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There are many types of birth control that people now choose. The anatomical factors, the health condition and the age become decisive factors for the choice of the right birth control method. Normally, steady couples make their decisions after consulting with a specialist first. Yet, people who have sexual intercourse occasionally and change sex partners often, have fewer safe options available. Condoms are the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and unplanned pregnancy. The other types of birth control cannot keep STD away.

Besides condoms, hormonal pills, intra-uterine devices, birth control sponges, shots, rings, spermicides, birth control patches, natural family planning methods and sperm barriers represent the main types of birth control now available. Normally, they all have a high efficiency rate, and pose no usage difficulty, yet, not every kind of birth control is universally valid. This is the reason why you should discuss the types of birth control available with a specialist in order to identify the one that suits you best.

Let’s take the case of hormonal pills. Such contraceptives have significantly improved over the years and they are much safer to use now than in the past. Even so, adverse reactions have not been completely eliminated and lots of women can’t use them for this very reason. You will have to be straightforward with the gynecologist about your love life and your medical history.

Health risks are associated with all the main types of birth control. Plus, the efficiency of the methods drops significantly if not used correctly. Once you learn what types of birth control you can use, you should move on to narrowing down your search and deciding for one or two methods to use in parallel. For example, you can try condoms and natural family planning or condoms and spermicides. Another possibility is to combine spermicides with diaphragms.

Lots of responsibility is required to actually build fertility awareness. You can only determine what types of birth control are most useful by analyzing the efficiency rate, the costs, the risks and the way the methods work. On the average, sexual education can be improved at any age, particularly since there is a multitude of facilities that provide assistance with this.

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Planned Parenthood is the American affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. This institution offers assistance to couples, singles, children and teens, not only for sexual issues but also for many other reproductive health care problems. It militates for pro-choice policies, sexual education and more comprehensive health programs provided by the government. The organization is considered very controversial because they provide surgical abortion on request.

The history of Planned Parenthood began in 1916 when Margaret Sanger founded the first American birth control center in Brooklyn, NY. In time the number of services provided increased, and the focus rapidly switched to women’s right in terms of sexual freedom and choices. There are over 850 affiliates of Planned Parenthood working around the United States, and the clinics usually provide services such as:

-abortion;
-counseling on pregancy issues;
-birth control solutions;
-emergency contraception;
-medical tests and screening for breast, testicular and ovary cancer;
-pregnancy medical tests;
-treatment for sexually transmitted diseases;
-hormonal treatments for andropause and menopause;
-sexual education and more.

The government allocates considerable funds to Planned Parenthood, yearly, but there are other private sponsors of the organizations such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Nevertheless, there is also pressure on the government to stop the support for Planned Parenthood, and many for-life organization make efforts in that direction. The right to abortion that the Planned Parenthood supports is considered very controversial and there is a number of laws that the organization fights against.

Planned Parenthood is for total sexual freedom and the possibility to make choices, and therefore opposes all forms of restrictions. Whether it be right or wrong, that is for everyone to tell for his/her part. Yet, it seems that the open discussion of abstinence and birth control methods is far more efficient for teens’ sexual education, and so far, this policy has given good results. If Planned Parenthood manages to reduce the number of abortions and inherent emotional traumas that derive from such interventions, it means that their efforts in favor of efficient birth control are worthy of appreciation.

Moreover, Planned Parenthood supports the testing of new contraceptives, but lots of reasons still make the organization controversial. Some matters have been the subject of public debates while other have never reached the eyes or ears of the media. The White House’s policy towards abortion may tip the scales to one side or another. We’ll see to which…

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Emergency contraception or the morning after pill is a hormonal treatment administered if another form of birth control has failed, or when no protection was used. There are many resemblances between the morning after pill and the regular hormonal pill since the ingredients are the same. Nevertheless, the concentrations are different, which makes the regular use of the morning after pill a potential health threat.

The morning after pill should be used as soon as possible after you have unprotected sex. Normally it can be used within three or five days after intercourse, but the sooner you act, the better for you. The efficiency is higher when you use the pill earlier. Do not mistake this birth control method for the abortion pill, because this is not the effect it produces. Emergency contraception simply prevents ovulation, and changes the lining of the uterus so that it cannot allow the egg to nest.

The efficiency rate is high and the chances of side effects are pretty reduced. You could experience spotting, breast tenderness, headaches and nausea. Read the list of side effects carefully as all packages have detailed specification on this matter for your birth control purpose. The morning after pill should not be used by women who suffer from severe liver disease or porphyria. The efficiency of the morning after pill could be impaired by other drugs or by some herbal supplements.

Contact the general practitioner right away to have a drug prescription. Do specify that you need the morning after pill urgently, in order not to be appointed for some later date. The risk of unwanted pregnancy is higher if you don’t act right away. Sometimes you may not even need a prescription to buy emergency contraception; the policy differs from state to state. The only downside is the cost, as the prices are a lot higher in pharmacies. Emergency contraception can be accessed freely with certain organizations, but you need to know where to call.

Be aware of the fact that the morning after pill does not offer protection for the rest of the menstrual cycle, and you still have to use some birth control method. Do not use more emergency contraceptives in the same month because of the serious adverse reactions. Rely on some serious birth control method or abstain from sex.

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Sexual awareness, good knowledge of how the body works and plenty of involvement in the family life are necessary for a couple to successfully practice natural family planning. This kind of birth control is not easy, and both partners share the duty of getting information. The same methods used for the prevention of pregnancy can also be applied the other way round, when the couple is trying to conceive. Among the most common options here we can mention tests for ovulation, the monitoring of the cervical mucus, the basal temperature method, the standard days method, and even computer fertility tests and charts.

Natural family planning comes cheap and it is not difficult to understand and put into practice. Yet, it requires willingness to accept the eventual limitations of the method as well as good communication with the life partner. From the entire month, only ten days can be fertile, you just have to approximate which ones. Two choices are possible: not to have sex or use some other birth control method. Condoms will prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, while natural family planning only works for pregnancy prevention.

It is important for the woman to interpret her fertility daily, so that natural family planning be effective. Keep in mind that there are chances of getting pregnant even if you calculate your fertile and infertile days; consequently, consider alternative birth control if a pregnancy could be devastating for you. Therefore, if a possible pregnancy would not be such a disaster for you, natural family planning could be taken more lightly. The effectiveness of the method can only be appreciated depending on how accurate the woman is with her interpretation.

In the case of perfect usage, natural family planning is more effective than oral contraceptives. Yet, if we are to discuss not the perfect user but the average user, the efficiency rate drops somewhere between 75% and 88%. These data are closer to reality because few people who use natural family planning, actually follow all the rules correctly.

Who uses natural family planning? Such birth control choices enjoy a higher popularity within some communities because of some cultural or religious beliefs. There are families that won’t mind conceiving and therefore take little care of birth control. In fact, for most couples who try natural family planning, a baby would not be a problem or a mistake.

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There is hardly any other contraceptive method as efficient as the birth control pill. Women take it daily, and thanks to the combination of hormones, it prevents ovulation and the release of eggs. And it works as follows:

-It contains a combination of estrogen and progesterone, both inhibitors of the ovulation. Without ovulation there is no chance of pregnancy.

-It thickens the cervical mucus preventing the sperm from entering the uterus.

-It changes the lining of the uterus, thus preventing the nesting of the egg.

The birth control pill has to be taken daily, preferably at the same hour, for twenty one days. During the seven days when there is no hormonal administration, the period appears. The pills are available either in 21 or in 28 pill packages. For the 28-pill package, the last seven pills are inactive, meaning that they contain no hormones at all.

As for the advantages of the birth control pill, they are pretty numerous.

-The bleeding is consistently reduced.
-The pre-menstrual discomfort disappears.
-Fertility is preserved, and it is totally reversible when you stop taking the pill.
-It solves hormonal imbalances.
-It prevents some forms of cancer.

There is one special kind of birth control pill that contains active hormones for 12 weeks and then inactive pills for a week. This means that the frequency of the period will be reduced to one in three months.

The mini-pill is another type of hormonal contraceptive we should mention in the category of the birth control pill. It contains progesterone only, and it requires continuous administration daily, on the same hour, without the monthly break. The efficiency of the mini-pill is considered inferior to the combined birth control pill.

The efficiency range of the birth control pill is very high, although 8 out of 100 couples face an unexpected pregnancy yearly, despite the use of this treatment. The chances of getting pregnant increase if you fail to take the pill daily, or you take it at random hours. Plus, the efficiency of the medication also depends on some individual factors too.

For example, the birth control pill may not work properly when drugs or herbal supplements are administered in parallel. Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions should not be overlooked. Read carefully about the possible adverse reactions to the birth control pill, as well as the health conditions that make the use of the pill very risky. Stick doctor’s orders for the administration of the birth control pill!

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Fertility awareness inevitably leads to natural birth control. There are many couples out there who for one reason or another cannot use hormonal contraceptives, and prefer to combine natural family planning with some non-traditional birth control method. The sympto-thermal method, the ovulation method, the standard days method or the rhythm method are just a few of the natural birth control choices people rely on. Yet, they seem to work in a similar way.

The standard days method

According to this type of natural birth control, the menstrual cycle is divided into three main periods. The menstrual bleeding occurs on day !. Between day 1 and day 8, you are unlikely to get pregnant and you can have sex without birth control. Ovulation occurs between day 9 and day 18, and this is the most fertile interval. You should not have sex, or you should use another birth control method. Natural birth control is once again possible between day 20 and day 32.

The ovulation method

The analysis of the changes in the cervical mucus makes the basis for the ovulation method. Ovulation usually takes place between the 9th and the 18th day of the menstrual cycle, but variations are possible from woman to woman. The fertility tests available in drug stores can help you determine when you ovulate, and thus you can use some extra birth control during that period.

The sympto-thermal method

The sympto-thermal method is both a natural birth control solution as well as an option for couples trying to conceive. It requires a careful monitoring of the changes in the body and it needs several months to reach a conclusion for the observation.

There are no guarantees with natural birth control. There are many unknown factors in the way a woman’s body works during the menstrual cycle, and many unplanned pregnancies appear as a result. If the menstrual pattern is regular, then the efficiency of natural birth control methods is very high, just like that of hormonal birth control. Seek medical advice and see what recommendations you can get. Professional advice makes choices a lot easier, and good information may save you from an unwanted pregnancy!

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Hormonal birth control gives most side effects of all. Pills have the lowest tolerance level, but individual factors have the biggest influence under the circumstances. We will briefly refer to the most common birth control side effects, yet, regardless of how mild they may seem, they ought to be reported to the doctor if they do not cease after the period of time specified in the usage instructions.

Headaches, dizziness and breast tenderness are usually transitory birth control side effects. Regular body comfort returns once the system gets used to the extra hormones. The same thing will happen with nausea, although this adverse reaction is less frequent. You can deal with the problem if you take the hormonal pill with food. In case the side effects do not cease and you are in a good health condition, the doctor may suggest a switch of brands.

Breakthrough bleeding or spotting is the most common of hormonal birth control side effects, yet it is unbearable for lots of women. The incidence of this inconvenience could be reduced if you take the pill at the same time every day. Normally, spotting goes away within the first month of pill usage, but it is nevertheless common for the first two months of pills use.

Mood swings also affect a large number of women as a reaction to estrogen and progesterone intake. It is important to run medical tests and determine whether the birth control pill is to blame for depression. If it is indeed behind the problem, the pill will not work for you in general. Try non-hormonal birth control methods that have fewer adverse reactions.

Smokers, women over 35 and those suffering from an existing health condition are more exposed to birth control side effects. In the case of a perfectly healthy woman, birth control side effects appear just as a temporary reaction to the treatment. Weight gain should not be an issue while on hormonal pills although such side effects have sometimes been reported by users suffering from pre-existing hormonal imbalances.

Very serious birth control side effects include chest pain, blurred vision, abdominal cramps, numbness in the limbs, severe headaches and faintness. If you experience any of these, address a health care facility right away and stop the treatment. Talk to the gynecologists about any abnormal symptoms you may have. Do not use birth control pills without prescription because you could seriously endanger your health.

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An easy to administrate contraceptive solution, the birth control shot makes a good choice for lots of couples all over the world. It contains progesterone only, with the hormone being slowly released into the body. The main impact of this hormone is to prevent ovulation, meaning that there will be no egg release monthly.

The efficiency range of the birth control shot is superior to that of the birth control pill. While with the pill, 8 in 100 couples get pregnant yearly, the rate is only 3 in 100 per year in the case of the birth control shot. The chances of getting pregnant are very high if you don’t administer the next shot on time.

You should also be aware of the fact that the birth control shot does not provide protection against STD. Plus, there are physiological changes that could be an inconvenience while using this birth control method. Normally included in the list of adverse reactions, you could be experiencing:
-irregular menstrual periods;
-headaches, breast tenderness and weight gain;
-depression and mood changes.

Most of these problems disappear with the cessation of the treatment, yet, you may have to battle against overweight fiercely afterwards. There are some further serious warnings related to the long-term usage of the progesterone injection. Thus, studies indicate that it increases the incidence of loss in bone density which could lead to osteoporosis.

In case you decide that the birth control shot is a good option for you, talk to your health care provider and make sure that your daily calcium intake is enough to support the hormonal treatment without loss of bone density. Moreover, fertility may be harder to recover after the long term use of the birth control shot. The fertility problem is not permanent, and women can recover in time, but difficulties could appear along the way.

We should also expose some health issues or conditions that make the use of the birth control shot problematic. You should not administer it if you suffer from any of the following:

-migraine;
-blood clots;
-unexplained vaginal bleeding;
-thrombosis;
-cancer;
-if you suspect a pregnancy.

As for costs, the birth control shot is not expensive, not to mention that health insurance usually covers the expenses. The best advice you can get related to the shot is at your doctor’s office.

Moreover, do not use other drugs or herbal supplements in parallel with the birth control shot because you could reduce the efficiency. If you must follow a medical treatment, then use some alternative birth control method.

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Free birth control has become a solution to reduce the high number of abortions as well as limit the infections with various STD including HIV. This option is also highly valuable for couples who can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars on birth control, or who need to make savings. Local health departments now provide free birth control all over the United States. Lots of the programs available also provide access to free medical investigations in addition to offering free birth control.

Planned Parenthood should be your first stop when searching for free birth control solutions. Gynecologist exams and free pills are the most important services included in the Family Planning Benefit Program. If this doesn’t work for you, try a non-profit pregnancy center in your neighborhood. It is a false assumption that such centers provide services only to pregnant women, as they can also assist you prevent pregnancy efficiently.

As for teens, the access to free birth control is bliss. Teens will use birth control methods if they are well informed and supported in their choices. The risk not only of pregnancy but also of sexually transmitted diseases gets a lot lower too. Give teens all the support they need to learn about their sexuality and be able to cope with it. Free birth control methods are available in lots of places. You just need to ask for their help!

Teens even get free condoms as bonuses for online purchases. The package is shipped discreetly and you can enjoy the gift without paying a cent. Free birth control methods are also provided in high-schools and colleges by volunteers working for non-profit organizations: they offer sexual education and support to teens. Condoms enjoy the highest popularity and they are encouraged over other birth control methods because they also protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Ask for free birth control with the local school health center. Students who don’t want their parents to learn about their sex life should inquire on the school’s policy before seeking free birth control. There are other possibilities here too, besides the school health office. One way or the other, you should be able to find free birth control from one of the sources we’ve mentioned here.

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The birth control ring is a local device made of a soft and flexible material that is inserted in the vagina. It slowly releases hormones into the blood stream so as to influence the uterus and the ovaries and thus prevent pregnancy. The birth control ring contains two main ingredients: progesterone and estrogen, both with a role in the function of the reproductive system. The blockage of the ovulation means that no egg is released for fertilization. The ring also triggers changes in the uterine lining and the thickening of the cervical mucus.

The ring is inserted in the vagina on the first day of the monthly bleeding and it remains there for three weeks in a row. It should be removed on the same day of the week when it was inserted. Don’t use it for seven days more and the menstrual bleeding will occur. On the seventh day insert another ring and continue the cycle. The similarity is very high with regular hormonal treatments. Yet, you should check the usage instructions carefully so as to be sure that you don’t overlook some detail. When you first start the treatment, use some supplementary birth control method for seven days.

During this interval, the birth control ring needs to be used in parallel with some other birth control method: condom, most of the time. It is important to know that the ring will not protect you against sexually transmitted disease. You may wonder about the physical comfort, but this should not be a problem. You can tell in which position it seems more comfortable. You should not feel it as you don’t feel a vaginal tampon. Leave it in place when swimming, bathing or during intercourse.

In terms of efficiency, the birth control ring acts similarly with the combined pills. Yet, you may not be able to use it if you suffer from certain health conditions. Only a health care provider can determine whether the birth control ring makes a good choice for you or not. The number of adverse reactions is lower for the birth control ring, yet, unpleasant symptoms are often reported. Dizziness, headaches, spotting and mood changes are a few of the regular reactions to the use of the birth control ring. Normally, after the transition period, the inconvenience should go away.

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