Birth control

• Birth control pill (combined pill or progestin only)
• IUD or IUS
• Condoms
• Vaginal ring
• Self monitoring

Out of the above methods, only one of the methods, condoms, are geared towards men.

Other less common methods of birth control include:

• Birth control injection
• Birth control patch
• Female condoms
• Implant
• Caps or diaphrams
• Spermicide foam or gel
• The morning-after pill (Plan B)

There are other more permanent methods of birth control by either female or male sterilization.

Female sterilization can be done with surgery to block the fallopian tubes, which means that an egg won't be able to travel to the uterus (womb). You would still have a period, however you will not be able to get pregnant. Because this operation is difficult to reverse, it is really important that you are sure you will not want children later on. There are other methods of having biological children if you have undergone female sterilization, such as using a surrogate. Ask your doctor if this is something that might apply to you.

Male sterilization, more commonly known as a vasectomy, is a permanent way for men to practice birth control. This is where the tubes are blocked for a man's sperm to reach his semen. Therefore, he will still be able to ejaculate (come) when he climaxes, however the semen will not contain any sperm that is needed for a woman to get pregnant. Like female sterilization, a vasectomy is very difficult to undo, so make sure you and your partner are sure before going through with the operation.

Which should I choose?

There are so many different types of contraception because there is not one that works for everyone. Each type has its own pro's and con's that are key to understand in order for you to make the best choice possible for your own body.

Birth control pill

The birth control pill, either a combined hormone pill of two female hormones, estrogen and progestin, or a progestin only pill, is one of the most common ways of practicing contraception. When practiced consistently and correctly, the birth control pill is a great way to practice sex that has a very small chance of ending in pregnancy.

The differences between the combined pill and the progestin only pill are very important as they have different health benefits and risks.

The combined pill contains estrogen whereas the progestin only pill, or minipill, does not. Progestin is the synthetic version of progesterone which is a hormone that regulates your period (menstrual cycle). Estrogen is another type of hormone in the body that helps regulate your period, but it also benefits the heart, blood vessels, urinary tract, brain, skin, hair and breasts among other things. The estrogen in the combined pill helps you with:

• period cramps
• acne control
• heavy bleeding during your period
• irregular periods
• hair growth control in unwanted places (hirutism)
• symptoms of endometriosis
• lower risk of ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancers

The above are less controlled by the progestin only pill, so if you are taking birth control for one of these reasons, you might prefer to take a combined pill.

Although the progestin only pill does not control already unwanted symptoms or growths, it does not cause as many life-threatening negative side effects as the combined pill.

Negative side effects that are exclusive to the combined pill are:

• increased risk of high cholesterol, heart attack and stroke
• increased risk of blood clots, especially for those on combined pills with high doses of estrogen
• increased risk of cervical cancer and breast cancer

While you may hear of many of these side effects in birth control commercials on TV, it is really important to pay attention to them. If you are someone with an already increased risk of high cholesterol, heart attack or stroke, then a combined pill may not be right for you. Similarly, if you are someone who smokes, is over the age of 35, travels often, has a blood disorder or has had a blood clot in the past, the combined pill may also not be right for you.

Side effects that are beneficial to the progestin only pill include:

• can be taken with a history of conditions such as blood clots, migraines, high blood pressure or a high risk of heart attack or stroke
• lower risk of endometrial cancer

While these benefits are great, the progestin only pill does not help protect against ovarian and colorectal cancer. It also has exclusive negative side effects such as:

• ovarian cysts
• irregular bleeding
• decreased libido (sex drive)
• small increase of risk of ecoptic pregnancy (pregnancy occuring outside of the womb, such as in the fallopian tube. This type of pregnancy cannot produce a child)

Many women do not pay attention to the negative side effects from birth control warning labels or tv commercials because all of those risks seem rare. What most are more worried about in their day to day lives might be more likely to be about heavy bleeding during your cycle, acne, or extra hair in unwanted places.

However, it is very important to understand and acknowledge the negative risks of the birth control pill. Understanding your body and any underlying factors you may have can help your doctor make sure they are prescribing you what is best for your body.

IUD and IUS

An IUD, an intra-uterine device, is a tiny device that is placed in your uterus by a medical professional to keep from getting pregnant by releasing copper into the womb. The device is either plastic or copper, therefore it is sometimes referred to as "the coil" or "the copper coil."

The IUD is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy (99%) and also requires less action from the female. With an IUD you do not have to worry about remembering to take a pill at the same time every day. Once an IUD is placed, the user does not have to take action for the next 5-10 years depending on the type of IUD.

The negative side of having an IUD is that it can be painful when it first gets placed in the uterus and it can cause heavier periods for the first 3-6 months after having it placed. There is also a small risk of infection after the IUD is inserted into the uterus, however your medical professional should be monitoring this in the weeks that follow.

Unlike an IUD, an IUS, intra-uterine system, is a small plastic device that releases the progestin hormone rather than copper to prevent pregnancy. An IUS is inserted into the uterus (womb) the same way an IUD is, and it is associated to the same pain when it is initially placed in the uterus.

Because an IUS releases hormone, it also may cause breast tenderness, skin issues like acne, and mood swings. An IUS may also be unsuitable for the following conditions:

• have had breast cancer in the last 5 years
• cervical or uterine cancer
• liver disease
• bleeding after sex
• a higher risk for heart disease or stroke
• an untreated STD
• other problems with your uterus (womb) or cervix (opening to uterus)

If you do choose to get an IUD or an IUS, both can be removed at any time by a medical professional. You do not have to wait 5-10 years to have them removed to try to get pregnant.

Vaginal ring

The vaginal ring, commonly known as NuvaRing,