Having sex is about making choices. We choose our partners, when we're ready to have sex, when to wait, and what we feel comfortable doing. Finally, we can choose to have sex in the safest way.Not getting pregnant requires you to weigh the pros and cons of all birth control methods and to choose effective birth control that you find comfortable, can use correctly and will use consistently each time you have sex.With so many options, choosing birth control methods may be hard. The top questions to ask yourself when making this decision is "How comfortable would I be using a particular birth control method?"Consider your comfort level when choosing a birth control method. If you are not at ease with an option or might not consistently use it (for any reason), that method is unlikely to be reliable for you in the long run. Also, decide whether or not a particular method may cause irritation or discomfort for you or your partner.Consider how comfortable you are with touching your body. For women, some methods like a diaphragm or NuvaRing require inserting them into your vagina and taking them out. For men, using a condom requires rolling it onto your penis.It's important to be honest about your feelings regarding these issues.
Types of birth control methods
• Natural family planning birth control methods:
Behavioural methods (also known as natural family planning) include specific actions that individuals can take naturally to help prevent an unintended pregnancy. Many are these birth control methods are based on a thorough understanding of the menstrual cycle. Natural methods often do not cost anything and usually have no side effects.
• Over-the-counter birth control methods:
Over-the-counter contraceptives are barrier methods that obstruct sperm from fertilising an egg. These birth control methods can be obtained without a doctor's prescription.
• Prescription birth control methods:
Prescription birth control is for women who wish to avoid a pregnancy by using certain hormones, barriers, or devices that are prescribed by a doctor (as they require some degree of medical supervision.) In addition to oral contraceptives like the pill, there are also other hormonal contraceptives which offer alternative delivery systems. Also included in this category are devices (like a diaphragm) that must be fitted by a doctor.
• Sterilisation: permanent birth control methods:
Individuals who know for sure that they do not want to have any more (or any) children can opt for a permanent birth control methods by undergoing specific surgical procedures.
Common contraception myths
• A female can't get pregnant the first time. A woman's chances for becoming pregnant are always the same, about one out of 20, even if it is her first time. A female can become pregnant any time after she begins to ovulate.
• Douching, showering, or bathing can prevent pregnancy. Douching is not an effective method of birth control as it is impossible to douche fast enough to keep sperm away from fertilising an egg. This is true even if you douche immediately after sexual intercourse. Urinating or taking a bath or shower will also not wash sperm out.
• A female can't get pregnant if the male "pulls out" before he ejaculates. This is a huge myth! Withdrawal is not always a reliable method. Once a male becomes aroused, he ejects pre-ejaculate fluid, this fluid can contain at least 300,000 sperm (and it only takes one to join an egg)! There is also the risk that he doesn't pull out in time as, in the heat of the moment, it can be hard to keep control. Even if he ejaculates outside of the vagina, sperm can swim, so semen anywhere near the vagina can still lead to pregnancy. Withdrawal can be an effective method, but only if it is done perfectly.
• Birth control pills cause cancer. Though there may sometimes be side effects with the pill, it has not been conclusively linked to cancer.
• Not having an orgasm can be a great method of birth control. A lot of women believe that if they don't allow themselves to climax during sex, they will not get pregnant. Pleasure has nothing to do with birth control, whether or not you enjoy sex, you can still get pregnant.
• A woman is more protected, the tighter a condom fits her partner. This too is a misconception based on the belief that the tighter the condom, the less likely sperm will seep out or that the condom will slip off during sex. However, a condom that is too tight is more likely to rupture during intercourse.