You can’t enjoy sex if you're busy worrying about a contraceptive failure! A reliable, no-muss, no-fuss method of contraception is something all women desire. However, every woman has different needs, so the contraception that's right for you might not be right for your best friend, and vice versa.
Here is a list of the most common and dependable contraception methods:
Hormonal Birth Control: Hormonal birth control can come in the form of pills, patches, and vaginal rings. Birth control pills are highly effective in preventing pregnancy and often have other benefits as well (such as helping clear up skin and regulate periods), but many women have found that birth control pills also deplete their sex drive. Others find that the hormones throw their body’s natural balance out of whack, from their moods to their weight. For such women, a lower dose of hormonal birth control might be a good option. Since hormonal birth control options are so highly effective and allow for spontaneity (so women don’t have to worry about inserting a diaphragm or having condoms on hand), many couples find the benefits outweigh the possible side effects.
Diaphragms: Diaphragms are inserted into vaginal cavity before intercourse and create a seal that prevents sperm from traveling to the fallopian tubes (additionally, they often have spermicide as further protection). However, diaphragms are only about 80 percent to 85 percent effective, and improper use of the device can lead to urinary tract infections and toxic shock syndrome.
IUDS: The IUD is a highly effective form of contraception that comes in two forms, one with hormones (Paraguard), and one without (Mirena). The IUD works by blocking sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes and altering the lining of the uterus so it is uninhabitable for a fertilized egg. Your doctor inserts it during a regular office visit, and when you choose to have it removed, your fertility immediately returns. A little cramping during insertion is normal, but it’s a quick procedure. The IUD stays put for 10 years. However, IUDs are only recommended for women in monogamous relationships. If you contract a sexually transmitted infection while on an IUD, it may increase the severity of infection and even lead to infertility.
Contraceptive Sponges: The sponge is a small, foam-like barrier that is inserted into the vagina. It contains a spermicide called Nonoxynol-9. The spermicide kills any sperm that enters the vagina, and the sponge blocks any sperm that still survives from reaching the fallopian tubes. You must leave it in for 6 hours following intercourse for it to work effectively. Contraceptive sponges have a failure rate of up to 20 percent for women with no previous births, and up to 40 percent for women with previous births.
NuvaRing: The NuvaRing is a hormonal ring that you insert into your vagina monthly. Like birth control pills, the NuvaRing contains estrogen and progesterone, and these hormones work together to prevent the body from releasing mature eggs for fertilization. The woman removes the NuvaRing monthly for her cycle, and then inserts a new one when her cycle ends. It is 99 percent effective and has fewer side effects than the birth control. If you have been on the pill and experienced lower libido as a result, the NuvaRing might be a good fit for you. The NuvaRing is locally delivered to your reproductive organs and is believed to have fewer sexual side effects because the hormones are minimally absorbed into the blood stream.
Rhythm Method: This is based on a woman’s menstrual cycle. During a typical menstrual cycle, women have days of fertility and infertility (in which they are not technically infertile but are highly unlikely to become pregnant). In order to discover when it is safe to have sex without pregnancy on the Rhythm Method, a woman must know the first and last day of her cycle. However, the Rhythm Method has a failure rate of up to 25 percent a year, so it is not advisable for all couples.
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