What are the options for contraception?

It is an absolute pleasure to have sex but at times women can get pregnant in the process and then the whole experience does not remain pleasurable, in fact, it can turn into something painful. Having a baby without planning is not what anyone would want. You can avoid this situation by using contraceptives. Most contraceptives prevent a man’s sperm from fertilizing a woman’s eggs and this can be done in many different ways. There are two main types of contraception: barrier methods and hormonal methods. Some people abstain from having sex for a while and have sex only on certain days in the month. This method does not guarantee results and it is hard to control the urge to have sex when you really want to.

It is better to use some form of contraception and have sex than not to have it at all. You can use condoms, which are quite effective. Sometimes condoms split and this can lead to an unwanted pregnancy. Most women use hormonal contraceptives as they are convenient and easy to use. Emergency contraceptive pills can be used up to 120 hours after having unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

Emergency contraceptive pills have the same hormones that are present in regular contraceptive pills. Taking these pills in the first 24 hours can significantly reduce the possibility of a pregnancy. Although these pills are safe for use, you should always consult a doctor before using them. Self-medication can be dangerous. Only a good doctor can decide if a particular pill or drug suits your body. Do not use emergency contraceptive pills on a regular basis. Use them only during an emergency. If you have some trouble using contraceptive pills, you can use other forms of contraception such as contraceptive patches.

Evra is one of the most useful contraceptive patch introduced in the early years of this century. More than one percent of women in the UK use this form of contraception. Evra patch is a sticky patch that you need to put on your skin. This patch releases hormones that can stop you from getting pregnant. This patch is light pink in colour and just 2 inches by 2 inches in measurement. It is as effective as oral contraception, the only difference being that it is meant to be applied on the skin. Some side effects of this patch include thromboembolism and headache. You need to change one patch every seven days.

You can also use Nuva Ring as a method of contraception. This method consists of a comfortable and flexible contraceptive ring that is 2 inches in diameter and used for preventing pregnancy. You need to insert this ring in the vagina one time a month. The muscles in the vaginal wall will keep the ring in its place. You need to remove the ring after 21 days, which allows a week for the menstrual cycle. You can insert the new ring after your periods are over. Always consult a doctor before using any type of contraception. This way, you can make an informed choice.