Birth Controll Methods and Procedures
Birth Controll Methods and Procedures
Article by Patrick Bour M.D., NYSH
There are many birth control systems available on the market.
Different kinds of birth control affect different physiological processes so you need more information able to
help you choose the best one for you.
Also consider that only a condom is able to protect you from sexually
transmitted diseases. Protect yourself and your partner; use a condom every time you have sex.
Hormonal methods
Hormonal methods are very reliable means of birth control an one of the most flexible methods. This method uses two different formulas:
* Combined method contains both estrogen and progestin. This kind of medications includes pills, patches and the ring packages.
* Progestin hormonal method packages are pills (called "mini-pills"); injections (Depo-Provera); and under skin implants (Implanon).
If you cannot take estrogen, a progestin method may be the better for you.
Combination and progestin methods are prescribed
for different reasons. Recommendations for and against hormonal birth control pills, patches, implants, and rings differ.
Each type of method has its gains and caps.
* Combination pills reduce pain during ovulation, and lower the premenstrual symptom to a minimum.
Combinative medicals reduce heavy bleeding. The progestin-only pill can be taken by all women healthy woman, including breast-feeding mothers.
Although, this medication must be taken with the precise daily timing in order to be effective. Combination pills are can be taken daily but
there are no strict time limits. Please note that the first week is not 100% effective so you need to use the backup birth control method for this time.
* Patches and vaginal rings are very similar to combination pills course. But the most obvious gain is that you do not have to take the pill daily.
Patches are prescribed to be changed weekly. The ring is changed monthly with the special timing procedure which assumes 1
week without the ring after 3 weeks of the ring use.
* Birth control pills are able to reduce severe mood and body symptoms
that some women experience before they start their monthly periods. These symptoms are called the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Birth control pills are helpful for women with migraines during their periods.
Birth control pills could be also prescribed for women who want to exclude their periods.
* The Depo-Provera (progestin method) shot does not require a daily medical course schedule pill. Instead, you are obliged see your medical advisor once every 3 months for the next injection.
* The Implanon (progestin implant) provides the 3 years of the controlled protection. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy for years.
It must be inserted and removed by the professional medic. The actual implant has a size of the matchstick and is placed under the skin on the inside of the upper arm.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
An intrauterine device is a small medical device that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
There are two main types of Intrauterine devices: copper IUDs (Paragard) and hormonal IUDs (Mirena).
Once an Intrauterine device is in place, it can provide pregnancy prevention up to 10 years, depending on the device type.
Unlike Intrauterine devices that were used in the middle of the XX century, present-day IUDs are tiny, safe, and effective.
However there are several cautions in regards to the Intrauterine device use. If a sexually transmitted disease is present at the time the IUD is inserted,
the infection can be carried into the uterus and then transmitted into the blood flow. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to full infertility.
Copper IUD can cause longer and heavier periods
The Mirena (hormonal intrauterine device) reduces menstrual flow and cramping over time.
However, the progestin intrauterine device can have other side effects, including spotting, mood swings, and breast tenderness.
Luckily these side effects occur less frequently than with other progestin methods.
Barrier methods
Barrier methods prevent sperm from entering the
uterus and reaching the fertile egg. Such methods include the following list of devices and chemicals: diaphragm; cervical cap; Lea's Shield; male condom; female condom; and
spermicidal foam, sponge, gel, suppository, or film.
Barrier methods are not 100% effective, but they have fewer side effects than hormonal methods or IUDs.
Spermicides and condoms should be used together or along with another barrier method. Combination of these methods increase the effectiveness.
They must be used every time you have sex so they may have psychological side effects which can cause troubles in the lovemaking.
Condoms should always be used if you are at risk of getting or spreading a sexually transmitted disease (genital herpes, chlamydia, HIV).
Fertility awareness
Fertility awareness requires that the couple uses a woman’s calendar.
They stop the close relationships during a woman's menstrual cycle when she is most likely to become pregnant.
Such methodology helps to avoid intercourse or use a barrier method. Fertility awareness has about 40% effectiveness.
Breast-feeding may work as a birth control form in the first 6 months after giving birth. Woman needs follow specific guidelines.
This method requires that you must breast-feed your baby every time. You can't use formula or other supplements.
This is called the lactational amenorrhea method commonly known as the LAM method. Although LAM has been shown to be highly effective,
many doctors recommend that you use another birth control method.
Permanent birth control
Sterilization is a
surgical procedure for men or women who decide that they do not want to have any (or more) children. Sterilization is a truly effective form of birth control.
This method is intended to be permanent. However, you can try to reverse it with another surgery. Reversal is not always successful and fails in 60% of cases.
* Tubal ligation or implants. Fallopian tubes, which carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, are tied, cut, or blocked.
Nonsurgical sterilization technique uses a small metal coil, or tubal implant, inserted up into each fallopian tube.
Over time, scar tissue grows around each tubal implant, permanently blocking the tubes. Regeneration takes few hours only.
However, you must use another form of birth control for 3 months after the implant.
After this period, you will need to have an X-ray shot taken to make sure that your tubes are completely closed.
* Vasectomy. This is the surgery of the vas, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the seminal fluid (semen).
Tubes are cut and blocked so that the semen is no longer contains sperm. This does not interfere with a man's sex ability.
Men must have a sperm check after having a vasectomy before relying on this for birth control.
Female sterilization is the more complicated procedure, has higher risks of the surgery problems.
It is more expensive than male sterilization.
Contraception following pregnancy
Birth control is an important consideration after you have had a child. It takes 3 to 6 weeks after childbirth to get your fertility back.
You need to think about what type of birth control you will be using after, and make a plan during your pregnancy.
The best solution is to start using the birth control right after childbirth. Most methods can be started very soon after childbirth, although some may not be recommended if
you are breast-feeding.
You can best evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of birth control when you understand:
Hormonal
* Totally Prevents ovulation
* Thickens mucus at the cervix. This prevents the sperm to come through.
* Changes the environment of the uterus and fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization and implantation should fertilization occur
Intrauterine device
* The progestin released by the levonorgestrel IUD prevents fertilization by making the mucus in the cervix thick and sticky.
The progestin and IUD change the uterine lining, preventing implantation in the rare case that fertilization occurs.
* The copper in the copper IUD is toxic to sperm. It causes changes in the uterus and fallopian tubes that kill sperm. The IUD changes the uterine lining,
which prevents implantation in the rare case that fertilization occurs.
Barrier methods
* Block sperm from reaching the egg
* Some are used with spermicides, which kill sperm.
Fertility awareness (natural family planning)
* Identifies the time during a woman's cycle when she is most likely to become pregnant (fertile). An additional method or abstinence should be used during this time of fertility.
Permanent birth control (sterilization)
* Men: Vasectomy blocks the release of sperm.
* Women: Tubal ligation surgery or tubal implants block the movement of an egg through the fallopian tube, preventing fertilization.
Return to top
|
