Birth Control Types

There are basically two birth control types namely natural and artificial birth control. The natural birth control type pertains to methods without using any prescription medication and tools/gadgets to prevent pregnancy and relies only on natural techniques. The artificial birth control type involves medication and tools/gadgets or techniques to prevent pregnancy.

Whichever birth control type you choose should be given thought and should be consulted from a medical practitioner such as an OB-GYN. And remember that most birth control types help prevent pregnancy and they are not reliable methods of preventing STDs or sexually transmitted diseases.

For sexually active women, it is important to take caution at all times, especially if you are not planning to have a baby yet. Both birth control types have their own failure rates, so it is essential to take a pregnancy test to be sure.

Natural birth control techniques

Natural Family Planning is also known as fertility awareness. There are no devices involved in this type of birth control. It uses the natural processes of the woman’s body as well as the menstrual cycle to calculate her ovulation.

Body temperature and cervical mucus changes are the most common factors that are monitored when using this method of natural birth control. Natural family planning also requires cyclic abstinence [around 7 to 10 days] during a woman’s ovulation cycle. To be safe, some women use a barrier method or practice withdrawal during this unsafe period.

Withdrawal method does not guarantee safe sex, as well as zero pregnancy after sex. This method involved the withdrawal or removal of the penis from the woman’s vagina prior to ejaculation.
Abstinence is a 100% effective means of preventing pregnancy and STDs because it pertains to no sex at all for a certain period of time. It is voluntarily refraining from any sexual contact with one’s partner.

Artificial birth control techniques

Barrier methods/devices are categorized are artificial birth control types and methods since these techniques utilize devices to prevent pregnancy.
Condom – for males and females help prevent the sperm from penetrating a woman’s egg. The condom also helps prevent STDs especially when used properly.
Spermicides – may come in foam, foaming tablets, vaginal suppositories and jelly. These are sperm-killing agents that are made of chemicals.
Cervical Cap – is a cup-like latex or plastic that is filled with spermicide and then inserted into the woman’s vagina, over the cervix.
Diaphragm – is made of soft rubber dome [filled with spermicide] that is stretched over an elastic ring. It is inserted into the woman’s vagina and placed over her cervix a few hours (not longer than 3 hours) before intercourse.
Sponge – is a soft device made of polyutherane foam and it is shaped like a small saucer.

Hormonal methods usually work to either:

prevent the woman's ovaries from releasing an egg every month
cause the woman's cervical mucus to thicken to prevent the sperm from reaching and penetrating the egg
thin the uterine lining to reduce the likelihood of a fertilized egg to be implanted on the uterus wall

Types of hormonal methods:

Birth control pills – are taken each day as prescribed by the doctor or OB-GYN.
Depo-povera – is an injectable medication given to women and administered by a medical practitioner. It prevents pregnancy for 3 months.
NuvaRing/Vaginal ring – is inserted into the woman’s vagina for 3 weeks. It is a flexible device that releases hormones- estrogen and progesterone- to help prevent pregnancy.
Lunelle – is also an injectable medication given to women and administered by a medical practitioner. It prevents pregnancy for 1 month.
IUD or intrauterine device – a plastic device which contains copper or hormones. It is inserted into the woman’s uterus by a medical practitioner. IUD does not prevent the sperm from entering the uterus, but it changes the cervical mucus to prevent pregnancy.
Ortho Evra patch or birth control patch – is a small hormonal patch which is applied directly onto the woman’s skin. The first 3 weeks, the patch is placed on the woman’s buttocks, upper arm or hip. On the 4th week, the patch is removed and the woman is free from it during this period to allow menstruation.

Sterilization works for both men and women. It is a process of permanently preventing the woman’s egg from reaching the uterus or the man’s sperm from reaching the woman’s uterus during intercourse.
Women – The sterilization method for women is called tubal ligation. It is the process of closing the woman’s fallopian tubes.
Men – The sterilization for men is called vasectomy. It is the process of closing the vas deferens of the tubes which carry the sperm.

Deciding on which birth control types will suit women are still subject to recommendation and approval from a medical practitioner. It is always essential to discuss the pros and cons of each birth control type and method to maximize its effectivity and benefits.

Birth control types usually undergo a trial-and-error to allow which technique will suit the woman [or man] the most.

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Understanding Birth Control Types Recommended Resources:

Oregon State University

University of Minnesota