Know The Types Of Contraception To Prevent Pregnancy

by Agastya K. Finance Blogger

It is a common practice to use birth control for effective family planning and menstrual regulation. With its wide usage and safety concerns, there are many options available to choose from. Some of them are highly popular while others are not. Knowing all is the best way to use contraceptive methods that match your lifestyle and needs.

No matter which birth control option you opt for, consider using condoms regardless, as they protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. You can choose the method by comparing the convenience of use, cost, side-effects and other aspects.

How does contraception work?

Most of us know that contraception prevents pregnancy but are unaware of its workings. Understanding the method might help you make an informed selection. It stops the sperm from reaching the eggs or ova by:

Distancing the egg from the sperm.
Ceasing egg production.
Stopping the combined egg and sperm from attaching to the womb’s lining.

Depending on the technique used, birth control gets classified into different categories, such as:

Long-term: It is a suitable technique if you want a practical and low-maintenance experience. You can choose between a hormonal or a copper intrauterine device (IUD). It is 99% effective and works for about three to 10 years. You can remove it easily if you plan to conceive at a later stage.

Hormonal methods: This type of contraception involves controlling your body’s natural hormone balance and ovulation. This gets further categorised into short-acting and combined methods. The former prevents sperm from reaching the egg by altering ovulation, and the latter involves delivering estrogen/progestin drugs. Progestin-only pills and injectables are used in short-acting and a vaginal ring, patch and oral contraceptive for combined method.

Barrier creation: This is the most widely used option among couples. It creates a one-time barrier during sexual intercourse and stops the sperm from reaching the eggs. Examples include male/female condoms, contraceptive sponges, diaphragms, cervical caps, etc., which does not require a prescription to buy. The effectiveness of this method is lower in comparison. Hence, using pregnancy kits regularly is best to avoid risks.

Permanent: If you are sure that you do not want to conceive forever, choose this method. It uses tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men to cancel out the chance of pregnancy permanently. It is a simple procedure that does not hinder your regular activities except for achieving its purpose.

Emergency: If you have not used birth control proactively or experienced any issue with its functioning, you can still opt for an alternative method. There are contraceptives available for reducing the chances of pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. They are emergency contraceptive pills and copper IUD. The key is to take them immediately for effective results. They interfere with the sperm function for preventing pregnancy.