Introduction to birth control

If a woman is sexually active and she is fertile and physically able to become pregnant, she needs to ask
herself, "Do I want to become pregnant now?" If her answer is "No," she must use some method of birth
control (contraception).
Terminology used to describe birth control methods include contraception, pregnancy prevention, fertility
control, and family planning. But no matter what the terminology, sexually active people can choose from
a variety of methods to reduce the possibility of their becoming pregnant. Nevertheless, no method of
birth control available today offers perfect protection against sexually transmitted infections (sexually
transmitted diseases, or STDs), except abstinence.
In simple terms, all methods of birth control are based on either preventing a man's sperm from reaching
and entering a woman's egg (fertilization) or preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the woman's
uterus (her womb) and starting to grow. New methods of birth control are being developed and tested all
the time. And what is appropriate for a couple at one point may change with time and circumstances.
Unfortunately, no birth control method, except abstinence, is considered to be 100% effective.

"Natural" methods of contraception

Natural methods of contraception are considered "natural" because they are not mechanical and not a
result of hormone manipulation. Instead, these methods require that a man and woman not have sexual
intercourse during the time when an egg is available to be fertilized by a sperm.
The fertility awareness methods (FAMs) are based upon knowing when a woman ovulates each month. In
order to use a FAM, it is necessary to watch for the signs and symptoms that indicate ovulation has
occurred or is about to occur.
On the average, the egg is released about 14 (plus or minus 2) days before a woman's next menstrual
period. But because the egg survives 3 to 4 days (6 to 24 hours after ovulation) and the sperm can live 48
to 72 hours (up to even 5 days in fertile mucus), the actual time during which a woman may become
pregnant is measured not in hours, not in days, but in weeks.
FAMS can be up to 98% effective, but they require a continuous and conscious commitment with
considerable monitoring and self-control. Although these methods were developed to prevent pregnancy,
they can equally well be used by a couple to increase fertility and promote

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REFERENCES:
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise: "Birth Control Choosing a Birth Control Method."
ACOG: "Birth Control."
ACOG: "Natural Family Planning."
American Pregnancy Association: "Fertility Awareness: Natural Family Planning."
American Pregnancy Association: "Withdrawal."
Jones R. Contraception, June 2009; vol 79: pp 407-410.
Nemours Foundation: "Birth Control: Spermicide."
ACOG: "Barrier Methods of Contraception."
Nemours Foundation: "Birth Control: Condom."

Nemours Foundation: "Diaphragm."

The National Women's Health Information Center: "Birth Control Methods."
Keoniger-Donohue, R. Women's Health Care: A Practical Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 2006; vol 5: pp 79-91.
ACOG: "Birth Control Pills."
WebMD Feature: "Comparing Birth Control Pill Types."
Nemours Foundation: "Birth Control: Birth Control Pill."
ACOG: "Hormonal Birth Control."
Nemours Foundation: "Birth Control: Birth Control Patch