method of birth

Resources

Which method of birth control is most effective? It is never too late to learn about birth control. The more knowledge and information you have about it, the better your understanding is about the subject and therefore, you will be able to make a better decision about the type of birth control method that should be best for you. You know that there are a number of different birth control options in the market today. Is there a “most effective” birth control method? Which could it be?

The truth is, any birth control method is only as effective as your careful use of it. A condom may be effective against STD’s and unwanted pregnancies but if you don’t put it on when you need to, then it fails and you end up getting your partner pregnant. A pill may be touted as the most effective birth control for women but if you don’t conscientiously take them every day, then you are lessening its effectiveness yourself.

A birth control method may be effective when you take into account all the other factors surrounding its use. Here are some examples ranked from most effective to not as effective:

•   Birth control methods like the vasectomy and female sterilization are the only methods that can totally prevent pregnancy even while still having sex. Vasectomy prevents the sperm from going to the penis so that when the man ejaculates, there is actually no sperm contained in it. Female sterilization actually stops the woman’s eggs from coming into the uterus for them to be fertilized by sperm. Continuous abstinence can also prevent pregnancy but it actually withholds sex and it’s a conscious decision to prevent sex from happening.

•   The second most effective birth control methods include the shots (injectables), the pill, the ring and the patch. All of these birth control methods are hormonal in nature and they prevent the ovaries from releasing the eggs. With no eggs coming into the uterus, the sperm have nothing to fertilize, hence no pregnancy. Shots need to be taken every 3 months; pills are to be taken every day; rings and patches are to be replaced every 3 weeks. Failure to follow these strict schedules may lead to pregnancy.

•   Some of the least effective birth control methods include those that involve the insertion of devices into the body, like sponges, caps and diaphragms because the incorrect placement may lead to pregnancy. Condoms and the withdrawal method are also least effective because they interfere with the natural progress of the sexual act and are most likely to be forgotten prior to ejaculation.s

•   Fertility-awareness based methods are considered the least effective birth control methods because the woman needs to continuously monitor her cycle, determining her fertile periods and not having sex on those dates to make it work. However, if the woman isn’t conscientious about jotting down these details and in the end, she fails to know her fertile days, then on the occasion that she has unprotected sex, she may end up pregnant.

Pregnancy

• Am I pregnant?
• What are pregnancy symptoms?
• What to expect during your pregnancy?

STDs

• What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their treatment?

Ectopic Pregnancy and Miscarriage

• What is ectopic pregnancy?
• What is miscarriage and what are its causes?

Family Planning

• Which method of birth control is most effective?
• Facts on Birth Control
• What are the abortion facts that you should know?
• What types of abortion are available?
• How does the abortion pill compare with emergency contraception?
• How much does an abortion cost?

Other Organizations

• What is the difference between other Private Providers and Planned Parenthood?
• Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• The Guttmacher Institute
• Center for Reproductive Rights
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)