Choosing The Best Birth Control Options
Birth control has never been as simple before as it is now, with the myriad birth control options available to us. However, there are some methods of birth control which will suit your individual situation better than others.
Today, in the 21st century, there are a lot of different birth control options. Unfortunately for women, the most modern and effective birth control options are almost all targeted towards females. Of course, there are plenty of older methods that are aimed at men as well. However, on the upside, these newer birth control methods all have fewer side effects than before, and many are very convenient.
The oldest and most tried and tested birth control option is the barrier contraceptive devide (although one could argue that abstinence is the most effective!) The most popular of these is still the condom. Condoms are a very simple concept that have been in use in one form or other since the time of the ancient Egyptians. There are also diaphragms, female condoms, and spermicidal foams that are sometimes used as well (although are usually used in conjunction with condoms, as it isn't shown to be highly effective on its own).
The problem with these contraceptive devices is that they all have a relatively high rate of failure, and are prone to misuse. If not used correctly, the rate of failure increases dramatically. Still, one or more of these methods used together can give a very low likelihood of pregnancy. More importantly, condoms also protective against many forms of sexually transmitted diseases (although not all!) and for this reason alone will probably remain popular for years to come (and really, should probably be used in conjunction with other forms of birth control).
With respect to avoiding pregnancy as the goal (as opposed to disease) the more modern and most effective birth control options involved the use of hormone based medications for women. By taking a low amount of estrogen and progesterone during the right time of the menstrual cycle, women effectively trick their bodies into thinking that they are already pregnant. They are then therefore no longer able to get pregnant while taking the hormone supplements. The most common of these is the contraceptive pill, but there are other hormonal methods such as implants and Depo Provera injections.
Because being pregnant is a totally natural and not unhealthy condition, these hormones are a birth control option that are generally not harmful; however they do have a number of side effects. The side effects vary from woman to woman, but can include weight gain, nausea, headaches, moodiness, and strange colored discharges. Most of these side effects are temporary and fade with continued use. Also, taking any of this form of birth control can increase your risk of heart disease, especially if you’re a smoker.
Hormone supplements are an extremely popular birth control option in industrialized countries. They are extremely effective, have a low margin for error, and are often even covered by health insurance. For most women, their consideration in choosing birth control usually involves which kind of hormone based medication to choose from. You can take pills, use patches, or get an occasional injection. There are even types of birth control options that involve place hormone diffusing devices within the body. Which birth control option is best for you is, of course, best discussed with your doctor.
