Non hormonal contraceptives come in the form of barrier methods and a copper IUD. These types of contraceptives are important because some women do not tolerate hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, the patch and the IUD (Mirena) which contain hormones. Other women fear the increased risk of strokes, heart disease, blood clots, heart attacks, and certain cancers.
Barrier methods are the most popular type of non hormonal contraceptives. Barrier methods include the male and female condom, the cervical cap, sponge, diaphragm, and spermicide. All of these non hormonal contraceptives are effective in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases if used properly. It is true that on rare occasions a condom will break or a cervical cap, sponge or diaphragm will fail but hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills and the Minera IUD) have also known to fail on occasion resulting in pregnancy. Practicing abstinence is the only one hundred percent effective method of birth control.
The copper IUD is also a form of a non hormonal contraceptive. There are a few brands of copper IUDs the Paragard IUD is the most popular. It is also important to know that not only do these IUD’s (intrauterine device) can either be made in the form of a T-shape or a coil. The available IUDs have various “lifetimes” they are effective between three and twelve years. They are inserted in the doctors office and can be removed and any time. Most importantly these IUDs do not contain hormones.
It is important for a woman to have a choice when it comes to contraceptives, not everyone woman wants “extra” hormones in her body so non hormonal contraceptives are a perfect solution.
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