The Pill Is a Form of Birth Control Used by Women That Is Taken by Mouth to Prevent Pregnancy

CONTRACEPTIVES

The Pill The Pill is a form of birth control used by women that is taken by mouth to prevent pregnancy. When taken correctly, it is 98% effective. However, the Pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). The male condom provides the best protection from most STDs.

How Does the Pill Work? The Pill contains a small amount of man-made hormones. These hormones work with the natural hormones to prevent pregnancy. Some forms of the Pill stop the body from releasing an egg from the ovary. Others work by making the lining of the womb too thick or too thin to accept the fertilized egg.

Where Can I Get Birth Control Pills? Birth control pills are only available with a doctor's prescription.

How Soon Does the Pill Work? Your body will need about 1-3 months to adjust to the Pill.

Are There Side Effects Associated With the Pill? Yes, although the majority are not serious. They include:  Nausea  Weight gain  Sore or swollen breasts  Small amount of blood, or spotting, between periods  Lighter periods  Mood changes

Is it OK to Take Other Drugs While Taking the Pill? Some drugs can stop the Pill from working properly. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you are taking.

Mini Pills These are pills that contain only one hormone (progestin). How Do Mini Pills Work? Mini pills work by thickening the cervical mucus so the sperm cannot reach the egg. The hormone in the pills also changes the lining of the uterus, so implantation of a fertilized egg cannot occur. In some cases, mini pills stop ovulation (the release of an egg). A pill is taken every day.

How Effective Are Mini Pills? If Mini Pills are used consistently and correctly, they are about 95% effective.

Depo-Provera Depo-Provera is an injection that works exactly the same way as Norplant -- as a time-release progesterone. One injection of Depo-Provera in the muscle of the arm or buttocks protects you against pregnancy for three months. The active ingredient in Depo-Provera is, again, a synthetic progestin hormone. Depo-Provera is considered as effective as Norplant in preventing pregnancy and is rated as 99 percent effective. More than eleven million women worldwide have used it so far. Depo-Provera costs less than $200 per year.

What Are the Side Effects? The side effects of Depo-Provera are: irregular menstrual cycles and bleeding, weight gain, headaches, nervousness, hair loss, abdominal pain, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. Depo-Provera has a tainted past. It is possibly linked to breast cancer. There is another strike against Depo-Provera. A July 1991 study published in the British Medical Journal found that bone density significantly decreased in thirty women who had been using Depo-Provera for at least five years.

Norplant Norplant is a birth control method used by women. Six match-sized capsules are surgically implanted underneath the skin of the underside of the upper arm. The capsules contain a hormone called "progestin," which slowly releases into the bloodstream and prevents pregnancy for up to 5 years.

How Do I Get Norplant? A doctor must insert Norplant. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes. First, your doctor will use a shot to numb the underside of the upper arm. A metal device is then used to make a small incision just under the skin. The capsules are inserted in a fan shape. The incision is then covered with gauze and a bandage. Stitches are not required. Once the capsules have been inserted under the skin, no additional steps are needed to prevent pregnancy. How Soon Does Norplant Work? Protection begins 24 hours after Norplant has been inserted if done during the first 7 days of the menstrual cycle.

How Effective Is Norplant? Norplant is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

What Are the Side Effects of Norplant? Norplant can cause a number of side effects, including:  Irregular menstrual periods or no periods at all  Headaches  Nervousness  Depression  Dizziness  Acne  Changes in appetite  Weight gain  Excessive growth of facial and body hair Is Norplant Expensive? Norplant can cost about $400 to have inserted, but it lasts for up to 5 years. Can I Get Norplant Inserted More Than Once? Yes. A new set of capsules can be inserted when the old set of capsules is removed.

Can Norplant Be Removed Early? Yes. Norplant can be removed any time after it has been inserted. Fertility is restored within 5-14 days after Norplant is removed.

What Are the Advantages of Using Norplant?  You don't have to remember to take it every day or use it each time you have sex.  It provides long-term protection.  It doesn't interfere with sexual activity.  It's over 99% effective. What Are the Disadvantages of Using Norplant?  It is expensive to have inserted.  It can cause harmful side effects.  It does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases.  Menstrual periods are irregular.  Removal may be difficult.

Where Can I Get Norplant? Women's health providers offer Norplant in their offices or clinics. Condoms, the male condom and the female condom. What Is a Male Condom? The male condom, or "rubber," is a thin covering made of latex, plastic, or animal membrane that is rolled over an erect penis. The covering prevents semen, the fluid that contains sperm, from entering a woman's vagina.

What Are Male Condoms Made of? Recently, condoms made of polyurethane (a type of plastic) have become available. These are more expensive than latex condoms and seem to break more easily. They are mainly useful for people who are allergic to latex. There are also "natural" condoms, which are made of animal membranes. These are expensive and probably not effective in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

How Is the Male Condom Used? The condom is rolled over the erect penis before sexual activity begins. If the condom does not have a built-in nipple, leave 1/4-inch of the condom free at the tip of the penis so that semen has a place to collect. A new condom must be used each time you have sex. For the best protection, condoms should be used with a spermicidal foam or jelly. The condom must be in place before the penis gets near the vagina. If you use lubricants with a condom, be sure to only use water-based lubricants, such as K-Y Jelly. Oil-based lubricants, such as Vaseline, can cause condoms to leak or break.

What Causes Male Condoms to Break?  Condoms too old Modern condom wrappers have a date after which the condom should not be used.  Improper storage Heat damages latex condoms, so they should not be kept in a hot place, such as a car glove compartment or wallet.  Not enough lubrication Additional lubrication is always needed for rectal sex. It may also be needed for vaginal sex. The lubricant should be water- soluble, such as KY jelly.  The wrong kind of lubricant Lubricants that contain oil -- such as Vaseline, baby oils and vegetable oils -- should not be used with latex condoms since they weaken the rubber.

What Causes Condoms to Come Off During Sex?  Condom too large Try a snug condom.  Loss of erection Remove your penis, holding on to the rolled edge of the condom, as soon as you begin to lose your erection.

Where Can I Get Male Condoms? Condoms can be purchased at most drug stores. Condoms also are sold in vending machines in public restrooms.

How Effective Are Male Condoms at Preventing Pregnancy? Condoms are about 85 % effective.

Should Foam be Used With Male Condoms? Contraceptive foam can offer added protection against pregnancy and STDs in case a condom breaks.

How Effective Are Foam and Male Condoms? When used together and properly, foam and condoms are about 97% effective in preventing pregnancy.

What Is a Female Condom? The female condom is a lubricated polyurethane (plastic) tube that has a flexible ring at each end. One end of the tube is closed.

How Is the Female Condom Used? Before sexual activity begins, the woman inserts the condom into her vagina so that the closed end of the tube covers the cervix, and the other end slightly covers the labia (lips on the outside of the vagina). The condom blocks sperm from entering the womb. Female condoms should be discarded after one use.

Where Can I Get Female Condoms? Like the male condom, the female condom is available at drug stores without a prescription.

How Effective Is the Female Condom at Preventing Pregnancy? The female condom is about 75% effective. Do Female Condoms Protect Against STDs? Female condoms provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases, but the male condom provides the best protection if you have sex.

Spermicides Spermicides are foams, jellies, tablets, or suppositories used by women to prevent pregnancy. Chemicals within the spermicide destroy the sperm, preventing it from implanting an egg.

How Effective Are Spermicides? Although spermicides in the foam or jelly form can be used alone, they are more effective when combined with a condom or diaphragm. Spermicide used alone is 79% effective, but when used together and properly, foam and condoms are about 97% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Where Can I Get Contraceptive Foam? Contraceptive foam is available without a prescription at most drug stores and supermarkets. NuvaRing What is NuvaRing? NuvaRing is a new birth control option for women. It is a small flexible contraceptive ring, about the size of a silver dollar. How Does It Work? NuvaRing contains the same hormones as many birth control pills. It is inserted manually into the vagina, where it is left for three weeks. There, a continuous, low dose of hormones is released. Then the ring is removed for one week; this is the week you'll have your period.

How Effective Is NuvaRing? When used correctly, NuvaRing is 98%-99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Are There Side Effects Associated With NuvaRing? The most common side effects reported by users are:  vaginal infections  whitish vaginal discharge  headache  weight gain  nausea  breast tenderness

Birth Control Patch (Ortho Evra) What's The Birth Control Patch (Ortho Evra)? Ortho Evra is a tiny skin patch with the same hormones as in many birth control pills. Women can wear this patch on the buttocks, abdomen, upper torso (except for the breasts) or the outer part of your upper arm. You should not place the patch on skin that is red, irritated, or cut, or skin where you apply makeup, creams, or powders.

How Does It Work? A new patch is worn for one week and then replaced on the same day of the week for three consecutive weeks. The fourth week is a "patch-free week". This is when you should have your period. Women should only wear one patch at a time. The contraceptive patch prevents pregnancy by delivering a continuous amount of two hormones, estrogen and progesterone (the same hormones in most birth control pills) through the skin and into the blood stream.

How Effective Is the Birth Control Patch? The Ortho Evra contraceptive patch is 99% effective when used correctly. Are There Side Effects Associated With The Birth Control Patch? There are a few side effects:  Breast tenderness  Headache  Rash or redness at the site of the patch  Nausea  Menstrual cramps

IUD What Is an IUD? An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a small, plastic, flexible, T-shaped device that is placed into the uterus (womb) and prevents pregnancy. There are several types of IUDs. One type, ParaGard T380A, can be kept in place for 10 years.

How Do IUDs Work? Some IUDs contain copper, which is slowly released into the uterine cavity. The copper stops the sperm from making it through the vagina and uterus to reach the egg, thus preventing fertilization. Some IUDs, such as the Progestasert, release the hormone progesterone, which causes the cervical mucus to become thicker so the sperm cannot reach the egg. The hormone also changes the lining of the uterus, so implantation of a fertilized egg cannot occur. This type of IUD must be replaced each year. Mirena is a new IUD that contains progesterone but can be kept in for 5 years.

How Effective Is the IUD? The IUD is 99% effective.

How Is an IUD Used? Once the IUD has been inserted by your doctor, you do not need to take any further steps to prevent pregnancy until it is time to replace it. How long it lasts, depends on the type of IUD you receive.

Are There Side Effects Associated With IUDs? Side effects include pelvic inflammatory disease, painful and heavy periods, backaches and headaches. Discuss these side effects with your doctor.

Diaphragm What Is a Diaphragm? A diaphragm is a round piece of flexible rubber with a rigid rim. Before intercourse, the diaphragm is placed in the vagina against the cervix. The diaphragm prevents semen from entering the womb. Spermicide must be used with a diaphragm.

How Effective Is a Diaphragm? A diaphragm is 82%-94% effective.

Where Do I Get a Diaphragm? You can get a diaphragm from your doctor. Your doctor will give you a pelvic exam first so that you receive a proper fitting diaphragm. Sponge What Is the Sponge? The sponge is a form of birth control used by women. It is a small, donut-shaped device that is coated with spermicide.

How Effective Is the Sponge? With proper and consistent use, the sponge is 89%-91% effective.

Where Can I Get the Sponge? The sponge is available without a prescription at most drug stores.