MarisWonder
November 16th, 2015, 12:27 AM
Hi everyone!
A lot of sex education doesn't offer accurate information regarding contraceptives, so I'm here (along with everyone else using the site) to help debunk a lot of those myths and answer some questions! I'll start by posting some of the most popular forms of birth control with basic information, and if you have any questions or would like to know anything about ANYTHING just post!
Condoms
These come in male and female forms. There are no age restrictions on buying a condom, however male condoms are less expensive than female. For those with latex allergies, there are options such a lambskin and polyurethane. When used consistently and correctly, condoms are 98% effective and are the only form of birth control (other than abstinence) that can protect against STI/STDs.
They can be flavored, useful for oral sex. Not recommended for other forms of sex as they can sometimes (but rarely) cause infections.
Condoms can be provided for free at your local health center, planned parenthood, clinic, etc...
How to use a (male) condom video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvFa7EsteZA
Cervical Cap
The cervical cap and the diaphragm are very similar. The biggest difference being that the cervical cap fits more "snuggly" over the cervix. Cervical caps are about 91% effective when used correctly, but do not prevent against STDs/STIs
They can be placed into the vagina up to 2 days before sexual intercourse, and must remain in at least 6 hours after intercourse
Must also be used with a spermicide, which may cause irritation to the users.
Should not be used during menstruation
Hormonal Birth Controls
The Patch&The Ring
The patch and the ring are forms of hormonal birth control that uses a combination of estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancies. They work by stopping the signal in your brain to prevent ovulation (not menstruation) as well as thickening the mucus to inhibit the movement of sperm. When used consistently and correctly, the patch and ring are 92% effective but does not protect against STI/STDs.
[LIST]
Unlike the pill, the patch must be changed once a week on the same day, every week for three weeks. During the fourth week, you do not wear a patch and should menstruate sometime during this time. People who would like not to have their period can wear another patch, but must discuss this with their healthcare provider. This is sometimes called "stacking"
The ring is worn for three weeks in the vagina and then removed for the fourth. During this time, the user should menstruate.
The patch is not as effective for those who weigh more than 198 or are smokers (and 35+)
The Pill
The pill is a form of hormonal birth control that uses a combination of estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancies. It works by stopping the signal in your brain to prevent ovulation (not menstruation) and also thickening the mucus to inhibit the movement of sperm. When used consistently and correctly, the pill is 97% effective but does not protect against STI/STDs.
The pill is taken everyday, at (ideally) the same time. The fourth week of pills is a placebo, in which time the user should menstruate
Occasionally causes weight gain
IUD
IUDs come in a hormonal and non-hormonal form. Both are 99% effective but do not protect against STIs/STDs
Hormonal IUDs (such as Mirena) use the hormone progestin to thicken the cervical mucus, thin the lining of the uterus and partially suppress ovulation. Mirena lasts 5 years. It may reduce cramps and make periods lighter. Some women experience a stop in their periods all together.
Non hormonal IUDs such as Paraguard, use copper which is toxic to sperm. It also effects the shape of the cervix so a fertilized egg has no where to grow. It does not alter periods, prevent ovulation or need to be changed regularly. It can be used for up to 12 years. Copper IUDs may cause a bit of discomfort to some people. (Copper is a conductor, and the nervous system just shoots electricity at each other all day--so if you've ever taken a chemistry course you may understand where the discomfort comes from)
Both require insertion by a clinician and can cost up to about $1,000 (usually about $850--you will need to check with your healthcare and insurance providers to see how much you would pay).
Although IUDs can last for years, they can be removed sooner if the user would like to become pregnant or is unhappy with it
They are one of the most expensive forms of contraception, but last longer and protect better. They have been proven to be just as effective as sterilization.
The Shot Depo-Provera
The shot is a form of hormonal birth control that uses the hormone progestin to prevent ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus. The shot is 99% effective at preventing pregnancies but does not protect against STDs/STIs
Each shot is effective for 12 weeks (3 months). After 12 weeks you must return to your physician for another shot, or you will be at risk for pregnancy.
Irregular bleeding is a common side effect within the first 12 weeks of taking the hormone as your body adjusts.
The Not-So-Recommended Forms of Birth Control But still handy when used with other methods
Spermicide
Spermicide just means "sperm Killer"
Uses Nonoxynol-9 to damage the sperm
When used alone, less than 75% effective
Can be irritating to the genitals
Can boost effectiveness of condom or diaphragm
Can cause lesions in vaginal wall (and thus increase the chance of contracting HIV or another STI)
Withdrawal
Very effective when done CORRECTLY
The issue is that many people do not know how to do it correctly
Pre-cum may sometimes contain sperm if there was sexual activity previously (do you go more than one round?)
It's free? But not very safe. Does not protect against STDs or STIs
A lot of sex education doesn't offer accurate information regarding contraceptives, so I'm here (along with everyone else using the site) to help debunk a lot of those myths and answer some questions! I'll start by posting some of the most popular forms of birth control with basic information, and if you have any questions or would like to know anything about ANYTHING just post!
Condoms
These come in male and female forms. There are no age restrictions on buying a condom, however male condoms are less expensive than female. For those with latex allergies, there are options such a lambskin and polyurethane. When used consistently and correctly, condoms are 98% effective and are the only form of birth control (other than abstinence) that can protect against STI/STDs.
They can be flavored, useful for oral sex. Not recommended for other forms of sex as they can sometimes (but rarely) cause infections.
Condoms can be provided for free at your local health center, planned parenthood, clinic, etc...
How to use a (male) condom video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvFa7EsteZA
Cervical Cap
The cervical cap and the diaphragm are very similar. The biggest difference being that the cervical cap fits more "snuggly" over the cervix. Cervical caps are about 91% effective when used correctly, but do not prevent against STDs/STIs
They can be placed into the vagina up to 2 days before sexual intercourse, and must remain in at least 6 hours after intercourse
Must also be used with a spermicide, which may cause irritation to the users.
Should not be used during menstruation
Hormonal Birth Controls
The Patch&The Ring
The patch and the ring are forms of hormonal birth control that uses a combination of estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancies. They work by stopping the signal in your brain to prevent ovulation (not menstruation) as well as thickening the mucus to inhibit the movement of sperm. When used consistently and correctly, the patch and ring are 92% effective but does not protect against STI/STDs.
[LIST]
Unlike the pill, the patch must be changed once a week on the same day, every week for three weeks. During the fourth week, you do not wear a patch and should menstruate sometime during this time. People who would like not to have their period can wear another patch, but must discuss this with their healthcare provider. This is sometimes called "stacking"
The ring is worn for three weeks in the vagina and then removed for the fourth. During this time, the user should menstruate.
The patch is not as effective for those who weigh more than 198 or are smokers (and 35+)
The Pill
The pill is a form of hormonal birth control that uses a combination of estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancies. It works by stopping the signal in your brain to prevent ovulation (not menstruation) and also thickening the mucus to inhibit the movement of sperm. When used consistently and correctly, the pill is 97% effective but does not protect against STI/STDs.
The pill is taken everyday, at (ideally) the same time. The fourth week of pills is a placebo, in which time the user should menstruate
Occasionally causes weight gain
IUD
IUDs come in a hormonal and non-hormonal form. Both are 99% effective but do not protect against STIs/STDs
Hormonal IUDs (such as Mirena) use the hormone progestin to thicken the cervical mucus, thin the lining of the uterus and partially suppress ovulation. Mirena lasts 5 years. It may reduce cramps and make periods lighter. Some women experience a stop in their periods all together.
Non hormonal IUDs such as Paraguard, use copper which is toxic to sperm. It also effects the shape of the cervix so a fertilized egg has no where to grow. It does not alter periods, prevent ovulation or need to be changed regularly. It can be used for up to 12 years. Copper IUDs may cause a bit of discomfort to some people. (Copper is a conductor, and the nervous system just shoots electricity at each other all day--so if you've ever taken a chemistry course you may understand where the discomfort comes from)
Both require insertion by a clinician and can cost up to about $1,000 (usually about $850--you will need to check with your healthcare and insurance providers to see how much you would pay).
Although IUDs can last for years, they can be removed sooner if the user would like to become pregnant or is unhappy with it
They are one of the most expensive forms of contraception, but last longer and protect better. They have been proven to be just as effective as sterilization.
The Shot Depo-Provera
The shot is a form of hormonal birth control that uses the hormone progestin to prevent ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus. The shot is 99% effective at preventing pregnancies but does not protect against STDs/STIs
Each shot is effective for 12 weeks (3 months). After 12 weeks you must return to your physician for another shot, or you will be at risk for pregnancy.
Irregular bleeding is a common side effect within the first 12 weeks of taking the hormone as your body adjusts.
The Not-So-Recommended Forms of Birth Control But still handy when used with other methods
Spermicide
Spermicide just means "sperm Killer"
Uses Nonoxynol-9 to damage the sperm
When used alone, less than 75% effective
Can be irritating to the genitals
Can boost effectiveness of condom or diaphragm
Can cause lesions in vaginal wall (and thus increase the chance of contracting HIV or another STI)
Withdrawal
Very effective when done CORRECTLY
The issue is that many people do not know how to do it correctly
Pre-cum may sometimes contain sperm if there was sexual activity previously (do you go more than one round?)
It's free? But not very safe. Does not protect against STDs or STIs