Seven Choices for Birth Control

It is amazing the choices that abound for women interested in birth control.  Determining the method that is best for you all comes back to your personal choices, what you desire from your birth control and how invasive you want that choice to be.  Some of the birth controls on the market today require one procedure.  Some of them require a daily pill.  There are even some that have been around for years that only need to be used when intercourse is imminent.  Here are some of the choices available:

* The Pill is a hormonal contraception that contains a small amount of synthetic estrogen and progestin.  In basic terms, it fools your body into thinking it's pregnant so it doesn't release an egg - thereby preventing the ovary from dropping an egg and keeping the sexually active woman from getting pregnant.  The pills must be taken in order as prescribed and directed to be effective.
 
* Patches or vaginal rings are another type of hormonal contraceptive.  Unlike the pill, these are changed monthly (for the ring) and weekly (for the patch).  The rings release the hormones into the bloodstream through the vaginal wall.  The patch sticks to the dry, clean skin (usually on the back of the shoulder or some other inconspicuous location).
 
* The IUD (intrauterine device) is placed into the uterus by your doctor.  Once it is in place, the IUD will provide pregnancy protection for up to ten years, depending on the type of device.  Today's devices are far safer and more effective than the earlier versions of the 1970s.

* Barrier methods are those birth control products that physically prevent the sperm from getting to the egg and causing pregnancy.  These include the diaphragm, sponge, spermicidal foam and male or female condoms.  Although these methods don't have as many side effects as the hormonal contraceptives, they are also less effective in protecting from pregnancy.  The condoms are the only birth control method that can be used to protect against some sexually transmitted diseases.

* Natural family planning is becoming a popular form of birth control for women who are not interested in using artificial hormones or chemicals.  It requires a specific understanding of the individual menstrual cycle and avoiding intercourse during those times when pregnancy is most likely to occur. 

* Tubal ligation is a permanent form of birth control where the doctor performs surgery on the fallopian tubes.  The tubes are tied, cut or blocked in order to prevent them from carrying an egg from the ovary to the uterus. 

* Abstinence is similar in the way of controlling pregnancy.  It is just avoidance of sexual activity.  It is the only method of birth control that is effective 100% of the time.

Birth control is a personal choice that should be determined on an individual basis.  Every birth control method has some benefits to being used but each choice also has some side effects or disadvantages.  The key to choosing the right form is to decide what is most important to you and talking openly with your doctor about those needs.