Birth control pills are just one among several different methods of contraception.
Contraceptives work to prevent pregnancy by keeping the sperm from making contact with the egg. This can be achieved either by a barrier method or by hormonal release in a woman's body. There are various types of birth control, from devices to surgery, and some are more effective than others.
Non-Hormonal Contraception
Non-hormonal contraception methods use a physical barrier to prevent any contact between sperm and egg during sexual intercourse. Condoms can be used by both sexes, but women have additional barrier options. They include a diaphragm, cervical cap, vaginal ring, the sponge and spermicide. Male condoms are worn on the penis, while female condoms and other devices are inserted into the vagina.
Spermicide, which comes in the form of creams, foams, gels or suppositories, has chemicals that stop sperm from moving and is often used alongside other devices for added protection.
Hormonal Contraception
Women also use hormonal methods of contraception by ingesting hormones that change the environment of the womb and keep the ovaries from releasing an egg.
These hormones can be taken orally as a pill, implanted in the arm as a rod, worn as a patch or injected as a shot into the arm.
Other Birth Control Options
An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a small, plastic T-shaped device placed in a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. An IUD must be inserted by a health care professional. Depending on the type of IUD used, this form of contraception can last from five to 12 years.
The surgical method of contraception is available to both men and women. A procedure known as sterilization surgically closes a woman's fallopian tubes, preventing any eggs from reaching the uterus. A vasectomy is a surgical process that blocks sperm from leaving the testicles and mixing with the semen, so any resulting ejaculation will be free of sperm. Both surgeries are considered permanent forms of birth control but they can still be reversed.
Breastfeeding is used for birth control by women after they give birth. Excessive breastfeeding alters a woman's hormones in a way that prevents pregnancy.
Contraceptive Effectiveness
Choosing the right method of contraception depends on different elements, including age, medical history and frequency of sexual activity. The type of contraceptive used may vary over time, resulting from any changes to these factors.
Most contraceptives are effective if used properly, but there is no form of contraception that guarantees complete pregnancy prevention aside from abstinence. However, all condoms also provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
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