Birth+Control+Methods

Andrew D. Suddreth Birth Control Methods Birth Control, also referred to as contraception, is any practice, method, or device that is used by a sexually active woman to prevent pregnancy. Birth Control methods are designed to prevent fertilization of an egg or implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus (“Definition of Birth,” 2005). There are several different techniques or methods used to prevent fertilization of an egg or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. The most commonly used methods include Hormonal Methods, Barrier Methods, Intrauterine Devices (IUDs), Natural Family Planning, Sterilization, and Emergency Contraception.
 * Birth Control **

The first methods of birth control were condoms created from fish bladders, linen sheaths, and animal intestines. Later in 1500's the first spermicides were introduced and in 1983 the first rubber condoms and diaphragms were created. Moving into the 20th century, Margaret Sanger played a huge role in the advancement of birth control rights when she opened the first birth control clinic in the United States in 1916. Sanger continued her work in the 1950’s when she underwrote the research needed in order to create the first oral contraceptive pill. The pill was called Envid and was manufactured in the 1960’s along with the first Intrauterine devices, also called IUDs. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s hormonal birth control methods continued to expand classifying implanted IUD devices and injectable shots as hormonal methods. In 1992 Emergency Contraception methods became more widely available due to a public awareness campaign. Currently, there has been a rapid expansion in the availability of different birth control methods and vast improvements in the safety and effectiveness of these methods (“A brief history,” 2005). The start of the 21st century has also seen advancements in birth control methods. Between 2000 and 2002 the FDA approved the Ortho Evra, a birth control patch, the Nuva Ring, Lunelle, and Mirena. In 2003 the first continuous birth control pill, Seasonale, was approved giving women the option of only having four menstrual periods a year (DeNoon, 2003).
 * Birth Control History **

Hormonal Methods of birth control are any methods that involve the use of the hormones estrogen and progestin. __Combination hormonal methods__ are those methods in which both estrogen and progestin are used to change the natural level of the hormones in the body in order to prevent ovulation (Storck, 2010). __Progestin-only hormonal methods__ only involve the use of progestin to change the consistency of the vaginas natural secretion making it hard for sperm to reach the egg (“Hormonal contraceptives,”). Advantages of hormonal methods include reduced acne, reduced pain during ovulation, reduced premenstrual symptoms, and reduced cramping and heavy bleeding (“Birth Control-Birth,” 2008). Nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, irregular menstruation, breast swelling, decreased libido, weight gain, mood swings, anxiety, depression, headaches, and high blood pressure are all common side effects involved with the use of hormonal birth control methods, however different techniques can also cause different symptoms (“Birth control methods,” 2009). When deciding which type of hormonal method one should use, a doctor needs to be seen and a prescription is needed to make sure that the proper amount of hormones are being administered. Some of the most common techniques used are: __Birth control pills__- There are over thirty different kinds of birth controls available today (emedicinehealth.com). Pills can come with either estrogen and progestin or just progestin. Birth control pills are to be taken daily through the mouth and aim to either prevent ovulation or mimic the natural menstrual cycle in the female bod. Pills are highly effective and about 1 out of every 100 women using this method receives a pregnancy (Storck, 2010 ). __Ortho Evra skin patch__- The Ortho Evra skin patch is a patch that is placed on the skin and continually releases estrogen and progestin. Skins patches need to be replaced each week for three weeks and also have an off week in which menstruation occurs. The skin patch is very effective with only about 1 in every 100 women using it becoming pregnant (“Patch,” 2011). A skin patch does require a visit to a health care provider for a prescription. __Vaginal Ring__- The Nuva Ring is the most commonly used vaginal ring. A vaginal ring is a small flexible ring that is inserted into a women’s vagina to prevent pregnancy. The Nuva Ring works similarly to birth control pills releasing the same hormones and having the same effects on the body. Vaginal rings are to be replaced each week for 3 weeks with an off week at the end of every month. Vaginal ring are highly effective with 1 in every 100 women using them becoming pregnant each year (“Birth control vaginal,”). __Shot__- The Depo-Provera shot is a progestin injection administered to prevent ovulation. The shot is to be given by a doctor every three months in either the arm or the buttocks (“Depo-provera,” 2011).
 * Hormonal Methods **

Barrier Methods of birth control are the easiest and most common methods of birth control. Barrier methods involve any technique in which a barrier is created over the cervix to stop sperms path to the uterus. Barrier methods are highly effective and produce minimal side effects. The most common barrier methods include __diaphragms, cervical caps, male and female condoms, and the contraceptive sponge__. The contraceptive sponge is a so ft saucer shaped device made from polyurethane foam. The sponge is designed to fit over the cervix and block sperm from the uterus. The sponge also contains spermicide which kills the semen. The sponge has a 1 in 10 failure rate and can cause toxic shock syndrome in some women (“Contraceptive sponge,”2003). All of these methods can decrease the risk of pregnancy if used properly and if spermicide is applied.
 * Barrier Method **

Intrauterine Devices, also known as IUDs, are a small T-shaped device placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are designed to prevent sperm from joining with the egg and when fertilization does occur, prevent the egg from attaching to the uterus by changing the lining of the uterus (“Familydoctor.org editorial staff,” 2010). Intrauterine Devices come two different forms. There are __Copper IUDs__ which release a small amount of copper into the uterus called Para Gard and there are __Hormonal IUDs__ which act like many of the hormonal methods and release progestin into the uterus to prevent ovulation from occurring (“Birth control methods,” 2009). IUDs are placed by a professional doctor and can last from 5-12 years. Advantages of IUDs include their effectiveness, low cost, convince, ability to work right away, low risk of side effects, and the ability to breastfeed safely while using. Some disadvantages include bleeding and pain for a few weeks after insertion, heavier periods, and cramps and back aches for the first few hours (“Familydoctor.org editorial staff,” 2010).
 * Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) **

Natural Family planning method is any variety of methods used to plan or prevent pregnancy by allowing a woman to identify the days that she is fertile. Natural Family planning methods are highly effective because they allow women to keep track of the days she is fertile and participate in safe sex when the chances of fertilization are highest (“Natural family planning,”).
 * Natural Family Planning **

Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control that a man or a woman chooses to have done in order to permanently prevent pregnancy. Woman can choose between __Tubal Ligation__ or receiving an __Implant__. During Tubal Ligation a woman has her fallopian tubes either tied or clamped to prevent the passage of eggs through the tubes preventing fertilization. Woman can undergo a postpartum minilaporotomy in which a small incision is made near the naval right after a women gives childbirth. They can also undergo internal tubal sterilization in which small instruments are inserted into a women’s abdomen and is called laparoscopic surgery. Fallopian tubes can also be blocked with fallopian rings, clips, bands, or suture ligation. Advantages of tubal ligation are that it is permanent, no hormones are used, and it does not take away from libido, menstrual cycles, or the ability to breastfeed safely. Another method of permanent sterilization for women is the use of an implant. A small metal implant is placed into the fallopian tubes by a doctor with a catheter that is inserted through the vagina into the uterus. Scare tissue begins to form over the implant which causes blocking in the tubes preventing fertilization. The implant takes about 3 months to work most effectively and until then other forms of birth control are needed to prevent pregnancy. In order for men to become sterile they have to undergo an operation called a __Vasectomy.__ A vasectomy consists of a small cut in the scrotal sac either cutting or burning the vas deferens blocking the passage of sperm into seminal fluid. This is usually done under a minor anesthetic and is an outpatient setting. For all of these methods of sterilization failure rates are very low. Once a procedure is complete it is permanent, however there are some procedures that can reverse these effects but are very hard to do so (Samara, 2005).
 * Sterilization **

Emergency Contraception is a birth control method that is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse has already occurred. Commonly known as the morning after pill, emergency birth control, Plan B one step, Ella, and Next Choice, the pill can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex. The pill works similarly to birth control in that it is made of progestin and keeps a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs and thickening the cervical mucus. Emergency Contraceptives reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89%. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, dizziness, and headaches. Emergency contraceptives can be found at drug stores and health stores and requires users to be 17 or older to purchase (“Morning-after pill,”).
 * Emergency Contraception **

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