Contraception Methods You Can Use To Prevent Pregnancy

Contraception is the process of taking precautions to avoid becoming pregnant and getting STIs while having intercourse. You can accomplish this with the help of a variety of contraception methods. 

All methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Different strategies will be appropriate for couples or at distinct points in their life.

You might also have questions in your mind, like which contraception approach will be the most effective for me? Which strategy is the most useful for preventing STIs? Don't worry; this guide will give you a quick overview of different contraception options. 

Let's get going!

1. Condom

Condom is the only way of contraception that guards against most STIs and pregnancy. You can use this type of contraception whenever you want; it is hormone-free and is small enough to carry around with you. It's available in both men's and women's forms.

Condoms for men are wrapped onto an erect penis and operate as a physical barrier to protect sexual fluids from transferring between partners during sex. 

Besides, female condoms insert into the vaginal canal right before sex. A female condom is not as good as the male latex condom in regular use, and you might take some time to get used to it.

Cons of male condoms include tearing or coming off during sex if not used correctly; some individuals are allergic to latex condoms.

2. Oral Contraceptive Pill

You can take a contraceptive pill once a day. The oral contraceptive pill is a little tablet that most women use to prevent pregnancy. There are different kinds of medicines available on the market, and you need to choose the one that’s right for you. 

The mixed tablet includes estrogen and progestin, and the mini pill incorporates only one hormone, a progestin. The contraceptive pills might have numerous benefits, but remembering to take them on time is necessary.

A further advantage of taking a pill is that it allows sexual spontaneity, doesn’t discourage sex, sometimes even decreases heavy and painful periods, and might positively impact acne.

The limitations of taking pills are sometimes you might forget to take them, and they are not suitable for women who can't consume estrogen-containing contraception; it does not defend against STIs.

Also, you should visit your local doctor or gynecologist before starting tablets since they can cause any complications in your menstrual cycle. 

3. Intrauterine Device (IUD)

IUD is a small, T-shaped device. It is inserted into a woman's uterus by a skilled health professional and made of a substance containing progesterone hormone or plastics and copper. 

It's reversible, long-lasting contraception that can last anywhere from three to ten years, depending on the type. Some IUDs possess hormones slowly released to control pregnancy. 

IUDs including coppers are 99% adequate, and those including hormones are 99.8% useful, so you’re almost saved. The cons of IUD are you might get irregular periods and spotting that happens in the initial six months of use, it needs a professional doctor for insertion and removal, and it does not guard against getting STIs.

4. Contraceptive Implant

In this contraceptive method, A short, elastic rod is implanted beneath the skin of a woman's upper arm to release a type of the hormone progesterone. The hormone prevents the ovary from producing the egg and thickens cervical mucus, allowing sperm entry into the womb more difficult.

The disadvantage of this approach is that it needs a minor procedure by a skilled doctor for implantation and removal of the rod and needs replacement after three years. Further, sometimes you face irregular bleeding initially. 

5. Contraceptive Injection

The contraceptive injection holds a synthetic form of the hormone progestogen. A hormone injects into a woman's pelvis or upper arm, and the hormone is progressively released into her circulation over the next 12 weeks.

This injection can stay for up to three months and doesn’t interrupt sex. Its only weakness is it might drive disrupted periods and demands by keeping track of the number of months used.

6. Morning After Pill

You can use the emergency contraception pill, also known as the morning-after pill. It prevents pregnancy after sex if you forget to use contraception; a condom has torn during sex. 

This tablet is usually adequate for more than five days after having unprotected sex. The soon you have it, the more compelling it will work. If you have it in the first three days after intercourse, it controls almost 85% of expected pregnancies.

The typical side effects of the emergency contraceptive pill are nausea and vomiting, and the following period might get early or delayed. Also, it does not shield against STIs.

7. Contraceptive Ring

In this method, a flexible plastic ring is placed in the woman’s vagina that constantly releases hormones. It can endure in place for three weeks, and then you can extract it. This contraceptive ring releases estrogen and progestogen hormones. The advantage of using it is that you can place and remove it yourself. 

8. Diaphragm

A diaphragm is a tiny, soft silicone dome put into the vaginal canal to prevent sperm from reaching the egg, just like a condom; it creates a protective wall between the man's sperm and the woman's egg.

The diaphragm should remain in place for at least six hours after lovemaking. You should take it out and clean it after six hours, but no later than 24 hours after sex. You can utilize the same diaphragm more than once, and it can survive up to two years if you properly care.

Some disadvantages of utilizing a diaphragm include the need for practice and keeping track of the hours entered. When used appropriately, the diaphragm works relatively well, although not as well as tablets, contraceptive implants, or IUDs.

9. Sterilisation

By open or minimum intrusion surgery, sterilization is the procedure of entirely removing the body's ability to have children. It's a long-term contraception option for people who are confident they'll never want babies or don't want anymore in the future. Sterilization is possible for women and men and occurs under general anesthesia in a hospital.

You should consult with your doctor if you are thinking about sterilization. You can share your reasons for employing sterilization with a doctor and take their suggestions about this approach. 

Bottom Line

Numerous contraceptive choices help prevent pregnancy. Various methods might work better for different people. You can try a few other contraceptive procedures before settling on one that works best for them.

The efficiency of various contraceptive methods varies. Sexually active persons should discuss their choices with their doctor to select the best approach. Also, keep in mind male and female condoms are the only kinds of contraception that control STIs. I hope this guide will help if you consider employing any contraception method.