Birth Control: What's Right For You?
This section is for married partners only!!
Here's why: First and foremost, I am an avid believer in waiting until marriage for sex. You have less problems, more two-parents homes, and none of us would be in the situation we are or were in!! Also, (assuming both partners are faithful) you will never receive or transmit any sexually transmitted diseases.
Another crazy, unpopular belief that I hold is called teenage self-control. I honestly believe that teenagers can control themselves! I also think that we're smart enough to understand why we should. I am not one of those people who say whatever feels good is good because I live in the real world. A lot of things can temporarily feel good that aren't.
I could go on much longer about this sort of thing, but you came here for birth control information. I will say though, the best type of birth control for an unmarried person (and the only one with a 100% guarantee) is abstinence. You're not allergic to it, it won't break, move, shift or spill and it doesn't cost a dime. If you want more reasons, click .
The first thing that you need to know is the difference between birth control and contraception. Contraception is when you prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg and birth control is when you destroy unborn babies as well as prevent fertilization (hence th name 'bith control' - it controls the number of live births not the number of children conceived.) The first methods, called barrier methods, are contraception. Hormonal methods and IUDs are birth control and cause early abortions. You may not have a problem with this, but a lot of people do and we have the right to make an informed choice so I'm not sugar coating any of this.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods place an obstacle (either chemical or physical) between the sperm and the egg.
Male Condom
Theoretical effectiveness: 98%
User effectiveness: c. 60%
What it is: A sheath, commonly made of latex, which is unrolled onto the erect penis (prior to any contact with the vagina) to prevent semen from entering the vagina.
Benefits:Latex condoms help prevent some STDs. (Keywords here are "help" and "some".) It doesn't offer any notable protection from syphilis, genital warts and several other STDs. Latex condoms can contain natural holes that, while being much smaller than a sperm are up to 50 times larger than the HIV virus.
Tips/Problems:Use a condom with a reservoir at the end as these are less likely to leak. Prelubricated condoms are less likely to tear and ones lubricated with a spermicide offer a double dose of protection. Only use these with a water soluble lubricant such as K Y Jelly. Only use a condom one time and then throw it out. By the way lubricated condoms do not protect you from AIDS!!!! I met someone who honestly believed that lie and I want to make it perfectly clear that condoms offer none to very little protection against AIDS and some other STDs. You are risking an STD every time you have sex, with or without protection. I'm telling you this for your health and because I trust that you are mature enough to handel the truth. The bottom line is that condoms do help protect you some of the time from some STDs. That's it all and the end of that.
Female Condom
Theoretical effectiveness: 97%
User effectiveness: c. 88%
What it is:The female condom is a sheath made of polyurethane that fits along the walls of the vagina with the outer edges covering the external genitalia.
Benefits:Polyurethane is about 40% stronger than the latex used in male condoms. It also transmits heat more effectively and can be used with an oil-based lubricant.
Tips/Problems:Users say that it can be awkward and messy as well as cause irritation to the vagina or penis. Thie method doesn't protect you from some STDs like HPV (genital worts)
Spermicide
Theoretical effectiveness: 95%
User effectiveness: c. 60%
What it is:Spermicides are chemicals which kill the sperm before they can reach the egg. The most common ingredient is Nonoxonyl-9 and spermicides come in foam, cream, or jelly.
Benefits:Spermicides add lubrication which is helpful to new mothers whose vaginal tissue can be temporarily drier than usual.
Tips/Problems:Watch for a rash or itching as these are signs of an allergic reaction. If they occur, discontinue use. Spermicide does not kill AIDS or other STDs, it only kills sperm. Keep that in mind.
Diaphragm
Theoretical effectiveness (with spermicide):97%
User effectiveness: c. 70-90%
What it is:It is a dome shaped device that fits over the cervix like a cap preventing the sperm from reaching the egg. It can be inserted up to 2 hours before and must be left in 6 hours after an act of intercourse.
Benefits:Using a diaphragm allows both partners to experience the full range of physical sensations during intercourse.
Tips/Problems:The diaphragm is only available by prescription and you must be refitted after giving birth (even if it's a C-section) and every time you gain or lose 15 pounds. Also, Toxic Shock Syndrome has occurred in new mother who left the diaphragm in for over 24 hours. To avoid TSS, never leave it in over 24 hours and don't use it if you're menstruating. If you notice any of the symptoms of TSS (fever of 100 degrees or higher, diarrhea, vomiting, sunburn-like rash) call your doctor immediately!! This method does not protect you from any STDs!
Hormonal Methods
Hormonal methods of birth control are by far the most effective and also the most dangerous. There are side effects and risks to hormonal methods that you won't find with barrier methods. Another thing to remember is that hormonal methods, including the pill, actually cause very early abortions as well as prevent conception. I do not recommend these to anyone for very sound reasons, especially (but not limited)to those of us who oppose taking a preborn's life.
See, they work in three ways. First, they prevent ovulation. The different methods have varying rates of success at doing this. When ovulation occurs despite the birth control (as it does do any where from 10 - 100% of the time depending on the method) it is called breakthrough ovulation. When this happends, you can (and on average do about 3 - 4 times a year) get pregnant.
As the fertilized egg travels the length of the fallopian tubes, his or her journey is purposely slowed by chemicals, causing her to starve and die. If somehow she holds on and makes it, she can't attatch to the womb and begin to grow and develop further because the chemicals make the lining of the uterus hard and inhabitable. So she dies and you have your period without ever knowing that she lived.
The third thing they do to prevent fertilization is they attepmt to change the thickness and amount of your cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg (ovum). This doesn't really mean anything because when breakthrough ovulation occurs, hormones are released that make the mucus thin and easy for sperm to pass through.
One more thing, once again hormonal methods do not protect you from STDs and may actually make you more likely to get one.
Oral Contraceptives
There are several different variations of oral contraceptives but I will only cover the two main ones here. Those are the combination pill and the mini-pill. Remember, if you take birth control pills you must inform your doctor of any other medications or drugs you are taking and likewise inform any doctor about to prescribe medicine that you are on birth control pills. Also, for the best results, take the pill at the same time every day.
Combination Pill
Theoretical effectiveness: over 99%
User effectiveness: c. 98%
Breakthorough ovulation: 2 - 10%; conservatively
You take one pill containing estrogen and progesterone every day for 21 days and then you skip 7 days on a 28 day cycle. This is not a good choice for nursing mothers because the estrogen in the pill can decrease your milk supply. Also, make sure your doctor has a complete medical history before prescribing this as it can be harmful to you if you have certain medical conditions. If you skip a pill, even just one, or don't take it at the same time each day, your chances of breakthrough ovulation increase wich means that your chances of actually having an early abortion increase as well.
Benefits: Decreases the risk of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer, reduces PMS, painful menstruation and benign breast cysts.
Side Effects/Risks: Nausea, bloating, weight gain, mood swings, breast tenderness. This can also cause blood clots which can, in rare cases, lead to a stroke. The question of whether or not the combination pill increases your risk of breast cancer has not been conclusively answered although it can make your uterus more susceptible to an STD. You have the potential of actually inducing an early abortion when you are on the pill every time you have intercourse.
Mini-Pill
Theoretical effectiveness: 98%
User effectiveness: c. 97%
Breakthrough ovulation: does not stop ovulation in 67 - 81% of women
You take one pill a day on a twenty-eight cycle. The mini-pill only contains progesterone.
Benefits: Many doctors feel that the mini-pill is acceptable for nursing mothers since it does not contain estrogen and the progesterone is only passed to the baby in small amounts. This is also safer for women over 35 (compared to the pill) and is better for women who suffer from migraines or hypertension (also compared to the pill). Also, it decreases the amount of blood flow during menstruation and decreases the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease due to gonorrhea.
Side Effects/Risks: Similar to those of the combination pill, although irregular bleeding is more common. This will kill even more of your newly - concieved children than the regular pill, all without your knowledge or consent.
Norplant
Theoretical effectiveness: more than 99%
Breakthrough ovulation: 50-65% of the time
Norplant (the brand name for this type of birth control) is made up of six sticks each about the size of a matchstick. They are usually inserted in the inside of the woman's upper arm in a procedure that takes about 15 minutes. (Don't worry, local anesthesia is used) Once in place, the capsules slowly release progesterone.
Benefits: It can last up to five years.
Side Effects/Risks:Removal is often more difficult than insertion. Some women have experienced severe pain and unacceptable scarring after removal. Irregular vaginal bleeding is also common and you may also experience bloating, mood swings, nervousness, fatigue and weight gain. Something to remember is that the effects tend to wear off more quickly in overweight women. If you are nursing, talk to your doctor before using Norplant. Norplant causes early abortions at a much larger rate than the regular pill
Depo-Provera
Effectiveness: 99%
Breakthrough ovulation: 40-60% of the time
Depo-Provera is a progesterone solution that is injected with a needle every three months.
Benefits: It provides birth-control for three months.
Side Effects/Risks: Irregular vaginal bleeding, bloating, headaches, mood swings, nervousness, fatigue and weight gain. Also, if you decide that you don't like Depo-Provera or if something goes wrong, you are stuck with it for three months after your last injection. Depo-Provera causes early abortions; also far more than the pill in number.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
Breakthrough ovulation: 100% of the time
Effectiveness: 97-99%
I an only going to cover your average, ordinary IUD here. Again, I would like to stress that just because I include info about something, doesn't mean I recommend it. This is very true in the case of an IUD.
An IUD is a small plastic device that is inserted through the cervix into the uterus where it remains until it is removed (hopefully). It works by preventing the fertilized egg form implanting in the uterus. It is effective from one to ten years depending on the type.
Most women experience cramping when the IUD is inserted as well as cramping and spotting for up to a week afterward. A thin, nylon tail protrudes from the cervix allowing the woman to check it's position after each menstrual period.
Side Effects/Risks: In some instances an IUD perforates the uterine wall or cervix or even migrates into the abdominal cavity, requiring surgical removal. This risk may be higher in mothers who are nursing.
If the uterus does not adapt to insertion, it may expel the IUD, sometimes without the woman noticing. It may also move upward causing an ectopic (or tubal) pregnancy.
IUDs are also associated with a higher risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. Because of that, IUDs should only be used by women who have a low risk of PID such as women who have never had a pelvic infection and who are in a long term, mutually monogamous relationship.
IUDs prevent live births through starving tiny babies without their mother even knowing.
A few last words on hormonal methods
Estimates show that the products you have just read about kill about ten million newly concieved children in the U.S.A. every year. In fact, the average couple loses three or four children a year.
For more information, feel free to look these resources up:
The Pill - How does it work? By Albert D. Lorincz, M,D. Cites a study in which 1,200 women given a daily amoount of progestogen equivalent to many birth control pills. 60% of them ovulated.
Birth Control: Why Are They Lying to Women? By J.C. Espinoza, M.D. page 27 cites research by Roland which showed a 30% ovulation rate in women taking a combination Pill preparation.
There are many more reasources out there, some of which are birth control advocates, you owe it to yourself and your children to find the truth.
Surgeries
I've run out of time! I've got surgeries and natural methods left! (One day, I really will finish this section! :)
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This section has been hittimes since May 19, 1998