This is about BIRTH CONTROL. The
only thing that protects against STIs are condoms. Many of the mentioned methods can be used together to ensure effectiveness. Percentages of effectiveness are based on typical use v perfect use.
It's just a brief overview for the essential information. If you're interested in a certain method, googling it will prove fruitful. I swear.
I. Barrier Methods
A. Diapragm
1. 84%-94% effective
2. A shallow latex cup that’s inserted in the vagina. It can stay there for 24 hours before use.
3. Increases chance of bladder infections
4. Should be used with spermicide.
5. Rx only.
B. Cervical Cap
1. Fem Cap – A silicon cup used to prevent sperm from getting to the egg. 71%-86% effective
2. Lea’s Shield – A silicon cup with an air valve. It’s 85% effective. I’m not sure what the air valve is for, but I’m looking into it.
3. Can be left in for 24 hours before use.
4. By prescription only.
C. Male Condom
1. 85%-98%
2. Should be rolled down erection with all air bubbles squeezed out to prevent breaking.
3. Are available in latex or lambskin. Since lambskin is porous, it’s not as effective as latex.
D. Female Condom
1. 79%-95%
2. Is a lining that prevents the sperm from contacting the egg. The end of it should be outside of the vagina.
3. Also available in lambskin or latex.
E. Sponge
1. 68%-91%
2. Can be inserted hours before. Fairly cheap and over the counter.
II. Hormone Methods
A. Combined-Hormone Pill
1. 92%-99.7%
2. Prevents implantation of fertilized egg. Thickens uterine wall.
3. By prescription only.
4. 21 active pills are taken followed by a week of dummy pills while you get your period.
5. A new pill, “Seasonale” is a pack of 91 pills instead of 28 with 84 active days. This adjusts your body to have 4 periods a year.
6. A “low dose” pill can lower the severity of side effects such as nausea and weight gain that often accompany the normal pill. Usual pills have 30-35 micrograms of estrogen while the low dose only has 20.
B. POP (Progesterone Only Pill)
1. 92%-99.7% effective
2. Take every day of the year.
3. Is used by women with allergies to estrogen.
C. Ring
1. 99.7%
2. The ring stay inserted into the vagina for 3 weeks where it releases hormones. Is taken out for the week of you period.
3. Increases vaginal discharge
D. Patch (Ortho Evra)
1. 99.7%
2. Place on your butt, stomach, upper, or upper torso.
3. You put a new patch on one a week for 3 weeks and off for the 4th week for your period.
E. Implant (Impanon)
1. 99.9% effective
2. The doctor places the implant under the skin of your upper arm.
3. It prevents ovaries from releasing an egg and thickens uterine wall.
4. It’s progesterone only.
5. It may give you irregular bleeding patterns, headaches, nausea, dizziness, sore breasts, you know, the usual.
F. IUD (Intra-Uterine Device)
1. 99.2%-99.9% effective
2. The doctor will insert a copper T that will release hormones for up to 12 YEARS! If you get the brand “Paraguard”.
G. Injectable Contraceptive
1. 97%-99.7%
2. You get a shot every 3 months
3. $30-$75 per injection, not including visit fee.
III. Other Methods
A. Spermicide
1. 71%-82%
2. A jelly-like substance used in conjunction with other methods, it kills sperm. There’s also a suppository option.
3. Nonoxyl-9 can irritate genital tissue and increase risk on contracting HIV is used multiple times a day. Use here and there, isn’t dangerous.
4. Only effective up to 2 hours before use.
B. Withdrawal
1. 73%-96%
2. Can be VERY effective if the man knows his body. People often knock it because it depends purely on the couple’s actions, there’s no other physical help. But it can be more effective than a lot of other methods.
3. Coupled with periodic abstinence is best.
C. Periodic Abstinence
1. 75%-99% effective
2. You keep track of your period on a calendar to determine when you’re ovulating and when you should abstain.
3. You can’t use this method if you have periods that are shorter than 26 days or longer than 32
4. Temperature right after waking should be recorded. When your temp is highest, that’s when you’re ovulating.
5. Mucous should be noted as well. There’ll be more right before your period.
D. Sterilization
1. Female – Tubal – blocks tubes where sperm joins egg.
2. $2000-$6000
3. Male – Vasectomy – blocks tubes that carried sperm.
4. $350-$1000
5. Both are 99.5-99.9% effective. Those that do slip by have a high chance of become ectopic pregnancies.
E. Morning After Pill
1. 75-99.7% effective
2. Taken within 5 days of unprotected sex can help prevent pregnancy
3. It’s basically a strong dose of the normal birth control pill.
4. You take 2 pills 12 hours apart
5. Emergency IUD – 99.9% effective if inserted within 5 days.
FAQ about the pill
Planned Parenthood
Everything you ever wanted to know about the diaphragm.
Cervical Cap facts
Condoms
[This message has been edited by MrMojoRisin (edited 06-26-2006).]
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