Birth Control Options

There are many birth control options that a person can use, but it is suggested that he or she studies well the advantages and disadvantages that these choices offer. Perhaps a deeper understanding of each of your birth control options will greatly help. The following discusses the advantages and disadvantages of other birth control methods available for women.

1. Understanding the Birth Control Ring - this is more commonly known as the NuvaRing, or a small and flexible ring inserted into a woman's vagina that is left for three weeks while taken out on the fourth week. Similar to other birth control options, it releases synthetic estrogen and progestin that helps prevent the release of an egg and thickens the cervical mucus so as not to allow the sperm to mate with the egg. This is up to 99 percent effective and has been used by several women who rely on contraceptives methods.

• Advantages: A woman only has to do the insertion once every 3 weeks which makes it convenient to use.

• Disadvantages: it tends to increase vaginal discharge and may cause vaginal infections. This option is appropriate only for those who do not smoke and it should not be used with other vaginal contraceptives. Also, this is not appropriate for women who are not comfortable with vaginal insertions.

2. Intrauterine Device - this is a small piece of plastic wrapped around with copper placed inside a woman's uterus by a doctor. IUDs (for example, the IUD) should be placed by a doctor and not by individuals who do not have significant knowledge in this field. This device prevents a man's sperm from mating with an egg and when it does, the device prevents it to be implanted inside the uterus, thus preventing fertilization.

• Advantages: A big advantage of this is that a woman, once implanted with an IUD, does not have to worry of pregnancy for several years (maximum of five years). Some IUDs even last for up to 12 years. It is safe, discrete, and over the past years it has been considered one of the best birth control options since a woman only has to purchase one every five or so years. Also, it can be used as an emergency contraception and is effective after 7 days of unprotected sex.

• Disadvantages: it does not protect women from sexually transmitted diseases and this method may cause a woman to be uncomfortable with a foreign object inserted deep into her vagina.

3. Emergency Contraception - this contraception is also called the morning after pill. This is used when a woman had sex without any protection. The EC or the emergency contraception pill is designed to avoid unwanted pregnancy right after an unprotected sex. This pill can reduce if not totally prevent a pregnancy if a woman started taking it right after the sexual intercourse, or the day after the intercourse not exceeding 72 hours. It has to be noted that the sooner a woman takes the emergency contraception pill, the more effective it will be.

If you feel that deciding on a birth control options is difficult, visit your doctor for some suggestions.