Birth Control

Which type of birth control meets my needs?

To prevent an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, couples should consider their options for birth control. While there are many choices of birth control, not all options will be appropriate for everyone.

CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS

*The pill is one of the most common types of birth control for women. When the pill is taken correctly, it is more than 99% effective at preventing an unplanned pregnancy. Oral contraceptives have two hormones-estrogen and progestin. These hormones do not allow your body to ovulate. The pill is easy to use and does not interfere at all with your sex drive. The pill is also taken to make menstrual cycles more regular and less painful. If you are breastfeeding, you can not take oral contraceptive pills. Ask your doctor if the pill is suitable for your birth control needs.

VAGINAL RING

*The vaginal ring is a newer form of birth control and is 98-99% effective when used as prescribed. The ring does release hormones into the body once it is inserted into the vagina. The ring is actually a bendable plastic ring that is about 2 inches in diameter. One new ring is inserted into the vagina, where it will stay for three weeks. At the end of three weeks, the ring is removed and your menstrual cycle will begin. Because you do not have to remember to take a pill each day, the ring can be a convenient choice for birth control. To get the ring, a doctor must write you a prescription.

CONDOMS

*There are both male and female condoms available on the market. When condoms are used correctly, they are 97% effective in preventing an unplanned pregnancy. The male condom is placed over the penis and prevents semen from entering the vagina during ejaculation. Condoms are meant to be used one time only and discarded after use.

DIAPHRAGM

*Diaphragms are dome-shaped disks that are inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse. The diaphragm will have to be fitted by your doctor initially and can only be received with a prescription. In order for the diaphragm to be effective, it must be inserted atleast 6 hours before sexual intercourse occurs and no longer than 24 hours afterwards. If the diaphragm is used correctly, it is 92-96% effective. The diaphragm should be used with a spermicide to kill any sperm.

CERVICAL CAP

*A cervical cap is a rubber cup that has a round rim and is positioned around the cervix. Cervical caps are smaller than diaphragms and they have to be fitted by a doctor before using initially. The cervical cap does not allow sperm to enter the uterus and can be placed into the vagina at any time before sexual intercourse has begun. Spermicide is necessary when using the cervical cap and the failure rate is fairly high. Approximately ten out of every one hundred women will become pregnant while using the cervical cap.

IUD

*An IUD, intrauterine device, is a birth control method that is placed into the uterus by a doctor. There is a copper wire on the IUD that causes the atmosphere in the uterus to change. The changes do not allow the sperm to fertilize eggs. IUD's can remain in palce for 5 years. The IUD is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. Some women may experience more painful periods and the chances of getting pelvic inflammatory disease is higher with the use of an IUD. For women that are breastfeeding, an IUD is optimal.

Comments: Birth Control

Comments 101 to 118 of about 118.
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lizgriff - 368 days ago.
annett- I have had mirena in for 6 months and I haven't had a problem yet.

annette - 368 days ago.
wat r the chances of fallin preg with a mirena in?? im relly worried

MommaLou - 371 days ago.
I don't know about the copper iud, but i just recently got the mirena wich is the plastic 5 year one. So far I love it. No breakouts or weight gain. It came hughly recomended to me by a friend who has had it for over 2 years. Hope that helps!

Heather12 - 371 days ago.
What are some of the side affects of the Copper IUD? Anyone know if it causes your skin to break out?

mama-to-be09 - 372 days ago.
is anyone on the depo shot? or has been ? i am ... and want to know how u guys felt on it... i hate it... i think i may b pregnant & if im not then its the shot making my body really wild as of these past few days...... this is first & last time on the shot

ABCsMommy - 374 days ago.
Anyone take the mini pill while BF and not get AF? Having a nervous breakdown over here as I am due to start my second pack of pills tomorrow and no AF this week? I am BF 3 month old TWINS!!HHHHHHEEEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPP!! LOL!

SabrinaK - 374 days ago.
Hey ladies! I have had the mirena now for 5 months. I posted before that I haven't had to much trouble with the mirene but have been having problems with nausea, hotflashes and headaches and some moodswings. Well now the moodswings are much worse. I can barely stand myself and don't feel like myself at all as well as nausea, which is now quite severe! Still have the hotflashes and really bad headaches too. I also cramp horribly after intercourse and spot and I experience joint pains. I never spotted on the mirena or had a period except for after sex. Before I could handle some of these things but now that these things have become much worse, I am having it removed wednesday. I should have researched this better. I felt that this was a good option for me but when I searched online about it i just put in mirena and there were hardly any complaints but if you put in mirena and moodswings it brings up all sorts of things. On almost every page I read these women were having the same symptoms as me. I was really hoping this would work for me bc I don't want another baby for 2 more years and didn't want to become accidentally pregnant on the pill or something. I am also limited to the kinds of birthcontrol I can use bc I am still nursing and can't do the depo bc in me it causes severe depression so now I have to discuss more options with my dr....

natalie75 - 374 days ago.
I had the Mirena inserted in August and started haveing my periods for 3 weeks our of 4 losing my hair my hair feels like straw and I am gaining weight and do not have a sex drive to name a few. It took a few visits to the doctors to finally have him say that is was the Mirena I has it taken out yesterday and today I am starting to have bald spots about the size of a nickel. Has anyone else had this problems.

heathert - 376 days ago.
Has anyone taken Seasonal? How did it work for you? After the 3 month pack did you have your period?

jsweetcharmz - 376 days ago.
Well after doing my research at the last minute I may be planning for another baby pretty soon. I went to the doctor yesterday and I asked him for birth control pills (It's the same one on the picture above) I took one as soon as I got home. In the mix of trying to read about the pill my man got HOT and we had sex w/o a jimmy cap. I looked @ the calender for when I'm suppose to ovulate and it's next week. I know there is no way the pill will work in one day but I'm still taking them. I wonder if I keep taking the pills will it affect the results of a pregnancy test.

Avryls mommy - 377 days ago.
The paragurad is awesome..get it.

elibabi - 377 days ago.
just wanted to share this site...there has been a Nuva Ring lawsuit. http://www.nuvaringsideeffects.com/

rooey - 378 days ago.
Hello Ladies Has anyone on here used Yasmin, the uk version! I know there are two types, I was on the type that is packaged in an orange and cream box. Thank You

luvbeingamom - 379 days ago.
My docs always said i should give birth control pills a full month before 'counting' on them! Don't know about switching types though.

makailasmommy - 379 days ago.
HOW LONG BEFORE THE MINI PILL IS EFFECTIVE AND THEN IF YOU SWITCH PILLS HOW LONG BEFORE THE NEW PACK IS EFFECTIVE?

anxioustimes - 379 days ago.
I have the mirena and don't feel that but everyone is different I am just still bleeding/spotting and it has been 5 weeks they say that will happen up to 8 weeks but I didn't know the hormone stuff was in my milk!!! WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THIS??? I am going to google it! LOL

2babys-under2 - 379 days ago.
I was just prescribed to nuvaring. And I was wondering if anyone experienced any negative side effects from it?

newyearpresent - 386 days ago.
I just got Mirena, sorry for TMI, but did anyone experience horrible pain while urinating? Feels worse than UTI. Also, I regret getting Mirena since the hormones can be transferred to the baby through breast milk. I think I will take it out and have it re-inserted once I am done breastfeeding. If anyone went through similar experience, please drop me a note. My gyno must think I am nuts!