Contraception

What is contraception?

Contraception or birth control refers to any activity, medication, or equipment used to prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control available for women who do not wish to become pregnant. The decision on which method is right for you should be made with your physician, as well as with your partner.

What are the different types of birth control?

Some methods that do not require a prescription from your physician include the following:

Abstinence - not having sexual intercourse.
Spermicides - foams or creams placed inside the vagina to kill sperm; these may also provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases, especially when used with a latex condom.
Male condoms - a thin tube made of latex or a natural material that is placed over the penis. The sperm is collected in the end of the condom. Latex condoms may provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Female condoms - a liner made of latex or natural material that is placed inside the vagina. Latex condoms may provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Natural family planning - timing intercourse to avoid "fertile" days using various methods of monitoring body temperature, watching for changes in cervical mucus, and the use of ovulation prediction kits. This method, often known as the "rhythm" method, has a high risk for pregnancy.

Some methods that require a visit to your physician for an examination and a prescription include the following:

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) - medications taken daily that prevent ovulation by controlling pituitary hormone secretion. Usually, oral contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. In addition to prevention of pregnancy, oral contraceptives have several health benefits including regulating menstrual cycles and decreasing the amount and length of menstrual periods. This can help increase iron stores in women with iron deficiency associated with excessive bleeding. Prevention of certain ovarian and endometrial cancers is a significant benefit of the use of oral contraceptives. Some research has found that some benign (non-cancerous) breast diseases, including fibroadenoma and cystic changes, occur less frequently with the use of oral contraceptives. Recent studies have also suggested that oral contraceptive use may reduce the occurrence of severe disabling rheumatoid arthritis.
Mini-pill - unlike the traditional birth control pill, the mini-pill has only one hormone, progestin. Taken daily, the mini-pill thickens cervical mucus and prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. The mini-pill also can decrease the flow of your period and protect against PID and ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Norplant - capsules containing the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel, implanted under the skin in the upper arm of a woman, which continuously prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg for up to five years. Anesthesia is required for insertion and removal of this type of birth control.
Depo-Provera - a progesterone-like drug given by injection to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation. The effects last for about three months and another injection must be given to continue birth control effectiveness.
Monthly injections - a new type of contraceptive that combines two types of hormones, estrogen and progestin, in a monthly injection. These hormones work to prevent ovulation and continue regular menstrual periods. The injection must be repeated every 28 to 33 days to be effective.
Patch - this is a skin patch worn on the body that releases the hormones estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream. It is most effective in women who weigh less than 200 pounds.
Diaphragm or cervical cap - a dome-shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim that is inserted through the vagina to cover the cervix. This type of birth control must be inserted prior to having sexual intercourse.
Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring - a ring that is placed inside the vagina around the cervix. The ring releases the hormones estrogen and progestin.
Intrauterine device (IUD) - devices placed in the uterus through the cervix by a physician. The IUD works by preventing an egg from being fertilized in the tubes or from attaching to the wall of the uterus. IUDs containing hormones must be replaced annually, while copper IUDs can last up to 10 years.
Intrauterine system (IUS) - the IUS is a small T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus by a physician. It releases a small amount of hormone each day to prevent pregnancy.
Nonsurgical sterilization - a thin tube is used to thread a tiny, spring-like device through the vagina to the uterus into each fallopian tube. A material in the device causes scar tissue to develop and permanently plug the tubes.

Surgery that results in the inability to become pregnant includes the following:

Hysterectomy - removal of the uterus and usually the ovaries and fallopian tube. This is a permanent form of birth control.
Tubal ligation or tubal occlusion ("tying the tubes") - surgery to cut, cauterize, or band the fallopian tubes to prevent the egg from being transported to the uterus. Tubal ligation is designed to be a permanent method of birth control. Although certain types of tubal ligations can be reversed, the reversal procedure may not be successful.
Vasectomy - cutting or clamping the vas deferens, the tubes that carry the sperm from the testes - are blocked. The testes still produce sperm, but the sperm die and are absorbed by the body. This is a permanent male birth control measure.

Methods that have been suggested as preventive, but may actually present a high risk for pregnancy include the following:

Withdrawal before ejaculation
Sexual intercourse during menstruation
Standing up immediately after sexual intercourse
Douching after sexual intercourse