Birth control or contraception refers to the use of contraceptives by people who want to prevent pregnancy. There are many birth control options, including condoms, intrauterine devices, hormonal contraceptives, and other forms of contraception.
Hormonal birth control prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation and thickening of cervical mucus. Depending on the method of hormonal birth control, there may be additional factors that protect against pregnancy, as many do, such as the presence of hormones in the blood or the use of a contraceptive.
Examples of birth control include intrauterine devices, also known as IUDs, and hormonal contraceptives such as condoms. These include condoms, vasectomies, uterine implants, hormonal birth control, or hormonal implants with hormonal components.
Apart from abstinence or abstinence from sex, no birth control method is 100 percent effective or constantly prevents pregnancy. For example, only about 1% of those who use implants or IUDs get pregnant, and only 0.5% do not.
All birth control methods have proven to be reliable in preventing conception, but there is no evidence that they are officially labeled as contraception. In addition to contraception, other methods of contraception (such as condoms, IUDs, and hormonal contraceptives) are also referred to as “birth control.” Contraception (or “birth control”) is a deliberate attempt to prevent pregnancy through sex.
There are numerous types of birth control that can help women prevent unwanted pregnancy and regulate the menstrual cycle. Below is a brief overview of what birth control is and how it works, along with some of the most common methods of contraception.
It is important to remember that for all the methods listed below, only male-to-female condoms offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Non-regular birth control should only be used in an emergency, and if you have had sex before using one of these birth controls, you will not have sex again until you have a low risk of HIV infection. Emergency contraception (EC) is used to prevent pregnancy if a birth control method has a spermicide, is not used because it does not work (for example, the condom breaks during sex), or if another method of birth control works for example, but emergency contraception, EC is only used to prevent pregnancy in emergencies.
It is most effective when taken before or after unprotected sex, but can also be taken in the middle of the night, during the day, or at night. It can prevent pregnancy if it works in conjunction with other birth control methods such as condoms.
Hormonal birth control, including implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs), can often prevent pregnancy for many years or decades. It acts as a long-acting reversible contraceptive and works in conjunction with other methods such as condoms. If you are still thinking about children and do not want surgery, there are oral birth control pills in various forms that are less durable and do not require surgery.
Some women believe that access to birth control has a positive effect on their lives and those very effective methods such as sterilization, IUDs, implants, implants, and pills are important. Many women are familiar with long-acting reversible contraceptive methods such as condoms, but their effectiveness is underestimated. According to a survey by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, only 6 percent of women consider rhythm methods and natural family planning to be “very effective” in preventing pregnancy. Natural family planning, also called fertility awareness, works, but only if you and your partner are very careful.
– Disclaimer –
This blog is for informational & educational purposes only, and does not intend to substitute any professional medical advice or consultation. For any health related concerns, please consult with your physician, or call 911.
Cited Sources
- https://www.insider.com/birth-control
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/birth-control-4014756
- https://www.rush.edu/services/test-treatment/birth-control-0
- https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/women-want-effective-birth-control
- https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/especially-for-teens/birth-control
- https://helloclue.com/articles/sex/here-are-all-of-your-hormonal-birth-control-options
- https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/birth-control.aspx
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About The Author
Dr. Syra Hanif M.D.Board Certified Primary Care Physician
Dr. Syra Hanif is a board-certified Primary Care Physician (PCP) dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered healthcare.
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