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Which Form Of Birth Control Is For Me?

Birth Control Information

There are many different birth control methods to choose from. Depending on lifestyle, amount of sexual activity, etc. each person has to determine which form of birth control is right for them. There are several categories of Contraceptives; hormonal, barrier, spermicidal, and intrauterine. We have provided a chart that we think will be helpful to our visitors at this site;

Method	How it is used	Ease of Availability/cost	Percentage Rate (1)	Possible side effects
Oral Contraceptives-Birth Control Pills*	Taken orally once every 21 or 28 days	Doctor prescribed, is covered by most medical plans	95-97% effective	Not for women who smoke or have high blood pressure
Depo-Provera*	Injection	Injected by a medical provider every 3 months; check with your insurance	99%	May cause heavy spotting, weight gain, nervousness or acne
Norplant*	Six thin rods are inserted into the upper arm	Rods must be inserted by a doctor-however, effective for up to five years; may or not be covered by insurance	99%	Irregular bleeding and spotting, difficulty of removal
IUD (Intrauterine Device)*	Small copper t-shaped tube is inserted in the uterus	Must be inserted by a doctor, covered by most insurances- 2 types of IUD Paragard, which is replaced once every 10 years or Progestasert, replaced yearly	98%	Heavier menstrual periods, cramping after insertion
Diaphragm/Cervical Cap	Is filled with a spermicide and inserted in the vagina one hour prior to intercourse. The Cervical Cap is smaller, fits directly over the cervix	Must be initially fitted and measured by a doctor; spermicides to use with them are available over the counter. Examination and items covered by most insurances.	80-82%	Lack of spotenaity, possible irritation from the spermicide, must be refilled for each act of sexual intercourse
Vaginal Suppositories	Inserted in the vagina 10-15 minutes prior to intercourse	Available over the counter at most drugstores- and through Shopinprivate.com	70-74%	Must used 10-15 minutes before intercourse to be most effective-may cause allergic reactions, can be messy
Vaginal Contraceptive Film/Vaginal contraceptive gel	Inserted into the vagina immediately prior to intercourse	Available over the counter at most drugstores- and through Shopinprivate.com	up to 94% effective	Possible irritation to either partner
Female Condom	Inserted vaginally prior to intercourse	Available over the counter at most drugstores- and through Shopinprivate.com	Approximately 79% effective	Must be used each time, plastic rings can be uncomfortable.
Male Condom	Placed on the penis of the male partner	Available over the counter at most drugstores- and through Shopinprivate.com	Approximately 86% effective	Must be reapplied each time, can possibly leak or break

*Does not provide protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

(1) Effectivity is measured for a typical couple who use this method for a 12 months. (i.e. 21 out of 100 couples that use the Female condom for a year will end up pregnant).

Most Doctor-prescribed contraceptive products should be used by persons in a stable, monogamous relationship. Two forms of contraception not included in the chart are tubal ligation and vasectomy. Since those methods are very hard to reverse, they should only be considered by persons who have completed their families. Over the counter contraceptives all work as a barrier of some sort-to keep the sperm from fertilizing an egg. Spermicides work by killing the sperm before it fertilizes the egg. Male condoms keep the sperm from entering the vagina. Female condoms collect the sperm that has entered the vagina.

There are new products currently being tested that will prevent conception and help prevent STD's. Called microbicides, these act by killing not only the viruses that cause STD's, but also as a spermicide. These products are still being researched, but may be on the market by the year 2002.

One thing that is vital to remember-any method used after intercourse is too late. Also, the only 100% effective method of birth control is abstinence (sorry!).