Abstinence
Over the course of a relationship, a couple may find one method of birth control suits their needs better than others. Most couples use many methods over a lifetime. Abstinence is most often used in new relationships or before commitments are made between the two partners.
Abstinence means not having any sex play with a partner. When a person decides to practice abstinence, it means that he or she has decided not to have sex. Even a person who has already had sex can decide to become abstinent in order to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease transmission.
Effectiveness
Abstinence is the only form of birth control that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, if used 100% of the time. Many other methods have high success rates if used properly, but they can fail occasionally.
Protection Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Abstinence protects people against STDs, if the abstinence is complete. Complete abstinence means not having any oral-genital contact, intimate skin to skin contact as well as intimate genital contact. Only complete and consistent abstinence protects against STDs and pregnancy. Having sex even once means that the person risks getting infection or pregnant.
A couple can still have a relationship without having sex. The people who care about you should respect that deciding not to have sex is an important personal choice. Be sure to ask your health care provider any questions you may have about making this choice.
Condoms
Male CondomDescription:A sheath placed over the erect penis blocking the passage of sperm. Failure Rate: Eleven percent. Risks:Irritation and allergic reactions.(Less likely to have allergic reaction with polyurethane.)
Protection from STDs: Latex condoms are the best protection against STDs, except for abstinence.
Convenience:Condoms are applied immediately before intercourse and only used once and then discarded.
Availability:Non-prescription.
Female Condom
Description: A lubricated polyurethane sheath shaped similarly to the male condom. The closed end has a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina.
Failure Rate: Twenty-one percent
Possible problems: Irritation and allergic reactions.
Protection from STDs:Protection is not as effective as the male latex condom, but does provide some protection.
Convenience:Applied immediately before intercourse; used only once, then discarded.
Availability:Non-prescription
Diaphragm
Description– A dome-shaped rubber disk with a flexible rim that covers the cervix so that sperm cannot reach the uterus. A spermicidal jelly is applied to the diaphragm before insertion. Failure Rate– Fifteen percent.
Risks Involved With Use– Skin irritation, spotting, discomfort during intercourse(for female and male partner), urinary tract infection. Possible risk of toxic shock syndrome if left in for too long.
Protection from STDs– None, a condom must be used for protection.
Convenience – Inserted before intercourse and left in place at least eight hours after. The diaphragm can be left in place for up to 48 hours, with additional spermicide for repeated intercourse.
Availability– By prescription only. A diaphragm must be fitted by a health care professional.
Depo Provera
Description– An injectable progestin that inhibits ovulation, prevents sperm from reaching the egg, and prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. Failure Rate– Less than one percent.
Possible Risks– Serious risks from Depo-Provera are rare. The risks are irregular bleeding, weight gain, breast tenderness and headaches.
Protection from STDs – None. A condom should also be used for STD protection.
Convenience – One injection every three months.
Availability– By prescription only.
Emergency Contraceptive Pill
Description– Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) contain higher doses of the same hormones as in some brands of regular birth control pills. Plan B® has progestin only in the two pills provided for emergency contraception. One pill is taken within five days of unprotected intercourse, then the second pill is taken 12 hours from the first pill. Emergency contraception works by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary or keeping the sperm from meeting the egg or keeping the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.
Failure Rate– The failure rate for Plan B is eleven percent.
Problems or Risks – Nausea or vomiting may occur shortly after taking ECPs. The next period may come sooner or later than usual.The next period may be heavier, lighter or more spotty than normal. Another form of birth control, such as a condom, should be used if intercourse takes place before the next period starts. If a period does not start in three weeks, a pregnancy test should be considered.
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill is not the same thing as the “Abortion Pill”. The ECP prevents a woman from becoming pregnant. The abortion pill (Milfeprex, also called RU-486) works after a woman becomes pregnant. The abortion pill causes the uterus to force out the egg, ending the pregnancy.
Visit or call Graceland Student Health Services to obtain information on how to obtain the Emergency Contraceptive Pill, Plan B. The phone number is 784-5372.
Information source:
National Women’s Health Information Center womenshealth.gov
Nuva Ring
Description: The Nuva Ring is a flexible ring about two inches in diameter that is inserted into the vagina and releases the hormones progestin and estrogen. The ring is inserted and left in the vagina for three weeks then removed for one week per month. The week the ring is removed, the woman will have a period. A new Nuva Ring is inserted every month.
Failure Rate: One to two percent.
Possible Risks:Vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation. Similar risks to oral contraceptives combined pill.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases: None, a condom must be worn for STD protection.
Convenience: No fitting necessary. It is inserted by the woman. If the ring is expelled for more than three hours, another birth control method must be used until the ring has been used continuously for seven days.
Availability: Prescription only.
Oral Contraceptives
Combined PillDescription– A pill that suppresses ovulation by the combined actions of the hormones estrogen and progestin. Failure Rate– One to two percent. Possible Risks– Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood and weight; rare possibility of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases– None. A condom must be used for STD protection.
Convenience– Must be taken daily at approximately the same time, regardless of the frequency of intercourse.
Availability– By prescription only.
The Minipill – progestin only pill
Description– A pill containing only the hormone progestin that reduces and thickens cervical mucus to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.
Failure Rate– Two percent.
Possible Risks– Irregular bleeding, weight gain, breast tenderness, less protection against ectopic pregnancy.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases– None, a condom must be used for protection.
Convenience– Must be taken daily at about the same time, regardless of the frequency of intercourse.
Availability– By prescription only.
Seasonale – 91 day regimen
Description– A pill containing estrogen and progestin, taken in 3-month cycles of twelve weeks of active pills followed by one week of inactive pills. Menstrual periods occur during the 13th week of the cycle.
Failure Rate– One to two percent.
Possible Risks– Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood and weight; rare possibility of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack and strokes.
Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases– None, a condom must be used for protection from STDs.
Convenience – Must be taken on a daily schedule, regardless of frequency of intercourse. Because users will have fewer periods, they should consider the possibility that they might be pregnant if they miss scheduled periods. There may be more unplanned bleeding and spotting between periods than with 28-day oral contraceptives.
Availability– By prescription only.
Patch (Ortho Evra)
Description– A small, thin, rectangular adhesive patch worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body that releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream.
Failure Rate– One to two percent. Appears to be less effective in women weighing more than 198 pounds.
Possible Risks – Dizziness, nausea, changes in menstruation, mood, and weight. Rare possibility of cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases – None, a condom must be used for STD protection.
Convenience– A new patch is applied once per week for three weeks. A patch is not applied on the fourth week and the period occurs then.
Availability– By prescription only.
Source of Information:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1997/…