What is Birth Control? What are the Methods of Birth Control?

Birth control is used to prevent pregnancy. It can be used by both men and women. Types of birth control include pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), tubal ligation, vasectomy, and condoms.

What is Birth Control?

Birth control is a way to prevent pregnancy for both men and women. There are many different methods of birth control. By learning more about your options, you can decide which method is right for you.

If you are sexually active and do not want a baby, talk to your doctor about birth control methods. Engaging in unprotected sex can result in an unwanted pregnancy.

What Are the Types of Birth Control?

We recommend discussing with your doctor to select the most appropriate birth control method for you. Birth control methods are only effective if used correctly. Make sure you understand how to use your chosen method properly.

1. Female Sterilization – Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation is a surgical method. It is a procedure to tie a woman’s “tubes” (fallopian tubes). This prevents the egg from traveling to the uterus, leading to permanent infertility. It also prevents sperm from traveling up the tube to the egg, where fertilization normally occurs.

Tubal ligation is performed in a hospital or outpatient surgical clinic under anesthesia. One or two small incisions are made in the abdomen near the navel, and a device resembling a small telescope called a laparoscope is inserted. Using tools inserted through the laparoscope, the fallopian tubes are burned or sealed.

This procedure is nearly 100% effective.

Female sterilization is an irreversible operation.

2. Male Sterilization – Vasectomy

A vasectomy is a simple, permanent sterilization procedure for men. The operation, usually performed in a doctor’s office, involves cutting and sealing the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm.

A vasectomy prevents sperm from traveling out of the testes. This surgery does not affect a man’s ability to achieve orgasm or ejaculation.

The procedure is typically done in the surgeon’s office under local anesthesia while the patient is awake. A small incision is made in the upper part of the scrotum. The tubes (vas deferens) are tied and cut. The skin incision is then closed with stitches. The patient can go home immediately.

Except in rare cases, this procedure is nearly 100% effective.

3. Progestin Arm Implant

The arm implant is a single hormone rod inserted directly under the skin of the upper arm by a doctor. This implant is the size of a matchstick and releases a progestin hormone over three years.

The most common side effect is irregular bleeding, but this tends to be light. It usually resolves within six to 12 months, and many women no longer experience bleeding. The implant needs to be removed after three years via an office procedure, but it can be removed earlier if desired.

4. Intrauterine Device (IUD)

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, flexible, T-shaped device placed in the uterus. Commonly referred to as a spiral, it is available in two types:

• Copper IUD
• Plastic IUD containing a very low dose of progestin (no estrogen)

Copper prevents fertilization by blocking sperm from reaching the egg through the vagina and uterus. Hormonal IUDs contain a progestin hormone.

Progestin-containing IUDs work by thickening cervical mucus, preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The hormone also thins the uterine lining, leading to lighter periods.

IUDs are nearly 100% effective. Progestin-containing IUDs and arm implants are among the most effective birth control options.

For detailed information about these and other birth control methods, visit our blog.