Birth Control

Veselina Tomova
Overview
 How pregnancy is prevented
 Many options:
Birth Control Implant
 Inserted under the skin of the upper arm
 Tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick
 Releases progestin which stops ovulation
 Thickens the cervical mucus
 Can be easily removed
 Can get pregnant quickly after removal
 Side effects: spotting; longer, heavier periods
 Does not prevent STDs
 Requires doctor or nurse
IUD (Intrauterine Device)
 Small piece of flexible plastic  Hormonal IUD
 Shaped like a “T”  3-6 years
 Easily removed
 Sops ovulation + thickens cervical
mucus
 Can get pregnant quickly after
removal
 Copper IUD
 12 years
 Requires doctor or nurse
 No hormones
 Does not prevent STDs  Prevent sperm entry to uterus
 Prevent implantation
Birth Control Shot
 Injection of progestin
 Stops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
 Have to get it on time to be effective
 Wears off after 2 weeks if stopped
 10+ months before you can get pregnant
 Requires doctor or nurse
 Does not prevent STDs
Birth Control Vaginal Ring
 Inserted inside the vagina
 Releases progestin and estrogen
 Stops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
 Replacement rings stored at room temperature
 Can be used to have or not to have a period
 Prescription required
 Does not prevent STDs
Birth Control Patch
 Adhesive patch stuck on skin
 Worn on belly, upper arm, butt, or back
 Releases progestin and estrogen
 Stops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
 Can have or not have period
 Can get pregnant quickly after removal
 Designed to stay on while
 Swimming, sweating, bathing, sauna etc.
 Prescription required
 Does not prevent STDs
Birth Control Pill
 Pills taken daily
 Release progestin + estrogen
 Combination pills
 28 days or 21 days
 Stops ovulation + thickens cervical mucus
 Have to be consistent
 Effective quickly
 Can get pregnant quickly after stopped
 Prescription required
 Does not prevent STDs
Condom
 Covers the penis
 Thin and stretchy
 Latex, plastic, lambskin
 Collects sperm
 Over-the-counter
 Protects from STDs
 No contact with bodily fluids
 Oral, vaginal, anal
Female Condom
 Inserted in the vagina
 Soft plastic pouch
 Comes lubricated
 Inserted like a tampon
 Can be inserted before sex
 Quickly becoming more available
 Over-the-counter
 Protects from STDs
Diaphragm
 Shallow, bendable cup
 Soft silicone
 Inserted in the vagina
 Covers the cervix
 Works best with spermicide
 Insert as you would a tampon
 Reusable
 Prescription required
 Does not prevent STDs
Birth Control Sponge
 Small, round
 Soft, squishy plastic sponge with a fabric loop
 Inserted in vagina like a tampon
 Covers cervix
 Already contains spermicide
 Wet it with water to activate it
 Not reusable
 Leave 6 hours after sex (no more than 30 hours)
 Cannot be used during your period
 Over-the-counter
 Does not prevent STDs
Cervical Cap
 Soft silicone
 Sailor’s hat
 Smaller than diaphragm
 Can be left up to 2 days (48 hours)
 Works best with spermicide
 Reusable
 Prescription required
 Does not prevent STDs
Spermicide
 Chemical put inside the vagina
 Stops sperm from swimming to the eggs
 Doesn’t actually kill sperm
 Can be used with other methods
 Creams, gels, foams, suppositories, etc.
 Apply shortly before sex
 Do not apply excessively
 Won’t damage condoms
 Over-the-counter
 Does not prevent STDs
Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs)
 Temperature method:  Dedication required
 Take temperature in the morning  No sex on certain days
every day before getting out of bed  Very informed about menstrual
 Calendar method: cycle
 Charting your menstrual cycle  Does not prevent STDs
 Cervical mucus method:
 Checking your cervical mucus
(vaginal discharge) every day

Symptothermal Method
Withdrawal
 A. k. a. “the pull out method” and
“coitus interruptus”
 Ejaculation outside the vagina and
vulva
 Works best with another birth
control method
 Has to be done consistently
 Requires dedication, skill,
experience, and self-control
 Man has to know when he’ll ejaculate
 Does not prevent STDs
Lactational Amenorrhea
 Breastfeeding as birth control
 Works only if done a certain way
 Every 4 hours during the day
 Every 6 hours during the night
 Feed only breast milk
 Don’t use a breast pump
 Stops ovulation + period
 Works up to 6 months after birth
 Takes dedication
 Does not prevent STDs
Outercourse and Abstinence
 Outercourse
 Other sexual activities besides vaginal sex
 Oral, anal, intercrural, grinding, kissing,
masturbating
 Does not prevent STDs
 Abstinence
 No sexual activity
 Subjective
 Protects from STDs
 Dedication + willpower
Tubal Ligation
 A. k. a. sterilization, female
sterilization, and “getting your tubes
tied”
 Surgical procedure
 Blocks/closes the fallopian tubes
 Still get period
 Permanent
 Reversal is difficult & expensive
 IVF may be effective
 Does not prevent STDs
Tubal Ligation
 Essure
 Done through the vagina and cervix
 No incisions
 Tiny coils inserted in the tubes; tissue grows around them after about 3 months
 Safer, shorter, and only local anesthesia
 Laparoscopy
 Most common
 Local & general anesthesia
 Small incision on belly (small scarring)
 A laparoscope finds fallopian tubes and closes them
Vasectomy
 A. k. a. male sterilization
 Surgical procedure
 Vas deferens in the scrotum are cut or blocked
 Still ejaculate, but there will be no sperm in
semen
 No sperm after 3 months
 Does not prevent STDs
Vasectomy
 Incision method
 Small cuts on the scrotum
 Part removed
 Blocked with clips
 Closed with electrical current
(cauterized)
 No-scalpel method
 Lower risk of infection
 Less time to heal
 Small hole
 Tie off, cauterize, or block
Emergency Contraception
 After unprotected sex or if you  Should not be used regularly
messed up other BC method  Not as effective as other methods
 Stops ovulation  Causes bleeding between periods,
 Copper IUD nausea, etc.
 5 days (120 hours)
 Most effective (99%)
 Morning-after pill
 Ulipristal acetate
 Prescription (5 days)
 Levonorgestrel
 Over-the-counter (3 days)
Thank You For the Attention!