A Guide to Contraception
If you are looking for a guide to contraception, then you have come to the right place. It can be difficult to decide which method to choose, but the right information can help you make the best decision for you.
Types of Pills
The hormones in birth control pills prevent ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovary, in order to prevent pregnancy. Some birth control medications also momentarily alter the uterine lining, decreasing the likelihood that a fertilized egg will implant.
Birth control pills are packaged in packs that typically contain one pill every day for a 28-day cycle. Depending on the pill, you take a birth control pill every day at roughly the same time. This keeps some hormone levels high, decreasing your chances of getting pregnant.
Your choice of birth control is a personal one, and there are many different methods available. You might think about using contraceptives if you’re a sexually active individual who has the potential to get pregnant.
Combination medications include synthetic versions of the hormones progesterone and estrogen (called progestin in its synthetic form). The menstrual cycle is controlled by estrogen. The middle of your cycle is when your estrogen levels are naturally highest, and your period is when they are at their lowest. After ovulation, progesterone causes the endometrium to thicken, preparing the uterus for pregnancy. Ovulation is also prevented by high progesterone levels.
Progestin (synthetic progesterone) is the only hormone present in progestin-only tablets. The minipill is another name for this kind of pill. Taking just progestin-containing tablets can help women with heavy periods stop bleeding. They may be a viable option for those who are unable to take estrogen due to medical conditions or other factors, such as deep vein thrombosis, a history of stroke, migraines with aura, heart disease, or peripheral vascular disease.
Effectiveness
Birth control tablets can effectively prevent pregnancy when used as directed. With usual use, the failure rates for both the combination pill Trusted Source and the progestin-only tablet are 9%. Accordingly, 9 of every 100 people taking the pill would become pregnant.
Progestin pills must be taken within the same 3-hour window each day in order to be fully effective. If you forget to take your pill during this window, do so right away and for the next two days, use another method of birth control, such as a condom.
Combination tablets offer a little bit more latitude. Ideally, you should take combination medications at the same time every day, but you can take them any time during the same 12-hour period and still be protected.
How to Get Birth Control
Birth control pills are now more accessible than ever due to the rising demand for contraceptive methods.
You can choose to see a doctor in person by making a regular appointment. Your doctor will write you a prescription, which you may fill at your neighborhood pharmacy, after going over your medical history and talking about your family planning objectives. Additionally, there are a number of options to order birth control pills online without going to the doctor in person.
Telehealth services like Nurx, Lemonaid, SimpleHealth, and The Pill Club provide online consultations with licensed doctors and healthcare professionals who review your medical history and then write a prescription for suggested birth control. Some of these consultations take place via video, while others take place via messaging or a medical questionnaire. Once the prescription is filled, the birth control pills are shipped directly to your home.
Other Forms of Contraception
The traditional pull-out approach is by far one of the least effective forms of birth control, despite the fact that it could seem alluring to do so. You ought to have faith that it will be effective for you. However, with a typical-use failure rate of 22%, you can be sure that it won’t. Fortunately, there are numerous alternative “use as needed” possibilities. Some of these are available in your neighborhood medical facility without charge.
Internal condoms are polyurethane pouches that can be worn inside the vagina and are devoid of latex and hormones. They also significantly reduce the risk of getting pregnant and spreading STIs. Win-win.
The rubber is a traditional method of birth control. During sexual activity, an external condom is worn to tightly cover the penis and catch any fluid that may leak from it, including pre-ejaculate, come, and semen.
The contraceptive sponge is a soft, spermicide-soaked plastic disk made without latex. You insert it deep within the vagina, covering the cervix and preventing sperm from reaching the uterus, killing them if they try.
A diaphragm is a soft, silicone disk that is used as a reusable birth control method on a prescription. It is soaked in spermicide before being inserted into the vagina, where it serves as the cervix’s bodyguard—or baby guard—and prevents sperm from entering.
Resources Available
Several methods are available, including hormonal and barrier. These methods are reversible and effective and are easy to use. However, they are not always 100 percent effective. You must also make sure that you take other steps to reduce your chances of getting pregnant.
If you are interested in finding out more about contraception, you should consult with a doctor. You can visit the Student Health Services clinic on your campus to get information on different methods. They offer a range of services, including treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and gynecologic examinations. Students can also call to set up an appointment.
Additionally, Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization that provides a range of family planning services. Its mission is to provide reproductive health care to women and men in the United States. In addition to assisting individuals in achieving their sexual health goals, the organization also provides education, prevention, and treatment of disease and other health issues. Many of the clinics provide free or low-cost services to students.
Understanding Contraception
Contraceptive counseling is one of the key components of reproductive health. It should be made available to all patients who are planning an abortion, or who have undergone an abortion procedure. Ideally, clinicians should offer all contraceptive methods. However, your right to refuse care should be respected. A patient-centered approach may be beneficial in providing her with personalized, interactive counseling.
Using interactive counseling, a clinician should give you a chance to express your priorities. Moreover, you can explain your preferences for the types of contraceptives you prefer, as well as her concerns. When you are given a choice, you are able to make the best decision. Although contraceptive methods are effective, they can only be successful if they are provided by the patient in a safe manner.
Not every type of contraception is a good fit for every person. Talk with your doctor about which option would work best for you!
