Contraceptives are methods you use to avoid pregnancy, and they are only effective when used correctly. So, we’ll show you The best way to prevent pregnancy without harm.

What are the types of contraception?

It is recommended that, before choosing any method, you discuss contraceptive options with your partner and your doctor.

Contraceptive methods include:

  • Barrier methods: These methods prevent sperm from reaching the uterus. You should use a barrier method every time you have sexual intercourse.
  • Medications and hormonal methods: These methods rely on hormones to prevent the ovulation process or to change conditions inside the uterus and cervix. Some of these hormonal medications require daily use (short-acting), while others are inserted into the arm or uterus (long-acting) by your doctor.
  • Sterilization: It is a surgical procedure aimed at permanently preventing pregnancy. There are sterilization methods for men and others for women.
  • Fertility awareness: This method relies on natural methods of contraception, also known as natural family planning.
  • Emergency contraception: These methods provide additional protection against pregnancy in the event that the primary method fails. You can consider it the last “safety net” against pregnancy.
  • Abstinence: This is simply avoiding sex to prevent pregnancy.

The most famous and best method of contraception without harm

Choosing the best method of contraception without harm varies from one person to another, but among the most common methods are:

Birth control pills (93% effective with usual use)

What is it? They are among the most famous and best methods of preventing pregnancy without harm. They are pills that are taken daily, and are available in two main types: combined pills (containing estrogen and progestin) and pills containing only progestin (mini-pills). Birth control pills work by preventing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus.

Protection against sexually transmitted diseases: No.

Duration of use: One tablet daily.

Many people prefer birth control pills because they are non-invasive and help regulate the menstrual cycle (i.e. delay menstruation).

Forgetting to take the pills or taking them at irregular times reduces their effectiveness, so you must commit to taking them daily regularly. Birth control pills containing estrogen should be avoided by people with certain health conditions, including a history of blood clots, stroke, high blood pressure, migraines with aura, and smokers.

Contraceptive patch (92% effective with usual use)

What is it? It is a thin patch (such as “Zolan,” “Tuerla,” “Zafemi”) that is placed on the skin and releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. The patch is changed weekly for three weeks, then a week is left without a patch.

Protection against sexually transmitted diseases: No

Duration of use: The patch needs to be changed weekly

Some types may be less effective in people who weigh more than 90 kilograms. It may also cause skin irritation at the patch site. They share the same estrogen-related risks with birth control pills and the vaginal ring.

External condom (87% effective with usual use)

What it is: It is a thin covering worn over the penis during intercourse, to form a barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the egg.

Protection against sexually transmitted diseases: some, but not all (herpes, genital warts, syphilis, and chickenpox can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact).

Duration of use: For single use.

Latex condoms are the most common, but other options are available for those with latex allergies. It must be used correctly every time, stored properly, and not expired to ensure its effectiveness. Latex condoms may be damaged by oil-based lubricants, making them more likely to tear or break during use.

How do contraceptives work?

Depending on its “type,” contraceptives may:

  • Preventing sperm from reaching the egg.
  • Damaging sperm.
  • Preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg monthly.
  • Changing the lining of the uterus so that the fertilized egg does not attach to it.
  • Increasing the density of cervical mucus so that it is difficult for sperm to penetrate it.

How do I choose the best method?

The best contraceptive method is one that is safe, feels comfortable to use, and that you can use correctly at all times. The contraceptive method you choose may change over time. The following factors affect your choice:

  • Your age and health history.
  • Your desire to have children, the number of children you want to have, and the time at which you want to become pregnant.
  • The number of times you have sexual intercourse
  • Your religious beliefs and cultural customs.

What are the benefits of taking birth control pills?

Birth control pills are one of the most common methods of contraception. People use it to prevent pregnancy for the following reasons:

  • Ease of use, as it is enough to take one pill daily.
  • Highly effective, it prevents pregnancy by 99% when taken correctly.
  • It does not affect the spontaneity of intimate relationships, as there is no need to search for a method of contraception in times of desire.

It is possible to get pregnant shortly after stopping taking the pills, as most women who decide to have children become pregnant within a year of stopping taking them, and the same applies to women who are trying to get pregnant without using the pills.

In addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control pills offer other health benefits.

The pills help:

  • Reducing or regulating heavy menstruation.
  • Preventing anemia (by reducing heavy menstrual cycles).
  • Relieve menstrual pain and associated migraines. Relieves symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
  • Reducing hot flashes during perimenopause (before menopause).
  • Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  • Treatment of endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
  • Reducing the risk of ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and colon cancer.
  • Stopping excess hair growth (hirsutism) and treating acne.

Are there any side effects of taking birth control pills?

You may feel some side effects when you start taking birth control pills. These effects usually go away (or improve) after a few months. Possible side effects include:

  • Nausea.
  • Headache.
  • Irritability or mood swings.
  • Pain or swelling in the breast.
  • Light bleeding between menstrual periods (menstrual disorder).

Tell your doctor if you have side effects that do not improve. You may need to change the type of birth control pill.

Do birth control pills cause weight gain?

no. This question is often asked before starting to take the pills. Many studies have shown that birth control pills do not cause weight gain (or loss).

Are there any health risks to taking birth control pills?

Birth control pills are safe for most women. It is the most common method of contraception. These pills have been available for more than 60 years, which means there is a long history of them being used safely to prevent pregnancy.

A small percentage of women who take combined birth control pills (which contain estrogen) are more likely to develop these rare complications:

  • Deep vein thrombosis.
  • Pulmonary embolism.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Heart attack.
  • stroke.

Your doctor will discuss any concerns you have. He or she will talk to you about any potential risks of complications based on your medical history. Fortunately, most women who cannot use estrogen-containing birth control pills can safely take progestin-only pills.