-Our Bodies, Ourselves
Chapter 18, Birth Control
Chapter 18, Birth Control
Before making any decision about birth control, Alpha just wanted to inform you on some facts and tips over the topic. So firstly, just because you want or you're on birth control doesn't mean you always want to have sex - that's just silly. You shouldn't be rushed into getting birth control - start when your comfortable. But remember! Make sure you have done your research and know what you're doing! Consult a doctor - or more specifically a gynecologist.
Birth control isn't always the female duty. You've heard of condoms, yes? That happens to be another form of birth control - for men. Usually, men share the same feelings about birth control so its always wise to talk about it with your partner. Condoms are never 100% protective (they're like 97% or 99%). So it's the responsibility of both people in the relationship. Condoms are not only used to prevent pregnancy but also to protect against STDs. But the topic of condoms we'll discuss later. Now it's time to discuss the different forms of birth control for women (besides condoms).
Methods of Birth Control
**No method is perfect, each differ in safety and effectiveness**
1: Diaphragm
It is a shallow, dome-shaped, soft rubber cup that fits securely in the vagina to cover the cervix. Spermicide is placed in the cup, facing the cervix to kill or immobilize sperm and prevent them from entering the uterus and fertilizing an egg.
- Effectiveness: Can be up to 94% ~ 98% . Typically though, 80% effective
- Advantages: Can be inserted 6 hours before sex, doesn't affect periods, some protection from infections, can be used during the period to contain the flow, minimal side effects, controlled by you
- Disadvantages: Doesn't provide as much protection agaisnt HIV, may interrupt spontaneity, requires fitting at a clinic, needs occasional refitting, may increase bladder infections, can be messy
2: Cervical Cap
A thimble-shaped rubber or silicone cap that fits snugly over the cervix and is held in place by suction. It is used with spermicidal cream or jelly to kill or immobilize sperm and prevent it from entering the uterus and fertilizing an egg. There are four types of cervical caps: the Prentif Cap, the Lea's Shield, the FemCap, the Oves cap.
- Effectiveness: For women who have never given birth - (91% effective with perfect use) 84% effective with typical use. For women who have given birth - (74% effective with perfect use) 68% effective with typical use. It does not protect agaisnt STDs including HIV/AIDS
- Advantages: Can be inserted up to six hours before sex, comfortable, doesn't affect your period, no physical side affects, controlled by you
- Disadvantages: doesn't protect agaisnt STDs and HIV, relatively high failure rate, may interrupt spontaneity, some types require a fitting at a clinic, some women cannot be fitted, can be difficult to insert or remove, can be dislodged during intercourse.
3: Spermicides
Spermicide destroys or disables sperm so that it cannot fertilize an egg to cause a pregnancy. Nonoxynol-9 is the active ingredient in most spermicides which are available in foam, jelly, cream, film, and suppositories. It provides lubrication and is most effective when used consistently and correctly with a barrier method of birth control, like condoms. They also kill germs so there's some protection agaisnt tract infections, but nothing for HIV and can increase risk.
- Effectiveness: When used perfectly they are 94% effective. With typical use, 74% effective.
- Advantages: Available without a prescription, lubrication increases pleasure
- Disadvantages: Nonoxynol-9 can increase risk of HIV transmission, must be applied before penetration, can be messy, may make oral sex less pleasant, may irritate vulva or vagina and increase risk of urinary tract infection, can interrupt spontaneity
4: Hormonal Methods - The Pill
Menstrual bleeding is a result of the interaction of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in our bodies. Hormonal contraceptives use synthetic forms of human hormones to suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy. The Pill is the most popular type of birth control. There are many different brands of the pill - it works by stopping ovulation by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs. It is a very effective method of birth control but doesn't protect agaisnt STDs including AIDS/HIV.
- Effectiveness: Perfect use - 99%; Typical use - 95% ( 1 out of 20 women become pregnant)
- Advantages: May cause lighter or more regular periods, may reduce painful periods, easy to use, does not interrupt spontaneity, reduces incidence of ovarian cysts and fibrocystic breast changes, may relieve PMS, protects agaisnt uterine and ovarian cancers, provides some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease, may reduce acne, can be used for emergency contraception.
- Disadvantages: Doesn't protect agaisnt STDs including HIV, must be taken everyday - can be difficult to remember, can have unpleasant side affects, raises risk of heart attack and stroke for some, requires a prescription, may cause depression
5: Contraceptive Patch
The Patch is a prescription method of birth control. It looks like a band-aid and is applied to the abdomen, buttocks, upper arm, or upper torso. The patch is changed every week for three weeks, left off for one and then back again. It works by slowing releasing a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones through the skin. It's the same hormones as the pill and thus works the same way and has the same side effects.
- Effectiveness: It is very effective, said to be more effective than the pill even! With perfect use 99% effective for women under 198 pounds. For typical use it is similar to the pill.
- Advantages: Same as the pill, although more women find the patch more convenient.
- Disadvantages: Same as the pill except you have to remember to use a new patch once a week rather than to take a pill every day.
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There are more birth control methods to come! Refer to Part II.
Love,
ALPHA
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