Contraception / Birth Control

What is birth control?

Birth control refers to any activity, medication, or equipment used to prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control available for women who do not wish to become pregnant. The decision on which method is right for you should be made with your physician, as well as with your partner.

What are the different types of birth control?

Some methods that do not require a prescription from your physician include:

• abstinence
• spermicides
• male condoms
• female condoms

Some methods that require a visit to your physician for an examination and a prescription are:

• oral contraceptives
  birth control pills
  
  
• Norplant
  capsules containing a the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel, implanted under the skin in the upper arm of a woman, which continuously prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg
  
  
• Depo-Provera
  a drug, given by injection, to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation
  
  
• diaphragm or cervical cap
  a dome-shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim that is inserted through the vagina to cover the cervix
  
  
• interuterine device (IUD)
  devices placed in the uterus through the cervix by a physician

Surgery that results in the inability to become pregnant includes:

• hysterectomy
• tubal ligation or tubal occlusion ("tying the tubes")
• vasectomy

Methods that have been suggested as preventive, but may actually present a high-risk for pregnancy include:

• withdrawal before ejaculation
• rhythm - participating in sexual intercourse only on certain "safe" days
• sexual intercourse during menstruation
• standing up immediately after sexual intercourse
• douching after sexual intercourse
• taking no precautions at all