Contraception – What is the Best Method?

Contraception | Oral Contraceptives | Emergency Contraceptive Pills | Birth Control Patch | Birth Control Ring | Birth Control Shot | Norplant | Implanon | Male Condoms | Female Condoms | Diaphragms | Cervical Caps | Contraceptive Sponge | Birth Control Spermicide | IUD | Female Sterilization | Male Sterilization

Choosing the right method of contraception is not a simple task and there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration beside effectiveness. Some of the factors include cost, ease of use, potential side effects, couple’s mutual decisions, and whether or not backup method should be used. Other important deciding factors include physical health of the individual and other concerns that may be associated with a particular method.

Sharing responsibility in choosing the right method of contraception can enhance relationship. Couples can share responsibility by having open communication discussing about their own sexuality and prefer method of birth control. Learning to develop proper skills to communicate effectively with one another about birth control can increased awareness and the choice in choosing the right method of contraceptives. Couples who share equal responsibility are more likely to build trust with one another and experiences enhance sexual activity without the constant worry of unwanted pregnancy.

Ineffective and inconsistent use of contraceptive can result in unwanted pregnancy. Most of the time this is caused by human errors who are unaware and don’t have proper knowledge about contraception. Partners who are uninvolved or unwilling to share responsibility about birth control can also result in unwanted pregnancy.

Partners who are willing to increase their awareness with proper knowledge and information have more choices and understanding of the correct use of the chosen method and more likely to reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancy. Partners who are comfortable about their own sexuality are more likely to increase the effective use of contraception. More than one method of contraceptives can be used at the same time to reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Some of the most common method is described below in terms of effectiveness, how it works, advantages and disadvantages. Understanding how each method works provide you with more information and choices to help you with your decisions and choosing the right method that is suitable for you with regards to your health, preference, concern and potential side effects.

Hormone Method
Hormone method includes Oral Contraceptives, Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs), Birth Control Patch, Birth Control Ring (Nuva Ring), Birth Control Shot (Depo Provera), Norplant, Implanon.

Barrier Method
Barrier method includes Male Condoms, Female Condoms, Diaphragms, Cervical Caps, Contraceptive Sponge, Birth Control Spermicide, IUD.

Permanent Method
Permanent method includes Male Sterilization, Female Sterilization.

Oral Contraceptives Oral contraceptives are most commonly used by women in the United States as a method of birth control.

Emergency Contraceptive Pills Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) or emergency birth control is meant to be taken after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

Birth Control Patch Birth control patch is a thin square contraceptive patch that is applied to the skin to prevent pregnancy.

Birth Control Ring Birth control ring (Nuva Ring) is a thin flexible plastic contraceptive ring which is inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy.

Birth Control Shot The birth control shot (Depo Provera) is a contraceptive injection that is administered into the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks to prevent pregnancy.

Norplant Norplant is a contraceptive implant made of soft rubber like material that consists of six thin flexible capsules.

Implanon Implanon is a birth control implant that consists of one thin flexible capsule which is inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm.

Male Condoms Male condoms are thin sheath that is worn over an erect penis during sexual intercourse.

Female Condoms The female condoms consists of thin loose-fitting sheath or pouch with soft flexible ring at each end which is inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy.

Diaphragms The diaphragms are made of soft latex with dome shape that consists of thin flexible spring around the rim.

Cervical Caps The cervical caps are made of rubber or plastic with dome shape similar to the diaphragms but smaller in size.

Contraceptive Sponge The contraceptive sponge is a soft round birth control sponge made of polyurethane foam containing spermicide which is inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy.

Birth Control Spermicide Birth control spermicide is a form of contraceptive that is applies into the vagina to prevent pregnancy.

IUD Intrauterine device or IUD is a small plastic T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

Female Sterilization Female sterilization is the permanent method of birth control for women. There are two types and these are Tubal Ligation and hysteroscopic sterilization.

Male Sterilization Male sterilization is the permanent method of birth control for men. The procedure is called vasectomy which may involve cutting or blocking the vas deferens.

Return from Contraception to Homepage Self Help Sexuality