For me, one of the most important factors of amazing sex is being comfortable with the possible consequences of my actions. Reaching the Big O is highly unlikely if my mind is preoccupied thinking about pregnancy. Imagining myself with a crying baby, well... makes me want to cry (at least for now).

You have lots of options when choosing birth control, also known as contraception, to prevent pregnancy. Barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms and intrauterine devices (IUDs) prevent sperm from inseminating eggs. Hormonal methods keep a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs that could be fertilized such as birth control pills.

Obviously, you should consult your doctor to find a birth control is right for you based on your frequency of sexual activity and physical differences (weight, previous pregnancies, and other medications).

If you are using a form of birth control that may be subject to user error or other mishaps (i.e. forgetting to take your pill, or breaking a condom), purchase one or two morning after pills. Also known as Plan B, these pills will work if taken within three days of intercourse, and are available over-the-counter for between $30 and $60. I consider it worth the peace of mind.

Some statistics on unintended pregnancies

• 49 percent of all pregnancies are unintended.
• 3.1 million unintended pregnancies occurred in 2001.
• 44 percent of unintended pregnancies resulted in births, 42 percent ended in abortion, and 14 percent were miscarriages.

Information courtesy Finer 2006, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

 

Hormonal Birth Control Methods

Prevent pregnancy by interfering with ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation of the fertilized egg. They do not protect against (STIs).

photo by SarahConsolacion

Oral Contraceptives (Combined Pill) “The Pill”

• It is a pill that uses hormones (estrogen and progestin) to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs in most women.
• It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg.
• 92 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*
  

Oral Contraceptives (Progestin-only) “The Pill”

• It is a pill that has only the hormone progestin.
• It thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from joining with an egg.
• Less often, it stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.
• 92 to 99.9 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*
  

Oral-Contraceptives (Extended/Continuous Use) “The Pill”

• It is a pill that uses hormones (estrogen and progestin) to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs in most women.
• It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg.
• These pills are designed so women have fewer or no periods.

Patch

• This is a skin patch you can wear on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body.
• It uses hormones (estrogen and progestin) to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs in most women.
• It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg.
• 92 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*
  

Vaginal Contraceptive Ring

• It is a flexible ring that is about 2 inches around.
• You put it into the vagina and it releases hormones (progestin and estrogen) to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs in most women.
• It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg.
• 92 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*
  

Shot/Injection

• It is a shot of the hormone progestin that stops the ovaries from releasing eggs in most women.
• It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg.
• 97 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*
  

 

Implanted Birth Control Devices

These devices are inserted into the body and can be kept in place for a few years. They prevent pregnancy by interfering with ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation of the fertilized egg. They do not protect against (STIs).

IUD

• It is a T-shaped device that is put into the uterus by a healthcare provider.
• Progestin in the Mirena IUD works by keeping a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs.
• It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg.
• 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*
  

 

Implantable Rod

• It is a thin, matchstick-sized rod that contains the hormone progestin.
• It thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from joining with the egg.
• Less often, it stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.
  

 

Emergency Contraception

photo by trec_lit.

 

May be used if you do not use birth control or if your regular birth control fails.

It should not be used as a regular form of birth control. Does not protect against STIs.

“The Morning After Pill“

• These are pills with hormones (either progestin alone or progestin plus estrogen) that are similar to other oral contraceptives.
• They stop the ovaries from releasing an egg or stops sperm from joining with the egg.
• 75 to 89 percent effective at inhibiting ovulation, fertilization, or implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterine wall, or all three.*
  

 

Barrier Methods of Birth Control

photo by ema.

They put up a block, or barrier, which keeps the sperm from reaching the egg and becoming fertilized.

 

Male Condom (Latex or Polyurethane)

• It is a thin film sheath placed over the erect penis to stop sperm from reaching the egg.
• Condoms are the only contraceptive product that may protect against most sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• 85 to 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*
  

 

Female Condom

• It is a lubricated, thin polyurethane pouch that is put into the vagina.
• It may give some protection against STIs.
• 70 to 95 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*
  

 

Diaphragm with Spermicide

 

Sponge with Spermicide

• It is a disk-shaped polyurethane device with the spermicide nonoxynol-9.
  

 

Cervical Cap with Spermicide

• It is a soft latex or silicone cup with a round rim, which fits snugly around the cervix. It covers the cervix so that sperm cannot reach the egg.
  

 

Spermicide Alone

• It is a foam, cream, jelly, film, or tablet that kills sperm.
• Does not protect against (STIs).
• 71 to 82 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.*1
  

Information courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You can find more info at http://www.fda.gov/womens/healthinformation/birthcontrol.html.

*Statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More Solutions

Depending on whether you want a permanent option, there are several ways to achieve female sterilization and a male .

Female Sterilization

• Tubal ligation, commonly knows as “getting your tubes tied,” is a surgical sterilization technique for women.
• Closes the fallopian tubes, stopping the egg from traveling to the uterus and prevents sperm from reaching the fallopian tube to fertilize an egg.
• Fallopian tubes are cut, burned, or blocked with rings, bands or clips.
• 99.5% effective as birth control. (Mishell, 2001)
• Does do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
  

 

Vasectomy

• The vas deferens from each testicle is clamped, cut, or otherwise sealed.
• Prevents sperm from mixing with the semen.
• 99.85% effective as birth control. (Trussel, 2004)
  

 

Withdrawal Method

• A method in which a male withdraws his penis prior to ejaculation, also making sure that sperm doesn’t come into contact with the woman’s vulva.
• For every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, 4 will become pregnant each year if they always do it correctly. For every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, 27 will become pregnant each year if they don't always do it correctly. (Hatcher et al, 2007)
  

Obviously, the only 100 percent effective method of birth control is abstinence, which is not realistic for most people. There are plenty ways to prevent pregnancy, so get informed and pick one (or a few). Many forms can be used in conjunction with others and it’s always good to have a back up plan. Also, condoms are the only protection against Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Have sex the right way; know your risks and be protected. It’s a lot easier to reach the Big O when you don’t have to worry.

J.J. Blair