When growing up into adulthood for the first time, one of the most important things we have to consider as a woman is birth control. Adulthood has a lot of trials and tribulations to contend with, but an unexpected pregnancy is high on the list of things to avoid and control. Sex is seen differently nowadays, there is a lot more openness surrounding it with people casually dating more as well as going on hook-up apps to “meet and fuck tonight“, for example. No matter what your dating/relationship style is, being safe is essential.
Birth control comes in many forms and it can provide you with the ability to control your pregnancy and make sure you only have a child when you are ready. Today we are going to take a look at the most common birth control methods and how they work.
Diaphragms
The first method of birth control we are going to take a look at is a diaphragm. This is a simple cap which is placed inside the woman and will block the entry of sperm into the womb and through to the Fallopian tubes. It is a simple method of birth control however if the cap slips during sex it may not be 100% effective.
Pills
The most common form of contraception of all time is the pill. The reason why this is such a widely used method is that it is easy to access for young woman and is also something which can be taken every day without any procedures being carried out. There are several different types of pill such as one which is taken every day, and one which is taken 3 weeks in a month before breaking to allow a period. There are many options and you can speak to your nurse about which one you think will work for you.
Condoms
Everyone knows what a condom is, and unfortunately it is one of the only methods of contraception which can be carried out by a man. They can also have a vasectomy, and in fact vasectomy recovery only takes 24 hours and is pretty much 100% effective. Condoms really should be used as a secondary form of contraception with another form, because they are not always effective and carry risks.
Implant
The next method of contraception is a helpful method which can be used once and lasts for 3-5 years. An implant is a small rod filled with hormones, and this is placed underneath the skin in your arm in order to slowly release chemicals over the course of a few years to prevent pregnancy. It is an effective method up to 99% however can come with a few side effects such as weight gain or irregular periods. The procedure is simple and involves the doctor injecting the arm with local anaesthetic before inserting the rod into the arm with a tubular needle. You will have a circular hole and bruising for a few days but it will heal pretty quickly.
Injection
If the idea of an implant isn’t for you, but you like the idea of my having to remember a pill each day, there is another option which meets in the middle. The contraceptive injection is a handy middle ground between the two because it is not very invasive, but it lasts for around 3 months at a time so you will only have to head out for a top up every few months to the doctor’s. It is a useful one for students or young people who don’t want to have pills lying around the house or don’t want to have to go through the surgery.
Patches
Most of us are aware of what a nicotine patch is and what it can do, and this is something which can also be applied to contraceptives. When it comes to patches, they release hormones in the same way any other contraception would do, but instead of being inside the body it is outside. It isn’t the most effective of all, however it can be a great choice for younger women who need to keep their habits discreet.
Female condoms
You may vaguely remember from a sex education class in your school years that there is such a thing as a female condom. This is similar to a Male condom only inversed, and is inserted into the vagina to catch ejaculate. It is a method which is not the most widely used, but it can be pretty effective if it is used correctly.
IUD
A contraceptive coil is a handy little tool which is inserted into the womb and will stop you from becoming pregnant. It is a small t shaped device made of copper and releases hormones into the womb. This is a device which can last for 5-10 years in the body and this means that it is a useful tool to utilise this year. This method of contraception is used more often with older women who want to stop having children full stop. It can be a dry helpful way to soothe the symptoms of menopause too.
Hysterectomy
This is a procedure which is permanent and should only be carried out if you are sure you never want a child or any more children. It is more popular in older women who have had a family already and want to negate the risk of having more babies, and it can actually be a useful surgery. The only thing with this is that because of the extreme nature of the operation, the recovery time can be vast and there are a few risks involved. However, once it is done you never have to think about becoming pregnant again.
There are so many useful methods of contraception which you can use as a young woman or an older one, and there are benefits to using each and every one of these. It is important for you to be smart with your choices and take the time to research every single option before finding the right one for you. Make sure to seek advice from family and friends, ask your doctor, and talk to your partner and discuss what would be the best option for the two of you.
This is a collaborative post.
