Despite the wide arsenal of contraceptive methods, the number of abortions as a result of unwanted pregnancies is still quite high. This is primarily due to the low level of knowledge of women and men about contraceptive methods, the inability to choose the most optimal method for themselves. What methods of contraception can we use and how to choose the best one?
Contraception Reliability Rating
- The most reliable methods: surgical sterilization and hormonal contraceptives (99.9%);
- Intrauterine device (99%);
- Condoms (98%);
- Spermicides (72%);
- Interrupted sexual intercourse, calendar method (less than 60%).
Birth control pills: best way to prevent pregnancy
Hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills) are recommended to women who have a regular sex life and know for sure that their partner is healthy but are not planning pregnancy in the nearest future. The modern market offers the largest selection of hormonal contraceptives.
Many people who have regular partners refuse the barrier and spermicidal methods of protection. Their solution is not surprising – these methods are not very convenient for constant use since the drugs must be used before each intercourse and, one way or another, they affect sensations from intimacy. Another big disadvantage of these methods of contraception – condoms or spermicides may end at the most inappropriate time and you will either have to go to the pharmacy or have unprotected sexual intercourse.
Contraceptive pills are perhaps the best method of contraception for regular partners. Modern birth control pills have a small dose of hormones and their effect on the woman’s body is minimal. The contraceptive effect of hormonal pills exceeds 99%. Modern tablets of well-known global manufacturers have not only contraceptive effects but also therapeutic.
For example, combined oral contraceptives containing the hormone drospirenone help women to cure acne, cope with the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, prevent fluid retention in the body and weight gain. Also, hormonal contraceptives help women regulate the cycle and prevent certain gynecological diseases (polycystic ovary, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, etc.).
Modern contraceptives can boast of a very convenient mode of application. Now women have the opportunity to avoid the seven-day skip of pills, using convenient packages containing placebo. The most popular contraceptives are released in the form of 24 + 4 and 26 + 2, (24 and 26 active tablets, respectively). And do not forget that hormonal contraceptives should be selected with your gynecologist.
Despite the large selection, convenience and effectiveness of oral contraceptives, some women still trust the “popular” methods of preventing pregnancy: interrupted sexual intercourse and the calendar method (“safe days” calculation). However, experts say that such options can be used only by those women who do not mind to have a child in the near future. The thing is that the contraceptive effect of such methods is extremely low – less than 60%, and if a woman has an irregular menstrual cycle, the effect is completely reduced to zero. Moreover, many doctors do not recommend interrupting sexual intercourse since this process affects the psyche of men and can lead to a number of urological diseases.
If you are not ready to become parents yet, you should not use such methods since they can lead to unwanted pregnancy or abortion, which is more harmful to health than, for example, oral contraceptives. The best option is to consult your doctor and choose a suitable method of contraception.
What’s the best birth control pill brand?
Keep in mind that every woman is individual and there is no best birth control pill. According to statictists, most women prefer the following brands of oral contraceptives:
- Yaz;
- Levlen;
- Mircette;
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen;
- Plan B;
- Alesse;
- Yasmin
Tips for beginners
At the very beginning of a relationship, when there is no 100% certainty in the long term of the union, you’d better use barrier methods of contraception. Condoms are the only type of contraception that protects you from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Vaginal suppositories, foams, and films also have a contraceptive effect and protect against sexually transmitted infections, but their efficiency not so high. Many couples complain that the fullness of sensations is lost when using latex protection. But you should not worry! As soon as you begin to trust your partner completely, you will be able to switch to ways of preventing pregnancy that do not affect sexual feelings!
Category: Birth control
Tags: birth control pills, contraception, Contraceptives, women's health