Hey girls! It's Safety Girl here. We're talking about contraception because, besides buying condoms, most guys rely on girls to take care of birth control. Despite
being the worlds most popular form of birth
control condoms are also the most effective for
safety, cost, and reliability. There are other
choices however, and we think it's only fair to fill you in on those choices too. From the pill to IUD's join Safety Girl
as she answers the most common questions about all
forms of contraception.
|
| Barrier Methods |
Hormone Methods |
Condoms
Diaphragm
Cervical Cap
Sponge
|
The
Pill
Norplant
Depo-Provera
IUD |
| Stupid Methods |
Gel and Foam Methods |
Withdrawal
Rhythm
Period Sex
Standing/Jumping
Douching
|
Creams,
Vaginal Suppositories,Vaginal Film
Spermicidal Foam
|
| Condoms">Condoms
Up to 98%
effective / $0.25-$1.00 |
Condoms
are among the most cost effective and reliable
methods of birth control. condoms are
affordable, available without a prescription,
and come in a wide variety. Furthermore, they
protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases as
well as pregnancy. condoms do not limit
fertility with use and are extremely safe with
limited side-effects, if any. condoms are
a good choice for almost any couple and can be
used to augment the effectiveness of other
methods.
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| Diaphragm
80% effective
/ $40.00 |
A
diaphragm is a small rubber disk that is
inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix,
thus blocking the sperm from reaching an egg. A
diaphragm must be fitted by a doctor and thus a
prescription is required. Using a diaphragm
requires a spermicidal gel that is applied to
the edge of the diaphragm, causing a seal to be
formed. A diaphragm can be inserted a few hours
before sex and can stay in for 6-8 hours
afterward. However, longer periods of use will
raise the chances for slippage and failure.
Diaphragms must be re-fitted every once in a
while or after a significant weight gain/loss or
pregnancy. In some women a diaphragm may
cause an increase in Urinary Tract Infections.
Furthermore, diaphragms are not recommended for
the prevention of STD's. Overall,
diaphragms make the most sense for monogamous
couples in long term relationships.
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| Cervical Cap
70-85% effective
/ $50.00 |
Similar
to a diaphragm the cervical cap is a small
rubber dome that prevents the sperm from
reaching the egg. A cervical cap requires a
prescription and must be fitted by a gynecologist.
The cervical cap can be inserted several hours
prior to intercourse and MUST remain in for 6-8
hours after intercourse. Like a diaphragm the
cervical cap requires the use of a spermicidal
jelly to form a tight seal with the cervix.
Disadvantages of using a cervical cap are lost
opportunity for spontaneity and a reduction of
effectiveness after pregnancy. Again, this
method of birth control is recommended most for
monogamous couples whose main focus is pregnancy
prevention rather than avoidance of STD's.
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| The Sponge
75-90%
effective /
$2.50 per use |
The
sponge is a barrier technique that prevents
sperm from reaching and fertilizing eggs via a
sponge soaked with spermicide. The sponge slowly
lets the spermicide soak out and completely
smother the entire vaginal inside. The sponge is
currently not available in the US but you can
buy them online from Canada. The sponge can be
inserted a few hours before sex and left in for
up to 12 hours afterward. The sponge does not
require a prescription and will be available in
drug stores once it is available for sale in the
US.
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| The Pill
95+% effective /
$10-$40 per month |
The
birth control pill uses man-made hormones,
estrogen and progesterone, to prevent the
monthly release of the egg to the uterus.
Without an egg pregnancy cannot occur. Some
women report side affects like nausea, breast
tenderness, or mid-cycle bleeding. However, some
women also report an increase in breast size and
better skin as a result of the pill. The pill
MUST be taken daily and takes 30 days to start
working. The pill does not protect against
STD's. The pill requires a prescription as well.
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| Norplant
95+% effective/
$500-$1000 per 5 years. |
Norplant
are a series of progesterone laden tubes that
are inserted into a woman's arm (usually). The
progesterone prevents the monthly release of an
egg to the uterus. No egg- no pregnancy. The
implants last up to 5 years, although they can
be removed earlier. Implants do not protect
against STD's although they are proven to reduce
the risk of uterine cancer. Some women complain
that the implants can be seen and felt. Some
women with previous health conditions ( breast
cancer, high blood pressure) should not use
Norplant. A doctor must prescribe, insert, and
remove the implants.
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| Depo Provera
95+% effective / $40-$65 per 3 months. |
Depo
Provera is an injection that contains the hormone
progesterone, which prevents the release od the
egg to the uterus. The shot lasts for about 3
months and must be administered by a physician.
Depo Provera does not protect against STD's and
sometimes fertility does not return for up to 24
months after the last injection. Otherwise Depo
Provera is an effective method of birth control
recommended for monogamous couples in long-term
relationships.
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| IUD
95+% effective / $250-$750 per 10 years |
The
IUD, or Inner Uterine Device, is one of the most
popular forms of birth control anywhere. The IUD
is a small plastic coil-like device that
prevents the sperm from fertilizing an egg.
There are various types of IUD's, each one
slightly different. An IUD must be inserted by a
doctor and last up to 10 years, although some
models need to be changed every year. IUD's do
not protect from STD's and side effects (heavy
bleeding or cramping) are sometimes reported.
IUD's are usually recommended for monogamous
long-term couples.
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| Withdrawal
0.00% effective / $250,000 per child |
Withdrawal,
otherwise known as "coitus interuptus",
is an absolutely ineffective method of birth
control. During intercourse small amounts of
semen are leaked out prior to ejaculation to
help with lubrication. Inside these few drops of
semen are millions of sperm cells, all of which
are capable of fertilizing the egg. Besides,
pregnancy is only concern. STD's can never be
forgotten about.
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| Rhythm Method
0.00% effective /
$250,000 per child |
This
method relies on perfectly timed sex that falls
during periods of non-ovulation. Although on
paper it sounds good this practice is also
ineffective. Although ovulation occurs 14 days
before the period there are often variations
that could have an impact on release date.
Furthermore, sperm can live for up to 5 days
inside of the vagina. It's better to just use a
real method of birth control.
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|
Period Sex
0.00% effective / $250,000 per child |
Having
sex while menstruation is occurring seems safe.
Yet for many women who have a long period and a
short cycle, which can occasionally happen to
any woman, menstruation and ovulation can
overlap slightly. Furthermore, sperm can live
for up to 5 days inside a vagina causing
pregnancy even if ovulation and intercourse were
days apart. Besides, pregnancy is only concern.
STD's can never be forgotten about.
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| Standing/Jumping
0.00% effective / $250,000 /child |
Standing
or jumping has absolutely no effect on
fertility. It does make breasts and balls look
funny though so go ahead and try it as much as
you like. Besides, pregnancy is only concern.
STD's can never be forgotten about.
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| Douching 0.00%
effective / $250,000 per child |
There
are several rumors going around that douching
right after sex will prevent pregnancy. Some
even say that douching with Coke/Pepsi is even
better. None of these rumors have any scientific
credibility. Bottom line: if you're going to
have sex use birth control.
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| Gels and Foams
80% eff. /
$0.50-$3.50 per |
Spermicides,
creams, jellies, vaginal suppositories, and
vaginal film all do basically the same thing by
releasing spermicides into the vagina thus
preventing sperm from reaching the egg. These
methods do not protect from STD's and may cause
irritation in some women. These products are
usually recommended as supplements to condoms
and are not as effective on their own. Most
items in this category must be applied ten
minutes before sex, but no longer than 30
minutes before ejaculation.
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