill. The cost is about %$15 - $50 per month and can cause skin irritation, and other side effects similar to birth control pills. There is no STD protection. Vaginal Ring The NuvaRing is s soft, plastic ring that is worn inside the vagina. It releases the same hormone as the the pill and the patch and is just as effective. It only needs to be replaced once a month. The pros are lighter, more regular periods and is replaced once a month. The cons are a cost of around $30 - $50 per month and can cause vaginal irritation among other side effects similar to the pill and patch. It also has not protection against STDs. Birth Control Slot Also known as Depo Provera, it is a hormonal injection that protects against pregnancy for up to 3 months. For the typical couple, it is more effective than the birth control pill with 3% of users getting pregnant within a year. The pros are it is injected 4 times a year and is highly effective. The cons are it costs around $240 a year and can cause spotting as well as other side effects. It has no STD protection. Birth Control Implants Known as Nexaplanon, it is a matchstick-sized rod that is place under the skin of the upper arm. It releases the same hormone in the birth control slot against pregnancy for up to 3 years. The failure rate is less than 1%. The pros are that it lasts 3 years and is highly effective. The cons are it is more expensive upfront costs from $400 - $800 for exam, implant, and insertion), and can cause side effects, including irregular bleeding. It also has no STD protection. IUD The IUD (Intrauterine Device), it is a t-shaped plastic that is placed inside the uterus by a doctor. The copper IUD, ParaGuard, works for as long as 10 years. Mirena, a hormonal IUD, is replaced every 5 years, can lighten periods and ease cramps. Lilletta/Skyla, another hormonal IUD prevents pregnancy up to 3 years. Both types make it more difficult for sperm to fertilize the egg. Fewer than 8 in 1,000 women get pregnant. The pros are it is long-lasting and low-maintenance. The cons are irregular and heavier periods with ParaGuard. It is more expensive up front, may slip out, and cause side effects. Tubal Ligation A permanent form of birth control, you should make sure you don't want any more biological children before deciding on this one. A traditional method, it is often referred to as "having your tubes tied." The surgeon closes the fallopian tubes, preventing the eggs from making the journey out of the ovaries (Banding Method). The pros are it is permanent, nearly 100% effective. The cons are it requires surgery and is not reversible and expensive. It does not protect against STDs. Tubal Implants A newer procedure, it blocks the fallopian tubes without surgery, small implants of metal silicone is placed inside each tube. Scar tissue grows around the implants blocking the tubes. X-rays shows the tubes are blocked, so no other birth control is needed. The pros are it is permanent and does not require surgery and almost 100% effective. The cons are it becomes effective in a few months, there is a risk of pelvic infections, is irreversible and expensive. Vasectomy Except for condoms, it is the only birth control method available to men. It surgically closes the vas deferens--the tubes that carry sperm from the testes through the reproductive system. It prevents the release of sperm and doesn't interfere with ejaculation. The pros are it is permanent and cheaper than a tubal ligation and nearly 100% effective. The cons it requires surgery and is not effective immediately and may not be reversible. Emergency Contraception This method works after sex to help avoid pregnancy. It is the only option when no birth control is used or the woman suspects her usual method failed--Plan B. Plan B is a one-step generic version of Plan B (Next Choice) and contains a high dose of the hormone found in birth control pills. It must be used within 72 hours of having sex. Ella uses a non-hormonal drug and requires a doctor's prescription and can be taken up to 5 days after sex. Options for Older Women Age and lifestyle are important factors for choosing birth control. If you're over 35, smoke,are obese, a combination birth control pill, patch, or ring may not be recommended. For better consults, see your doctor for safe alternatives. If you're approaching menopause, the birth control shot may have an added benefit by relieving symptoms of periomenopause. Withdrawal 6 in 10 women report their partner "pulling out"--an age-old method that relies on the man withdrawing his penis from the vagina before ejaculation. New reviews show that if done correctly every time, 4% of users get pregnant in a year. With a more typical use--18% get pregnant. The pros are it's free, no need for devices or hormones. The cons are it is hard to do correctly. It does not protect against STDs. Least Effective Methods Without using a form of birth control, 85% sexually active couples get pregnant in a year. Even the least effective birth control options reduce the number considerably. How many women get pregnant per year? *No birth control: 85% *Spermicide only: 29% *Fertility Awareness: 25% *Female condom: 21% *Withdrawal: 18% Most Effective Methods Although barrier methods (condom, diaphragm) are moderately effective with typical use, hormonal contraceptives are better to track record effectiveness. There are several options couples prefer to the lower the odds of getting pregnant: *Two reversible - IUD/hormonal implant *Abstinence is the only 100% effective form of birth control Effectiveness: *Abstinence: 100% *Implant/IUD/Vasectomy/Tubal methods: 99% *Birth control shot: 97% *Birth control pill/vaginal ring: 92% *Condom/diaphragm/cervical cap/sponge: 84 - 89% Source www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/ss/slideshow-birth-control-options.