History has seen its fair share of birth control methods with the most effective, of course, being abstinence. Other methods included coitus interruptus (pulling out before you cum), barrier methods (to block sperm), and herbal methods (to kill sperm or induce abortions). Barrier methods included Asian women using oiled paper as a cervical cap, and Europeans may have used beeswax. A primitive version of the modern condom appeared in the 17th century, made from animal intestine.
Barrier methods of birth control
The male condom is the most popular barrier method, and also provides excellent protection from most sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Female barrier methods include the contraceptive sponge, the diaphragm and the female condom or femidom. Diaphragms are reusable and last for several years but must be fitted by a doctor.
Hormonal methods
There are variety of delivery methods for hormonal contraception which involve combinations of synthetic oestrogens and progestins. The most common method is the pill, but there is also a patch, a contraceptive vaginal ring, intramuscular injections and contraceptive implants.
Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
These are contraceptive devices which are placed inside the uterus. They are sometimes shaped like a “T” but the common type in Australia is more hook-shaped. There are two main types of intrauterine contraceptives: those that contain copper (which has a spermicidal effect), and those that release a progestin.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception (EC) is sometimes called ‘the morning after pill’, and can be taken after unprotected sex to prevent (an unplanned) pregnancy. In many countries, EC is available at the chemist without a prescription. It’s best to take EC as soon as possible, but it still offers some protection up to three days after unprotected sex. Copper intrauterine devices may also be used as emergency contraception. They must be inserted within five days of the birth control failure or unprotected intercourse.
Abortion
Abortion can be done with surgical methods, usually suction-aspiration abortion (in the first trimester) or dilation and evacuation (in the second trimester). Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy and is approved for pregnancies of less than eight weeks gestation. Abortion should not be considered as a means of birth control.
Sterilisation
Surgical sterilisation is available in the form of tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men. A non-surgical sterilisation procedure, Essure, is also available for women.
Other methods of contraception
Fertility awareness methods involve a woman’s observation and charting of one or more of her body’s primary fertility signs, to determine the fertile and infertile phases of her cycle. Unprotected sex is restricted to the least fertile period.
Statistical methods such as the Rhythm Method estimate the likelihood of fertility based on the length of past menstrual cycles. Statistical methods are much less accurate than fertility awareness methods, and are considered by many fertility awareness teachers to have been obsolete for at least 20 years.
Coitus interruptus, or the withdrawal method, involves pulling out before ejaculation. While it is better than no contraception at all, it is a risky method, especially because pulling out in time can be tricky, especially when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Avoiding vaginal intercourse can involve anal sex, oral sex, or using the hands, breasts, armpits, or almost anything the imagination can come up with.
Most breastfeeding women have a period of infertility after child birth, so prolonged breast feeding can extend this natural birth control method for some time.
The most effective methods of birth control?
It is very difficult to say which methods are best. User error is a big problem – for example the pill is usually very reliable, but it’s easy to forget taking it one day, or at the wrong time. And even the effectiveness of the pill can be affected by antibiotics and some illnesses.
Another thing is that we should not only prevent unwanted pregnancies, but reduce our chances of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so condom is better than the pill in this respect.
The best bet is to get yourself along to your doctor or a famil planning clinic. You can talk confidentially with a health professional about the best method of contraception for your situation, and hopefully even get free tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) while you are at it.
GO TO THE HOME PAGE
This article has been reproduced from http://www.quihn.org by courtesy of QuIHN. Please note that copyright varies throughout the site. If you would like to reproduce information from this site, please note the relevant author and contact them.
