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Contraception / Birth Control
What is birth control?
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:
- abstinence
- spermicides
- male condoms
- female condoms
Some methods that require a visit to your physician for an
examination and a prescription are:
- oral contraceptives
birth control pills
- Norplant
capsules containing a the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel, implanted under the skin in the upper arm of a woman, which continuously prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg
- Depo-Provera
a drug, given by injection, to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation
- diaphragm or cervical cap
a dome-shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim that is inserted through the vagina to cover the cervix
- interuterine device (IUD)
devices placed in the uterus through the cervix by a physician
Surgery that results in the inability to become pregnant
includes:
- hysterectomy
- tubal ligation or tubal occlusion ("tying the tubes")
- vasectomy
Methods that have been suggested as preventive, but may actually present a high-risk for pregnancy include:
withdrawal before ejaculation rhythm - participating in sexual intercourse only on certain "safe" days sexual intercourse during menstruation standing up immediately after sexual intercourse douching after sexual intercourse taking no precautions at all
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