Understanding Contraception: Your Birth Control Choices
Concentrating solely on contraception, this website features articles, advice, resources and invaluable information about all aspects of birth control and family planning. With birth control, as with so many other personal matters, there is no single option that works best for everyone. From reversible methods to permanent types of birth control, and with accurate discussions about the most effective and the most affordable contraceptive methods, this site can be of great assistance in finding the best method for you.
(PRWEB) March 13, 2005 -- If a woman is active sexually and she is fertile
(able to become pregnant) she needs to ask herself, "Do I want to become
pregnant now?" If the answer is "No," she must use some form of contraception
(birth control). Sexually active people have a wide variety of methods which may
be used to reduce the possibility of pregnancy. The government estimates that
there are 3.6 million unplanned pregnancies each year in the United States.
Approximately half of these pregnancies occurred because the couple did not use
any birth control, and the other half happened because the couple used birth
control incorrectly.
For reliable, current, and helpful information
about all aspects of birth control and family planning visit http://www.birthcontrolhelp.com
Birth control methods
are classified as to how fertility is reduced. There are behavioral methods,
barrier methods, mechanical methods hormonal methods, and emergency
contraception. Behavioral methods require no use of prescription or
over-the-counter drugs. One behavioral method--abstinence--requires strong
self-discipline. It means refraining from all sexual relations. Another
behavioral method--periodic abstinence (sometimes called fertility
awareness)--relies on physical signs within a woman related to her hormonal
changes to prevent pregnancy. A woman avoids intercourse on those days on which
she is most fertile.
Barrier methods provide a physical barrier between
the sperm and the egg. These methods are most successful when used during each
sexual encounter and include: male condoms, female condoms, diaphragms and
cervical caps and a contraceptive sponge. Since most barrier methods are
available over the counter at many stores, they are easy to purchase and
relatively inexpensive.
Mechanical methods, such as intrauterine devices
(IUDs) are 99% effective at preventing pregnancies and can last for up to a
dozen years. It is a small object that is inserted through the cervix and placed
in the uterus during a visit to a doctor's office or clinic. An IUD may be
removed at any time and the procedure is quicker and easier than the insertion.
Fertility is usually restored quite quickly once the IUD has been removed.
Hormonal birth control methods use female hormones to prevent ovulation
(egg production) or to thicken the natural mucus inside the cervix making it
difficult for the sperm to travel through the cervical canal to reach the
uterus. Such methods include--The Pill, the skin patch, injectable
hormones,
vaginal rings, and implants (like Norplant).
Emergency Contraception is
birth control that is given shortly after, rather than before, sexual
intercourse. It is used when other forms of birth control were not used, used
improperly, or used correctly but failed (broken condom), and a pregnancy is not
wanted. Mistakenly referred to as the "Morning After Pill," it is not the same
as an abortion pill used in Europe. It is actually a series of two pills taken
12 hours apart and within 72 hours of sexual activity.
For a doctor's
office full of useful information and countless resources devoted to the topic
of birth control visit http://www.birthcontrolhelp.com For answers to your questions
and for guidance in choosing the birth control method that is best for you,
please take a few minutes to browse this site.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb217639.htm