Methods of Contraception

Pros of Using the Birth Control Patch:

• The birth control patch will stay on through normal activities including bathing, swimming and sweating.
• There is nothing to take. Just adhere the patch and let the hormones do the rest.

Cons of the Birth Control Patch:

• The levels of estrogen in the patch put women at increased risk for side effects.
• The patch can come off if you use oils or lotion on or near it. At that point you are unprotected and need a new patch right away.
• The patch doesn’t protect against sexually-transmitted diseases.
• The cost can be expensive for a month’s supply (three patches).

For the woman constantly on the go with work or a busy social calendar, the patch means less worry about pregnancy. You can put it on and leave it be to do the job.

Condom Choices for Effective Birth Control

Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy. Some methods have the additional benefit of preventing sexually-transmitted diseases such as syphilis and HIV. They are called barrier methods of birth control. One popular barrier method is the condom.

The idea behind the condom is that it would provide a barrier between the egg and the sperm. If the two can’t get together, then they can’t make a baby.

Condoms have come a long way in the last 90 to 100 years. They have been made of rubber, animal skins and plastic. Some have been thick and some really thin. Their first job is to prevent pregnancy.

Condoms work by fitting over the male penis or into the female vagina. Female condoms are sold, but they haven’t taken off as well as the traditional male condom. Condoms that are the right size fit snuggly but leave room at the top for ejaculated semen. Female condoms fit in the vagina using two rings to secure it.

Animal skin condoms aren’t used much anymore. It was usually sheepskin condoms that were sold. Just like your skin, sheepskin had tiny pores in it. These pores were large enough for certain diseases to be transmitted from one partner to the other. If you are concerned with other issues besides pregnancy (most of us are) animal skin condoms are a definite no-no.

Latex condoms compose the majority of condom brands. They have no tiny pores and have a percent pregnancy prevention rate in the mid-80s. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to natural rubber latex. When you think of latex allergy you see gloves being a problem but using a latex condom causes its share of irritation and rashes down below. Companies created a polyurethane, or plastic, condom for those with latex allergies.

Pros of Condoms:

• Condoms are a barrier 85 percent of the time against pregnancy. That percentage increases when using condoms that contain a spermicidal ingredient such as nonoxynol-9.
• Condoms also protect against sexually-transmitted diseases if using latex or plastic varieties.
• Condom manufacturers have created a line of condoms that are designed to combat the complaint of decreased sensitivity. Users can choose from extra sensitive, warming condoms, colorful condoms (including glow-in-the-dark), ribbed and even flavored condoms.
• Condoms are cheap and can be picked up for free from most health departments.

Cons of Condoms:

• Female condoms can cause vaginal irritation from the rings.
• Condoms only work if you use them and use them properly. A poorly fitting one can malfunction as can one that is out of date.
• Can cool the mood as they are being put on. Also, putting them on in the dark can lead to poor placement and possible pregnancy.

Condoms are a favored method of birth control because they do double duty. With the new features for condoms it is easier to work them into your sexual experiences and therefore make sure they get used each and every time.

As our society becomes more sexually open we need to educate ourselves on various methods of contraception and std prevention in order to be able to use the knowledge to keep ourselves safe.