Birth Control

What is Birth Control?

Birth control is any means by which a woman is able to have sexual intercourse but avoid becoming pregnant because of it. Birth control is most often practiced as part of the greater interest of family planning, meaning a man and woman being selective about the time in their lives that they become parents. But it can also be a part of how a woman approaches casual sex when she is not in a committed long-term relationship.

Barrier birth control methods like condoms are in line with safe sex practices to prevent the spread of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and prevent conception at the same time. Oral contraceptive pills will provide lasting pregnancy prevention but will not protect against STDs. Long-term use of birth control medication should only be done if the woman discusses it with her doctor and understands that it may affect her fertility later in life.

How Effective is Birth Control?

Oral contraceptive medications are typically known to be 99+% effective for preventing pregnancy, and barrier contraception methods are also similarly reliable for birth control provided the condom, IUD, or other type of barrier is not damaged or structurally compromised. It is very important to not use these methods if they are past the expiry date shown on the packaging, and women who are using IUDs (intrauterine devices) must know when it is time to replace the device.

Failure to take oral birth control medication for more than 2 consecutive days may greatly reduce the effectiveness of the medication and it may become much more likely that the woman becomes pregnant. If more than 2 consecutive days of medication are missed, it is advisable to use a barrier birth control method until the oral contraception schedule can be reestablished.

Birth Control Side Effects

It is common for a woman to experience side effects related to the birth control medication she is taking. These side effects can include breast tenderness, nausea, headaches, irregular menstruation, or acne. In rare instances, a woman may have a lowered sex drive (libido) because of her use of oral birth control. Barrier methods will not cause birth control side effects.

Birth Control Options

The most popular choice for women is to use oral contraceptive medications like Alesse or Levora. These pills provide day-to-day pregnancy prevention and allow the woman to enjoy unprotected sex with her partner. Some women will choose to use an IUD instead, which offers similar long-term birth control benefits, especially if they experience intolerable side effects from oral contraceptives.

Be aware that having the IUD inserted will require a small surgical procedure that can only be conducted in a clinical environment and by a medical professional. Birth control patches like the Ortho Evra and vaginal rings like Nuva Ring are also possibilities among birth control options. Vaginal rings are different from IUDs for birth control because women can insert them on their own and it is a relatively simple process.