Different Types of Contraceptives

There is no excuse not to practice safe when there are so many different types of contraceptives available. Both women and men have the option of choosing a birth control pill or a condom now.

Contraceptives come in several form including barrier methods, oral, injections, and surgical procedures. In this article, we are going to look at a few of the most common types of contraceptives.

Barrier Methods

When talking about contraceptives barrier methods is defined as method of contraception, in which the entry of sperm to the womb is blocked by a protective device. Some barrier methods include the male and female condoms, diaphragm, dental dam, sponge, cervical cap, and spermicides. All of these barrier methods have high success rates for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases if used correctly.

Birth Control Pills & Injections

There are several brands of birth control pills available all of which require a prescription. The most popular type of birth control pills are the combined pill, this type of pill has both estrogen and progestin and is a highly effective form of birth control when taken everyday at the same time. However, it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. The progestin pill is a good solution for women who are sensitive to the side effects of estrogen it is about 80% effective and again does not protect against STDs.

Depo-Provera is an injection form of birth control it is made of the hormone progestin (which is also made in the body) the progestin also thickens the cervical mucus, which helps prevent the sperm from getting through to the egg. The shot is effective for three months.

Inserted Types of Birth control

We will only look at the temporary types of birth control that are inserted either in the doctor’s office or surgically. The IUD (intrauterine device) comes in copper, which does not contain any hormones it works by “negatively affecting the mobility of sperm and preventing them from joining with an egg. Additionally, the foreign body inside the uterus irritates the lining and wall making it hard for an embryo to implant.” The other type of IUD is hormonal the Mirena it is inserted like the copper IUD and the hormones prevent pregnancy.

Conclusion

The different types of contraceptives listed above are not the only types they are just the most common. There are also permanent methods of birth control such as a tubal ligation and a vasectomy. These methods are both reversal-able but the major of women have a difficult time becoming pregnant after a reversal so it is wise to think these two options through before having them done.