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If you and your partner don't want to have a baby at
this time, there are many different products that can
help prevent pregnancy. The types of birth control that
are most reliable for preventing pregnancy are birth
control pills, Nuva Ring, implants, IUDs, and
sterilization. Of every 100 women who use one of these
types of birth control for a year, about 1 to 5 women
will become pregnant.
Latex condoms for men and diaphragms for women when used
with spermicide are options, but are less effective that
using pills, Nuvaring, implants and IUDs for preventing
pregnancy. However, it is extremely important to use
condoms in addition to contraceptives to reduce the risk
of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Of every 100 women who rely on them for a year, about 14
to 20 will become pregnant. Other methods of birth
control, such as spermicide alone, female condoms, and
natural family planning, don't work as well.
Abstinence is the only guaranteed way to prevent
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Birth Control You Can Get Without a
Prescription:
Some types of birth control are available without a
doctor's prescription. They have no side effects for
most people. But some people may be allergic to them and
get rashes if they use them.
Condoms for Men
People sometimes call condoms for men rubbers,
safes, or prophylactics. You can buy condoms without a
prescription at drugstores, supermarkets, and many other
places.
To use, put the condom on the erect penis before having
sex. Use each condom only once. Most condoms are
made from latex rubber. Others are made from lamb
intestines and are often called lambskins. Lambskin
condoms only protect against pregnancy and provide no
protection from STIs. Some condoms are made from
polyurethane. If you aren't allergic to latex, you
should use latex condoms because they are best at
preventing pregnancy and they also protect best against
AIDS, herpes, and other sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). Condoms shouldn't be used with Vaseline or other
brands of petroleum jelly, lotions, or oils. But they
can be used with lubricants that don't have oil, such as
K-Y jelly.
Click here for more information on how to use a condom.
Female Condom
The Reality Female Condom is made of
polyurethane. You can buy female condoms at drugstores
without a prescription. To use, insert the condom into
the vagina right before sex and use each only once.
Don't use it at the same time as a male condom. If you
have a choice, it's better for the man to use a latex
condom because it's better than the female condom at
preventing pregnancy and protecting you against STDs.
Spermicide Alone
Spermicides are available without a prescription
in drugstores and some other stores. They contain a
chemical that kills sperm. Spermicides are sold in
several forms including foam, cream and jelly.
To use, put the spermicide into the vagina at least 10
minutes before having sex. One dose of spermicide
usually works for one hour, but you must use another
dose every time you have intercourse even if less than
an hour has passed. You should not douche or rinse your
vagina for at least 6 to 8 hours after having sex.
Birth Control You Need to See Your
Doctor For:
The risks and benefits of different forms of birth
control are different for each person. So it's best to
decide with your doctor which form of birth control is
best for you.
Click here for more information on contraception
methods.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm with spermicide is put into the
vagina before sex so that it covers the cervix, or neck
of the womb. Put the spermicide into the dome of the
diaphragm before inserting it. You must be fitted for a
diaphragm at a doctor's office or clinic because
diaphragms come in several different sizes. The
diaphragm must stay in place at least 6 hours after
intercourse, but not for more than 24 hours. If you have
sex more than once while wearing the diaphragm, you must
add more spermicide without taking the diaphragm out.
Spermicide is available without a prescription at
drugstores.
Birth Control Pills
You need a doctor's prescription to get birth
control pills, also called oral contraceptives. There
are two types of birth control pills: "combined oral
contraceptives" and "minipills."
Combined oral contraceptives have a combination of two
hormones--estrogen and progestin. They work by keeping
the ovaries from releasing an egg. The pill must be
taken every day.
Minipills contain only one hormone, progestin. They work
by thickening the cervical mucus to keep sperm from
reaching the egg. Sometimes they also keep the ovaries
from releasing an egg. You must take one pill every day.
Minipills are slightly less effective than combined oral
contraceptives.
NuvaRing
NuvaRing is a flexible, transparent, vinylacetate ring less than
two inches in diameter (silver-dollar size). It contains the two
basic hormones produced by the human ovary--estrogen and
progestin--and is worn in the vagina for three weeks to prevent
pregnancy. The ring is removed after three weeks so that a
menstrual period can occur. A new ring is inserted seven days
after removal of the old ring.
Depo-Provera
Depo-Provera is a form of progestin, similar to
the hormone in the minipill. Depo-Provera must be
injected with a needle into the woman's buttocks or arm
muscle by a doctor. You must get an injection every
three months for the birth control to continue to work.
Norplant
Norplant is a form of progestin that is placed
under the skin. Norplant is made of rubber rods that
look like matchsticks. A doctor places the rods under
the skin of the woman's upper arm, where they slowly
release progestin. A doctor must also remove the rods.
There are two types of Norplant. The six-rod Norplant
gives birth control for up to five years. The two-rod
Norplant gives birth control for up to two years.
IUDs
An IUD (Intrauterine Device) is inserted into the
womb by a doctor. Two types of IUDs are now used in the
United States: the Paragard Copper T 380A, which
releases copper, and the Progestasert Progesterone T,
which releases progesterone, a form of progestin. The
Paragard IUD can stay in place for 10 years. The
Progestasert must be replaced every year. A doctor must
remove it.
Male Sterilization (Vasectomy)
Outpatient surgery is necessary to make a man
sterile, or unable to produce enough sperm to make a
woman pregnant. This is done by sealing, tying or
cutting the tube through which sperm travel to the penis
from the testicles. The operation usually takes less
than 30 minutes and is done under local anesthesia. Men
who have vasectomies must be sure they will never want
to father children in the future.
Female Sterilization
Female sterilization is usually a longer
operation than a vasectomy, though it may sometimes be
done as outpatient surgery. It is usually done under
general anesthesia. The surgery involves tying, cutting
or blocking the fallopian tubes so eggs can't reach the
womb. Women who have this surgery must be sure they will
never want to have a baby in the future.
Natural Family Planning
This is also known as fertility awareness or
periodic abstinence. For this method to work, a man and
woman cannot have sex on the days the woman can become
pregnant unless using another form of birth control.
These days usually include from seven days before the
woman ovulates (releases an egg) to three days after she
ovulates. A woman can ask her doctor how to tell when
she ovulates. This is done by taking into account when
the last menstrual period began, changes in body
temperature, and changes in vaginal mucus.
Preventing Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
To prevent the transmission of an STD/STI and unplanned pregnancy, always use a condom in combination with contraception. The only kind of birth control that is also
highly effective in preventing AIDS and other sexually
transmitted diseases is the latex condom worn by the
man. The female condom can also give some protection,
but it's not as good as the latex condom for men. If you
use other forms of birth control but also want
protection against AIDS and other sexually transmitted
diseases, the man should also use a latex condom.
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