Contraception

Contraception

PREVENTING PREGNANCY

As you may have learned by this point in life… sex makes babies. Abstinence, or not having sex remains the only action a woman can take to ensure with 100% certainty that she doesn’t get pregnant. Today we have many reliable methods of birth control. Some even boast 99% effectiveness, but sex will always carry with it the possibility of pregnancy. If you are choosing to have sex, but don’t want to get pregnant then you will have to make some choices about your options.

CONTRACEPTIVE OPTIONS

The family planning and withdrawal methods are best for a woman who isn’t trying to get pregnant but would not be disappointed if it happened. Almost 1 out of 4 women will get pregnant over the course of a year using these methods.

The Family Planning method requires having a very regular menstrual cycle and awareness of the different stages of your cycle. Women have to be willing to pay close attention to their bodies, which includes checking their temperature every morning. Then they must avoid sex during the most fertile days of their menstrual cycle and hope that nothing throws it off. Some women are very successful at this, but a lot depends on the timing of ovulation which we can monitor the signs of, but cannot control.

The withdrawal or Pull Out Method is the least effective means of preventing pregnancy. If a male partner is able to maintain enough self-control to achieve this, it would certainly reduce the amount of sperm, but it does not account for the sperm present prior to ejaculation. Remember it only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg. Not to mention, failure rates of follow-through with this method are very high!

Although diaphragms are still around and there are even some new options on the market, male condoms remain the most commonly used barrier method. Condoms are moderately effective at preventing pregnancy, when used correctly, and they are the only contraceptive method with the added benefit of some STD protection.

Of course condoms are not perfect, nor are they always perfectly used. It is important to put the condom on correctly, be aware of storage conditions, expiration dates, and avoid petroleum based lubrication. These factors can increase the risk of a condom malfunction. The most important thing is to use condoms every time for the whole time. When they aren’t used, they don’t work at all.

There is a wide variety of hormonal contraception options. The primary way that these hormone methods work is by preventing ovulation or the release of an egg, and without an egg, there can’t be a baby. In addition to preventing ovulation, these hormones have an impact on the cervix which decreases the motility (or movement) of sperm. Finally, they cause the lining of the uterus to thin, which could reduce implantation success if the other two methods fail.

The most common type of short acting contraception is birth control pills. Between brand name and generic options there are over 200 choices. Often the choice is based on what secondary benefits a person would want such as acne control, controlling heavy menstrual bleeding, or desire for a quarterly cycle. Birth control pills require discipline. They must be taken every day at the same time for maximum effectiveness.

The other types of short acting methods have the same effect of preventing pregnancy, but vary in how often they are delivered. The patch is applied to the skin once per week, the nuva ring is inserted in the vagina once per month, and the Depo Provera injection is administered once every three months. Although the dosing time frame is different, just like the daily birth control pills, it is critical to not be late with any of these methods, or you might risk a breakthrough ovulation and pregnancy.

Anyone who is a risk for blood clots, migraine headaches, and some other health conditions, might not be able to use these hormonal methods.

Long acting reversible contraception (or LARC) methods, such as the implant and intrauterine devices (or IUD’s), are very effective. Although they use different hormones, they still primarily work by preventing ovulation. The reason that they are more effective, is that the hormone is released automatically and doses can’t be missed or delayed.

Implants are placed under the skin in the arm and prevent pregnancy for 3 years. IUD’s containing hormones are inserted into the cavity of the uterus and can last for 3 years or 5 years, depending on which you choose. Once the time frame is reached, the device will need to be removed and/or replaced by your doctor. These devices can easily be removed prior to the expiration time frame if you decide you want to change methods or you are ready to pursue pregnancy.

There is a non-hormonal IUD that lasts 10 years. However, this method does not prevent ovulation. It primarily works by making the uterus a hostile environment for any egg that gets fertilized, making it impossible to implant or grow. This means by definition that it is an “abortifacient”, or can end pregnancy that has already begun instead of just preventing it.

Permanent sterilization or tubal ligation is a good option for women who have had children and are absolutely certain that they don’t want to ever be pregnant again. This is a surgical procedure that is often performed after delivery in the hospital. Because this method is not reversible, physicians typically will not consent to permanently sterilizing any woman who is young and who does not have any children. The alternative permanent option is vasectomy for a male partner. The procedure is a little simpler and is a good option for a committed couple who is done having children. Obviously, women would remain able to get pregnant if they change partners.

MAKING YOUR DECISION

There are many options for preventing pregnancy. Choosing the best method is a very individualized process, so please talk with your provider about your contraceptive options and make the decision that is best for you. Hope Resource Center does not provide contraception, but can answer your questions, and connect you to a licensed prescribing provider that will help you make and implement a personalized plan for pregnancy prevention.

Call 865-525-4673 to request a cost-free appointment at Hope Resource Center today.