Chosing the Best Birth Control for You and Your Partner

Before you chose the best birth control for you and your partner you need to know what it is you want out of your birth control. This article will list the different types of birth control. Their records of effectiveness, any potential side effects and when and how they are used. The article will finish by listing some questions that you should ask yourself and your partner so that you can make a fully informed decision.

Rubbers and Condoms: When used correctly rubbers and condoms will prevent pregnancy over 90% of the time. The problem with rubbers and condoms is that they are often not used correctly or they can fall off during intercourse and they may leak. With that said they also tend to be one of the best ways to help protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted disease. If you chose rubbers and condoms READ the directions and use them EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU HAVE SEX. Many people think that they only need to use condoms when a woman is ovulating this is not true. For condoms and rubbers to be an effective method of birth control they must be used correctly and diligently. If a condom breaks during intercourse and you want to do all that you can to prevent pregnancy you need to go to the pharmacy and get Plan B.

Plan B should not be used as a regular method of birth control. What Plan B does is hit your body with a large dose of hormones that will prevent pregnancy if taken in the first 48 hours after unprotected sex. In most states you can now get Plan B without a prescription. It may be behind the pharmacy counter. If you had unexpected unprotected sex or if the condom broke go and get Plan B do not be embarrassed. Almost everyone who is sexually active has unprotected unplanned sex at some point in their life. It happens. What you need to do now is to protect yourself. Plan B does NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases

Birth Control Pills: There are a number of birth control pills on the market. You need a prescription for these pills. The pills work by stopping ovulation and not allowing the uterine wall to build up to sustain a pregnancy. If you want to prevent pregnancy for a number of years birth control pills are a good option. They are very effective when used correctly and the side effects for most women are nominal. With that said there are some risks if you are over thirty-five or are a smoker or have a family history of blood clots. Talk to your doctor. The other benefit of birth control pills is that they can often help with some other issues like acne and cramps. Once again you must talk to your doctor and be honest. You must take the pills as prescribed and once you hit thirty-five you need to reassess if this is still the best method of birth control for you and your partner. Birth Control pills do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. You will continue to have your period when you are on birth control pills.

Nuevo Ring: this is a small ring you insert into your vagina. You have a ring in for three out of four weeks. The fourth week when there is no ring you have your period. The nuevo ring works like birth control pills it releases a dose of hormones that will prevent pregnancy. It has some of the same side effects as the birth control pill. For some people it is easier to have to only insert the ring when it needs to be changed and not to have to remember to take a pill everyday. When used correctly the nuevo ring has a high rate of success for preventing pregnancy. The nuevo ring does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

IUD: Intrauterine Device. This is a small piece of metal or plastic that is inserted into your uterus. There are no hormones involved. The IUD works by not allowing a fertilized egg to implant into your uterine wall. There were a number of issues with some IUD's a couple of decades ago however the PR fallout has been long and hard. With that said there have been major strides made in the development and use of IUD's talk to your doctor. You do not need to remember to take a daily pill and you are not exposed to hormones. IUD's do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Abortion: I do not consider abortion to be a form of birth control. I do support a woman's right to chose and I do believe there are times when abortion is the correct choice for a woman and her partner. With that said abortion does not prevent pregnancy it terminates a pregnancy so it is not really birth control. If you are using abortion as a form of birth control you need to ask yourself why you are allowing yourself to be put in situations where you are not having any respect for your health or your body. Go and see a counselor or therapist. While I 100% believe that at times abortion is necessary it should not be used by anyone as a primary means of birth control.

Tubal Ligation: Tubal Ligation is a surgical procedure. Your fallopian tubes are cut so that eggs cannot travel to the uterus and cannot be fertilized. Tubal Ligation is considered sterilization. This means that it is permanent. Often the surgery is done when a woman is giving birth and having a C-section. It is not easy or light surgery and should be considered serious. It will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases but if you and your partner are absolutely sure you are done having children this is a possibility. Once you tubes are tied getting pregnant is almost always impossible.

Vasectomy: Yes there is ONE type of birth control that hinges on a male and that is a vasectomy. This is an out patient procedures where the vas deferens are cut. This prevents sperm from being released during ejaculation. No sperm no babies. When a man has a vasectomy he has to go and provide a semen sample approximately six weeks after the procedure to ensure it worked. Recovery time is between two and three days and like tubal ligation vasectomies have a very high rate of success. Vasectomies do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Method Rhythm: I feel I have to mention this. The Rhythm method is when a woman tracks her cycle and then avoids having sex when she is ovulating. I do not believe this is a successful method of birth control and it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. For women who chose this method due to religious or health reasons read all you can and do all that you can to really track your cycle so that six weeks after a good romp the stick does not have a plus sign.

These are the most common methods of birth control. Now you have to decide which one is right for you and your partner. Here are some questions to ask.

1. Are you in a monogamous relationship? If you are not then you really need to be taking steps to not only prevent pregnancy but you must also take steps to prevent you physical and sexual health. In this case you may decide to be on the birth control pill and use a condom to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases unless you are POSITIVE absolutely POSITIVE that neither you nor your partner has a sexually transmitted disease.

2. Are you looking for a short term solution or a long term solution? If you are looking to prevent pregnancy for under five years birth control pills or the IUD might be a very good option for you and your partner. When used correctly they both have very high rates of success and they do not interfere with the process like what can happen with a condom. You need to make sure that you are healthy enough to be on birth control pills. This mean sharing your full medical history with your doctor. Avoiding cigarettes and excessive alcohol and alerting your doctor to any changes in your cycle or overall health.

3. Are you done having babies? Absolutely sure you are done? Then you and your partner may want to look at tubal ligation and/or a vasectomy. It is my opinion that if both partners are healthy and the woman does not have a c-section scheduled the choice should be a vasectomy. These are easier operations with less risk and less recovery time.

Whatever you decide please remember it is your decision. By taking control of your reproductive health and choices you are taking control of your life and your future and this is always positive for everyone involved.